Dharmapasha Public Library Remains Shut for a Decade as Officials Announce Renovation Efforts

The only public library in Dharmapasha Upazila, Sunamganj, has remained shuttered for over a decade, depriving students, educators, and the local community of access to literature and educational resources. The facility, which stands adjacent to the Upazila Parishad complex, currently sits in a state of neglect, with its doors padlocked, its signage missing, and its exterior overtaken by overgrown vegetation.

Established in 1993 through the initiative of former Upazila Executive Officer Hafizur Rahman Bhuiyan and local residents, the library was once a vibrant hub for intellectual engagement. Over the years, however, the institution has been crippled by a cycle of natural disasters and administrative mismanagement.

The library first ceased operations following severe flooding in 2004, which damaged its collection and furniture. Although the Upazila administration reopened the facility in 2007 after repairs, it faced another setback in 2008 when over 800 valuable books and various pieces of furniture were stolen, leading to another period of closure.

In December 2013, members of the local cultural organization, Dharmapasha Sahitya Parishad, held a hunger strike to demand the library’s reopening. While the facility was briefly restored, a cyclone in 2014 destroyed part of the roof. Subsequent rainfall damaged more than 500 books, and the building has remained closed since that time.

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Local residents and students have expressed deep frustration over the prolonged closure. Yadul Islam, an HSC candidate at Dharmapasha Government Degree College, emphasized the critical need for a functional public library to support academic and personal development. School teacher Bodiul Islam, a resident of the Natunpara area, echoed this sentiment, lamenting that the space, which once fostered a thriving culture of reading, has become nothing more than a memory.

Anisul Haque, president of the Dharmapasha Sahitya Parishad, criticized the persistent lack of administrative interest in reviving the facility, noting that the stolen books and property from previous years were never recovered.

Responding to the ongoing concerns, Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Joni Roy stated that efforts to restore the library are finally underway. According to Roy, government-funded renovation work commenced two weeks ago. The administration plans to convene a meeting with educators, political leaders, and community representatives to address the library’s remaining operational challenges and ensure its long-term viability.