The Gandaki Province Government has provided grants to 15 community and public libraries to upgrade them.
The Ministry of Social Development, Youth, and Sports of Gandaki Province allocated a budget of NPR 3.7 million in the current fiscal year under the Library Upgrading Grant Program.
According to ministry official Hira Bahadur Thapa Magar, seven libraries received NPR 300,000 each, while eight libraries were awarded NPR 200,000 each. The allocated budget is now being implemented, with monitoring and payment procedures. The ministry has been offering such grants annually to improve libraries across the province.
Libraries are selected for grants based on set criteria, including official registration, regular operation, annual work plans, and institutional governance. Only those libraries that meet these standards are considered eligible.
Last year, the total distributed grant amounted to NPR 3 million, which was increased to NPR 3.7 million this year. The grant is intended to be used for purchasing books, furniture, and information technology equipment.
The overarching goal is to develop libraries into community learning centers that strengthen Gandaki Province’s identity by managing reading materials related to geography, history, art, literature, culture, and tourism.
Libraries receiving grants this year include:
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Kaski: Dipshikha, Pokhara Public Library, Himalaya Library
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Baglung: Vidyamandir
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Syangja: Kalika, Laxmi Smriti, Arjunchoupari
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Lamjung: Laxminarayan, Bhoteodar
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Mustang: Thak
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Tanahun: Sindhu
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Gorkha: Tribhuwan
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Nawalpur: Shivashakti, Navkshitij, and Phoolbari Community Library and Resource Centers
