A comprehensive guideline handbook for mobile library services was formally introduced, accompanied by a training workshop for officials, in conjunction with the 'Arunu Dora' National Reading Promotion Program and the Clean Sri Lanka mobile library vehicle distribution ceremony. The workshop was jointly organized by the Provincial Councils and Local Government Department of the Western Provincial Council, the National Library and Documentation Services Board, and the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat.
The guidelines underscore the vital importance of community engagement to ensure the sustainability of mobile library operations. Principal recommendations include establishing community library committees and enlisting volunteers. Effective promotion strategies outlined encompass public address announcements, social media campaigns, and tailored events targeting schools, adults, three wheeler drivers, and individuals with special needs. Local Government institutions are mandated to implement services via a structured schedule, covering each area at least once weekly.
Technical resources and expertise were contributed by Mr. Mihira Aravinda, Assistant Director of the National Library and Documentation Services Board.
Furthermore, books valued at over Rs. 5 million were distributed to equip the 10 mobile library vehicles serving the 10 beneficiary Local Government institutions. Looking ahead, the 'Arunu Dora' program anticipates developing active reader communities across every city and suburb in the coming years, through modernizing existing libraries, constructing new facilities, upgrading infrastructure, supplying digital tools, and delivering targeted community initiatives to cultivate a enduring passion for reading.