Bihar’s ‘didi libraries’ promote reading habit among children in villages

The Bihar government has launched the "Didi ki library" initiative to cultivate a reading habit among children in rural areas. The program, established under Jeevika, has opened over 100 community libraries across 32 districts, with the first one inaugurated by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in Singheshwar.
Additionally, Community Library and Career Development Centres (CLCDCs) have been established in many blocks of the state to serve as study centers for various courses recognized by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and promote education in rural children. According to Jeevika's CEO Rahul Kumar, the 100 CLCDCs have a total of 12,318 registered members, with about 80% being girls.
The libraries offer textbooks, e-books, notes, and materials for various higher education entrance exams, and the buildings used for CLCDCs are equipped with a hall, study room, and a physical and digital library-cum-office. The library has been well-received by residents, with one Singheshwar resident stating that it is particularly helpful for girls who were previously unable to study properly at home.