Paradip, April 24: Even as the world was busy celebrating World Book Day on Saturday, a public library in the port town remained out of bounds for book lovers. Authorities have locked up the library ever since it was set up by the Paradip urban local body four years ago.

Books and study materials worth lakh have been gathering dust as the library’s “locked-up” status has not allowed many people to indulge in their hobby.

“The library continues to wear a deserted look as not many local residents are aware of its existence. Little has been done to promote the library or to attract passionate readers, including youngsters. It is due to the indifference of civic body authorities that people here have been unable to explore the library,” said Dipti Prakash Pattnaik, a regular reader of a privately-run library in Paradip.

Books worth over Rs 8 lakh were purchased for the library with funds from the urban local body, but has hardly been used so far.

“We have tried visiting the reading room on a few occasions, only to find it locked up all the time. I don’t think the library has been thrown open to the public even after four years of its establishment,” said Sarat Rout, a visitor.

Local residents feel the library would serve as a great asset for book lovers and therefore should start functioning from scratch

“Newspapers, periodicals and magazines could be purchased to attract students preparing for various competitive examinations,” said Binoy Ray, a resident of Paradipgada on the outskirts of the port town.

Literary critic Pitambar Tarai said locking up the library speaks of the insensibility of the civic authorities. He added that several literacy pieces were lying inside cartons. “The rest are gathering dust in library’s almirahs. Despite being located in the heart of the port town, it has failed to attract readers. It is not being professionally managed and the authorities seem least bothered,” remarked Tarai.

Executive officer of Paradip municipality Surath Mallick said the library has failed to operate properly due to a number of reasons and the very purpose for which it was set up in 2007 stands defeated.

“We are trying our best to run it in an efficient manner and to promote reading habit among the people. Soon, we will put up hoardings at various places to appeal to the people to explore the various books and study materials which are now lying unused in the library,” said Mallick.