Archive · 20 Sep 2025
West Bengal Libraries Face Decline; Court Calls for Action
Public libraries in West Bengal are disappearing, leading to problems with education.
Many libraries are closed or falling apart.
This is affecting kids' learning because they don't have access to books and resources.
Fewer students are going to school, and kids are reading less well.
The government isn't doing enough to help.
The Supreme Court is asking the government to create more libraries, especially digital ones, to help improve education and make it accessible for all.
Public libraries across West Bengal are declining due to neglect and lack of resources.
Student enrollment in schools decreased between 2018 and 2024.
Reading proficiency is declining among students.
Limited digital use for education compared to social media.
The Supreme Court is pushing for more libraries to be built in rural areas.
- Who
- West Bengal residents and students
- What
- Decline of public libraries in West Bengal, impacting education.
- When
- Significant issues highlighted in 2024; Supreme Court heard a case in April 2025
- Where
- West Bengal
- Why
- Neglect, lack of resources, and the decline in reading and education
- State Libraries
- West Bengal has 2,480 libraries, only 13 government-run
- Enrollment Decline
- School enrollment decreased from 2018 to 2024
- Reading Proficiency
- Declining reading proficiency in students
- Digital Use
- 40% of 14-year-olds used mobile phones for education
- Mobile Ownership Gap
- 19% of boys vs. 9% of girls own mobile phones
- Supreme Court Direction
- Calls for setting up libraries by gram panchayats