Dhaka-A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Tuesday between Public Library Department and British Council for turning 30 libraries, including the Central Public Library, into digital and e-libraries.Public Library Department Director General Ashish Kumar Sarker and British Council Country Director Barbara Wickham signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.
According to the MoU signed for the next five years, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) will give financial support to digitalise the libraries under British Council’s ‘Libraries Unlimited’ project.
Under the project, 30 libraries will be turned into digital and e-libraries under an 18-month pilot project at a cost of $1.8 million (Tk 14.40 crore).
The development plans for the next phase will be determined based on the results of the pilot phase.
The BMGF is likely to provide $3-3.5 million (24-28 crore) if the pilot phase’s outcomes are satisfactory.
Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor, ministry secretary Aktari Mamtaz and additional secretary M Monjurur Rahman were, among others, present at the MoU signing ceremony.
