Panaji: The Goa state central library, renowned for its mobile “library-on-wheels” bus, is planning to expand its outreach with two new mobile library vans—one each for North and South Goa—to serve remote areas and govt schools with fewer students.The library operates one bus, which was established under a corporate social responsibility initiative. While popular among students and local communities, officials said it needs to extend services to more villages and smaller schools unreachable by the large bus.“A proposal to govt for procuring the new vans is in the works,” said Sulaksha Kolmule, curator of the Goa state central library. “We require at least one in the north and another in the south. These will be smaller, lighter vehicles, not full-size buses. The proposal will be submitted this year itself, and we are hopeful that funds will be allocated once approved,” Kolmule told TOI.The vans will supplement the existing buses to cover areas with limited access to books and educational resources.Kolmule also said the mobile vans will have an updated collection.“The mobile library programme helped nurture a reading culture across Goa, especially among students in govt schools and villages with limited library access,” she said.“This year, the library added several new books, with further additions planned for 2026. The collection spans fiction, non-fiction, history, and competitive exam guides, catering to diverse readers, including students preparing for examinations,” Kolmule said.
