FENI, Feb 24: Bhasha Shaheed Salam Library and Memorial Museum at Salam Nagar Village in Dagonbhuiyan Upazila of the district are lying neglected.
Only on different occasions including International Mother Language Day, the library and the museum are made fit for events.
The library has almost been zero of readers and visitors because of no new inclusion of books. During July-August flood, the museum got sunk and books got bulged.
In 2008, to keep memory of Shaheed Abdus Salam, the museum and the library were established in demand of locals. Later on, people from different areas started to come to visit these.
One librarian-cum-caretaker appointed by Feni Zilla Parishad on master roll has been frustrated due to lack of readers and visitors.
A recent visit found different books of history, freedom fighting, literature, religion, poems and novels in the Almirah; but most of these books have been old. After 2018, new books were not included.
A local Md Masud Ahmed said, "We come to read books. But we don't get encouraged because of old books."
A local school teacher Rahim Ullah said, in the absence of light, visitors don't come in the evening; besides, readers and visitors also hesitate to come because of broken road.
Librarian Lutfur Rahman Bablu said, as the memory of Bhasha Shaheed there is only one picture; the library remains reader less for almost whole year. Flood damaged seven Almirahs. Bulged books were dried under the sun. Authorities concerned were informed, but they didn't take any initiative to repair these.
Dagonbhuiyan Upazila Nirbahi Officer S.M. Azharul Islam said, the matter has been informed to the authorities; an initiative has been taken to develop the library and the road; other necessary measures will be taken soon.
Chief Executive Officer of Feni Zilla Parishad Golam Md Baten said, "I have inspected the museum and the library. Damaged shelves, Almirahs and furniture will be replaced soon. In future the library will be turned into a digital one."
Locals sought cooperation from the government for maintenance of the museum and making it mass people-oriented.
