The Ministry of Cultural Affairs has relaunched the Mobile Library Project to expand access to books and library services across the country.

The third phase of the Mobile Library Project aims to reach communities in various districts through specially equipped library vehicles, offering books, educational materials, and other library services, according to a press release issued by the ministry on 10 February.

Bishwo Shahitto Kendro founder Abdullah Abu Sayeed speaking at the third phase inauguration of the mobile library project at the Bangladesh National Museum on 9 February, 2026. Photo: Ministry of Cultural Affairs

The initiative is implemented by the Department of Public Libraries (DPL), with the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro (BSK) as the implementation partner.

The Ministry of Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki inaugurated the relaunch yesterday (9 February), joined by Abdullah Abu Sayeed, founder of BSK, and Md Mofidur Rahman, additional secretary of the Ministry.

Starting in 1999, the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro mobile library programme had operated for 25 years to enhance the nation’s intellectual and cultural capabilities.

The programme operated 76 vehicles, serving 3,200 areas nationwide, essentially acting as small libraries having approximately 500,000 regular and irregular readers before an official press release on 28 December 2024 announced a temporary halt to the programme which started in the early 2025.