It was on the occasion of the World Book and Copy Right Day on 23rd April 2003, twelve senior citizens assembled in the house of Er Karunakar Supakar and decided to set up a modern library to cater to the growing needs of the book lovers of Sambalpur City. Accordingly, they formed a society named “Sambalpur Public Library”, signed a memorandum, adopted a Bye-Law and formed an Executive Committee with the following members.
1. Prof. Aditya Prasad Padhi Chairman
2. Sri Raghunath Mishra Member Secretary
3. Late Sarat Narayan Behera, Member
4. Late Balakrushna Kara Member
5. Shri Bhagabat Prasad Nanda Member
6. Er. Karunakar Supkar Member
7. Late Khirod Prasad Mishra Member
8. Late Biranchi Narayan Pati Member
9. Late Dilip Kumar Padhi Member
10. Shri Arabinda Mohapatra Member
11. Shri Arjun Ranjan Panda Member
12. Dr. Narayani Panda Member
Chairman, Advisory Board, Late Prafulla Kumar Pati.
Chairman Social Audit, Late Prof. Durga Prasad Nayak.
The bye-law delineating the aims, objective and organisational structure of the library was submitted to District Authority for Registration. It was registered under the Societies Registration Act,1860 on 22-05-2003 with Registration No.SBL-5771-7 of 2003-2004. Copies of Registration Certificate , Bye–law and Memorandum are enclosed. Annexure-I , Annexure-II, Annexure-III, The Library was formally inaugurated on 29.05.2003 in the Auditorium of G.M. College. Late Prof. P.K Pati was in the Chair, Prof. Durga Prasad Nayak was the Chief Speaker. Sri G.K Dhal, IAS, Revenue Divisional Commissioner (Northern Division), and Sri S.K Sarangi, IAS, District Magistrate and Collector were Chief Guest and Guest of Honour respectively. The library functioned in the house of Prof. A P Padhi and periodic meetings were held in a local hotel till the Library got its own building.
The Library applied for government land and was allotted 0.150 decimals which was later on changed to Ac. 0.050 decimals. Formal Lease Deed was signed on 05.08.2005 and Patta issued on 17.08.2005. Sakuntala-Bidyadhar Trust funded towards the cost of land paid to the government. The Library owes gratitude to Dr. Saheb Sahu of the Trust for his generosity. Sambalpur Development Authority approved the building plan on 08.12.2005. Sri A K Dalwai laid foundation stone of the building on 12.04-2006, I.A.S., Revenue Divisional Commissioner (Northern Division) in the presence of Sri Vishal Gagan, I.A.S, Collector, The building plan was finalized in consultation with the State Architect and the State Public Works Department (Northern Division) Sambalpur was entrusted with the construction of the building. Construction started in 2009 and completed in 2012. Internationally renowned poet Padmashree Jayant Mahapatra inaugurated the building on 02.04.2012. Sri K.C Barik, I.A.S., Revenue Divisional Commissioner (Northern Division) presided over the function.
LIBRARY BUILDING
A Three Storied Building has been constructed with the following grant:-
From MP LAD of- Sri Prasanna Acharya- 4.00 lakhs
Sushree Pramila Bohidar- 8.00 Lakhs
Sri Amarnanth Pradhan- 3.00 Lakhs
Sri Kishor Mohanty- 5.00 Lakhs
From MLA LAD of Sri Jayanarayan Mishra- 5.00 Lakhs
Other sources- MCL. P.D. Funds- 15.00 Lakhs
Western Odisha Development Council- 22.59 Lakhs
MCL PD Funds for Reading -Learning Hall & Lift 45.00 Lakhs
TOTAL: 107.59 Lakhs
Dr. Narayani Panda Hall of Excellence on the 3rd floor 10.00 Lakhs
GRAND TOTAL 117.57 Lakhs
We are very much grateful and thank our MPs, MLA, MCL Authorities and WODC, Chairman and Dr. Narayani Panda. The library at present consists of one big hall with library and reading room, one conference room, one computer lab, one reception hall, one office room, Children’s Corner with toilet facilities both for ladies and gents. There is lift facilitated senior members to move to the 1st and 2nd floors.