Ali Arif Piracha
In an age dominated by smartphones, social media, and instant access to information, public libraries are often treated as outdated institutions. In Pakistan, however, the decline of public libraries represents more than a shift in how people consume information; it reflects a failure to provide students with accessible spaces for learning. For thousands of students, particularly those who do not have quiet study environments at home, libraries can provide the resources, atmosphere, and discipline necessary for academic success. Yet many public libraries remain underfunded, poorly maintained, and disconnected from the needs of modern students. One of the biggest problems facing public libraries is the limited availability of updated educational resources. Students preparing for examinations often require current textbooks, reference materials, academic journals, and reliable sources of information. However, many libraries continue to rely heavily on outdated books and collections that have not been regularly expanded. While the internet provides access to an enormous amount of information, not all students have reliable devices, fast internet connections, or the ability to distinguish trustworthy information from unreliable sources. A properly maintained library could bridge this gap by providing both physical and digital resources in one accessible location.
The decline of libraries is also connected to the lack of suitable study spaces for students. Not every student has access to a quiet room at home where they can concentrate for several hours. Crowded households, household responsibilities, and constant distractions can make studying difficult. Libraries provide an environment specifically designed for concentration, allowing students to separate themselves from the distractions of everyday life. When these spaces are neglected or unavailable, students lose an important resource that cannot simply be replaced by studying online.
Another issue is that many libraries have failed to adapt to the changing needs of young people. A modern library does not have to be limited to shelves of books and silent reading rooms. Libraries can offer computers, internet access, digital databases, group study areas, academic workshops, and educational events. By combining traditional resources with modern technology, libraries could become active learning centres rather than simply places where old books are stored. The failure to modernize these institutions has made them increasingly irrelevant to a generation that expects information to be accessible digitally.
The government therefore needs to reconsider the role that public libraries play in education. Investment should focus not only on constructing new buildings but also on maintaining existing libraries, updating their collections, improving internet access, and creating spaces designed around students’ needs. Partnerships with schools, universities, publishers, and private
organizations could also help libraries obtain new educational resources without placing the entire financial burden on the government.
Ultimately, the decline of public libraries is not simply a consequence of technological progress. It is also the result of failing to adapt valuable public institutions to a changing society. Technology should complement libraries rather than make them irrelevant. If Pakistan wants to provide students with equal opportunities to learn, it must ensure that access to knowledge does not depend entirely on whether a student has a quiet home, a personal computer, or a reliable internet connection. Reviving public libraries could therefore be a relatively simple but meaningful step toward creating a more accessible educational environment.
The Writer is Bio: A student from Aitchison College in class A2.
