Udupi: Pramod Madhwaraj, Minister for Fisheries, Youth Empowerment and Sports, said on Thursday that a digital library would be established in the new District Central Library building being constructed at Ajjarkad here at a cost of 5 crore.

He was speaking after inaugurating the three-day workshop for library supervisors organized by the Department of Public Libraries, District Central Library and Raja Ram Mohan Roy Library Foundation, here.

Mr. Madhwaraj said the building will also have a training centre which will prepare the youth for competitive exams, including those conducted by the Union Public Service Commission and the State Public Service Commission.

Rapid technological changes were taking place. It had now become essential for people to be updated with technological changes and improve their skills. Only then their employment prospects will improve. Hence, the government was giving training to library supervisors in all districts, Mr. Madhwaraj said.

Satishkumar S. Hosamani, Director, Department of Public Libraries, said the main objective of a library was to promote book culture. The intention of the workshop was to expose the library supervisors to digitalization of libraries. Another objective was to train these supervisors to attract people to libraries.

There are 5,766 government libraries in the gram panchayats of the State, while there are 30 in district headquarters, besides 26 city libraries, 31 community libraries. Efforts are on to start 30 Braille corners in select libraries. About 4,000 audio books will be provided to the libraries, he said.

Meenakshi Bannanje, President of Udupi City Municipal Council, Nalini Rao, President of Udupi Taluk Panchayat, G. Anuradha, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Shivanand Kapasi, CEO of Zilla Panchayat, were present.

Nalini G.I., Chief Librarian, District Central Library, welcomed the gathering. Shakuntala Kundar proposed a vote of thanks.