KABUL (Pajhwok): The Ministry of Information and Culture (MoIC) has said that membership of Afghanistan’s public libraries in the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) committees on library digitisation, archiving and research could strengthen coordination with member states, particularly in enhancing library development.
World Book and Copyright Day is observed on 23 April in several countries worldwide. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated the day in 1995.
MoIC spokesman Khubaib Ghufran said such membership would improve cooperation with member countries and support the development of libraries.
He added that the ministry has launched various initiatives to promote a culture of reading and organised dozens of academic seminars and conferences across the country last year, benefiting thousands of participants.
He stated that 106 public libraries are currently operational in the country, while dozens of private libraries also function under the ministry’s supervision.
Ghufran said that more than 180 rare and valuable books have been digitised to preserve them and make them accessible to the public.
According to him, the Books Evaluation Commission reviewed 370 titles last year and granted approval for their publication.
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