By Zareef Muzammil
PETALING JAYA, July 16 — Selangor’s public library no longer serves as a haven only for bookworms and has now changed its role to reflect the times, says Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
The Menteri Besar said, for example, the knowledge hub had played an important role when the floods struck the state at the end of last year as it had functioned as an evacuation centre for the flood victims.
He said that the Selangor Public Library Corporation (PPAS) had also provided reading materials to children of the frontliners as well as those placed at the Covid-19 quarantine centres during the pandemic.
“Since 2008, our perception has changed, and now we believe that the library welcomes everyone from young children to older folks and is not only a hangout for antisocial people who are only friends with books.
“(The library) accumulates current requirements that would be remembered by all. It revitalises the library’s role as a hub for the advancement of civilisation and the growth of the nation,” he said in conjunction with the PPAS Golden Jubilee celebration and the settlement of laureates at the Hotel Le’Meridien, here, last night
Amirudin said that the state administration is stepping up efforts to entice the public to visit the knowledge centre, including exploring the field of literature.
“We (Selangor) are an inclusive state that strives to ensure that no one is left behind Our strength is not only measured in terms of economic growth and welfare, but also in terms of how well we can engage the people’s minds and hearts (with knowledge).
“Therefore, if we want to (know about) poetry, we would engage poetry readers… we would invite friends among authors, artists and writers,” he said.
