The historic Sivasagar District Library took a new digital leap on Friday with the inauguration of its state-of-the-art revamped version, now renamed “Gyankush.” The new library building was inaugurated by Sivasagar District Commissioner Aayush Garg.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the DC described the modern facility as a gift to the district’s young learners and future generations. “The new library is dedicated to the student community and the new generation. Gyankush will serve not just as a library but as a digital bridge connecting 150 smaller libraries spread across schools and villages in the district,” the DC said.
The revamped facility boasts a multi-modal, interconnected system designed to improve accessibility to reading materials and digital resources. The DC mentioned that students preparing for competitive examinations would particularly benefit from the upgraded infrastructure, which includes specialised reading sections, internet connectivity, and learning materials tailored for exam preparation.
Highlighting the alignment of the project with the government’s literary mission, Garg said, “The Assam Government has declared 2025 as the Year of Books, and we are happy that we could complete this project in the same year.”
The new library underwent a massive transformation with 70,000 previously uncatalogued books now properly catalogued. Moreover, 1,000 new titles have already been added, and another 1,000 titles are set to join the collection soon.
Funded primarily through contributions from Numaligarh Refinery Ltd (NRL) and the District Mineral Fund, the project cost about Rs 30 lakh. The DC expressed his gratitude to all supporting agencies and emphasszed that real success lies not only in the infrastructure but in its purpose.
“Creating state-of-the-art infrastructure is not a big thing, its proper utilisation will determine its success,” he remarked.
Beyond books and digital resources, the library has ambitious plans for community-led innovation. Garg announced the upcoming launch of a new FM radio station named “Radio Sivasagar,” to be managed and operated by readers and students. The initiative aims to “encourage expression, creativity, and participation among the youth of Sivasagar,” he said.
