There is no substitute for books, especially for students, though they are elementary source of knowledge, wisdom, information, joy and entertainment.
This was stated by Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) Vice Chancellor Dr Masoom Yasinzai while inaugurating the National Book Foundation’s mobile library, titled ‘Books on Wheels’ at the university campus on Wednesday.
The Travellers Book Club is becoming a popular phenomenon in the city and the vehicles can be seen parked outside colleges, universities, public parks and markets.
People come to read and buy books at the mobile reading facility providing ‘books at their doorsteps.’
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had inaugurated the NBF’s Travellers Book Club earlier on February 27th.
The two mobile libraries, a bus and a smaller vehicle, will provide reading facilities to the students of the university on Thursday and Friday.
Students, faculty members and the general public can also buy books from the mobile facility on a 15-20 percent discount, says a press release issued by the NBF.
A large number of students of various university departments visited the reading club and picked up books of their choice.
Books on poetry, fiction, history, philosophy, education, religion, children and women are on display. The interior of the vehicles is carpeted and one can also sit on the sofas inside the bus.
Appreciating the NBF’s endeavors for the promotion of the reading culture in the society, Dr Yasinzai said everyone should support such book-friendly initiatives.
“I personally believe that by resorting to books, we can confront the forces of ignorance, extremism and obscurantism,” said the vice chancellor. “We are trying our level best to promote book reading culture at our university,” he said. Our central library, Dr Raziuddin Siddiqui Memorial Library (DRSML) is also well-equipped with around 200,000 books.”
He hoped the NBF would keep sending its “books on wheels” to the university.
Dean of Natural Sciences Dr Qaisar Mushtaq and Department of Economics chairperson Dr Aliya H Khan were also present on the occasion.
The NBF was represented by Sales Deputy Director Murad Ali Mohmand.
