Shaheed Muktijoddha Jagatjyoti Public Library remains Sunamganj’s enduring lighthouse of knowledge, culture and community engagement. Photo : BSS

SUNAMGANJ, April 30, 2026 (BSS)- The Shaheed Muktijoddha Jagatjyoti Public Library in Sunamganj stands as one of the district’s most prominent social and cultural institutions, widely regarded as a “lighthouse of knowledge” that continues to illuminate literary and intellectual life in the region.

Renowned for its deep-rooted contribution to education, literature and cultural practice, the library has long served as a hub for writers, students and researchers in a district often described as a fertile ground for literature and Baul music.

Historical records show that the institution’s journey began on June 17, 1959, following an evening meeting chaired by then Sub-Divisional Officer B R Nizam. 

The meeting formally approved the establishment of a public library, with Monoranjan Chowdhury serving as its first general secretary. Several distinguished personalities of the time-including Mofiz Chowdhury, Abu Hanifa Ahmed (Nawab Mia), M H Chowdhury, Nazir Uddin, Hemchandra Chowdhury, A F M Abdul Ali, A K Sarkar, Suresh Chandra Acharya, Dewan Anwar Raja Chowdhury, Afaz Uddin Ahmed, Akshay Kumar Das and Latif Uddin Chowdhury were present at the founding discussion.

Advocate Humayun Majur Chowdhury, recalling the early days, said the idea of a library emerged from regular gatherings of local elites at the chairman’s office of the then local board. 

“From those discussions, the decision was taken, and the journey of this institution began. Even after six decades, it continues to spread light across the city,” he said at a recent discussion meeting.

Originally named the “Sunamganj Public Library,” the institution was renamed after Bangladesh’s independence as the “Shaheed Muktijoddha Jagatjyoti Library” in honour of guerrilla freedom fighter Jagatjyoti, a former student leader of Sunamganj Government College. 

Later, the title was finalized as “Shaheed Muktijoddha Jagatjyoti Public Library.”

Located just east of the Alfat Square, the library now houses a reading hall, administrative offices, a general secretary’s room, an air-conditioned auditorium, and a bookshop. 

The institution preserves around 30,000 books arranged in 54 book cabinets, along with newspapers, magazines and reference materials, including academic texts for undergraduate students.

The library has 758 members, including students, lifetime, donor and general members. 

Since 2014, its management committee has been elected for every two years, with the Deputy Commissioner serving as ex-officio president. Four staff members currently manage its daily operations.

General Secretary Advocate Khalilur Rahman said the continued public engagement with the library reflects its lasting relevance. “Even in the age of digital media, people still come here to read books and newspapers, and students seek academic support. This gives us great satisfaction,” he said.

The library also regularly hosts literary discussions, cultural programmes, and commemorations of Rabindra and Nazrul Jayanti, reinforcing its role as a vibrant centre of intellectual and cultural life in Sunamganj.