Libraries are a gateway to finding reliable information needed for everyday life, according to Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage Heena Waleed. She made the remarks in a social media post congratulating the National Library on its 81st anniversary and marking Maldives Library Day.
The National Library is the largest archive in the Maldives. It houses a wide range of books, including valuable publications documenting the history of the Maldivian people. Minister Heena said that libraries are institutions that play a vital role in building a knowledgeable and educated society. In addition to fostering a culture of reading and helping people achieve this important goal, she said libraries also serve as gateways to accessing the reliable information needed in daily life.
The Government is carrying out extensive efforts to preserve the country’s heritage and historical assets so they can be passed on to future generations. As part of these initiatives, work is under way to protect both the Maldives’ tangible and intangible cultural heritage across the country and to implement policies that enable heritage to contribute to economic development.
One of the National Library’s key ongoing projects is the establishment of modern libraries in cities to encourage learning and research among young people. As part of this initiative, the Government plans to establish National Library branches on every inhabited island. Work is also progressing to build National Library branches in Fuvahmulah City and Addu City as part of the programme to develop modern libraries across the country’s cities.
The National Library is the principal repository of the Maldives’ information resources, providing comprehensive information on the nation’s history, culture and the various research undertaken over the years. Important publications produced in the Maldives are preserved in the library. While the National Library already offers a wide range of services, the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Heritage is continuing efforts to expand and enhance those services further.