India will modernise and digitally link nearly 9,000 libraries across the country in a bid to provide readers access to books and information.

Addressing a function in New Delhi yesterday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that an ambitious plan under the National Mission for Libraries aims to cover libraries in cities, towns and villages of the country the next three years.

Noting that the Mission cannot succeed through government efforts alone, Dr Singh said resources available in the community, private sector and non-governmental organisations will have to be roped in to meet these objectives.

He said the Mission will focus on improvement of the public
library system of the country particularly concentrating on the states where library development is lagging behind.

Dr Singh urged every state government and municipality and panchayat to pay special attention to the setting up and maintenance of public libraries, including community, locality and village libraries.