Andhra Pradesh Education, IT, and Electronics Minister Nara Lokesh on Monday (September 22) announced that a world-class State Central Library, built to international standards at a cost of ₹150 crore, will be completed in Amaravati within 24 months.Replying to questions in the Assembly from MLAs Mandali Buddha Prasad, Palle Sindhura Reddy, and Ganababu on the development of libraries and cess dues, Mr. Lokesh said efforts are underway to upgrade library infrastructure and preserve manuscripts. He noted that Sobha Developers has come forward with a ₹100-crore donation for library development, and that donor support will be utilized to modernize facilities.The Minister said a ₹20-crore model library is being set up in Visakhapatnam, while another in Mangalagiri constituency is in the final stage and will be inaugurated in October. He announced plans to establish model libraries in all 175 Assembly constituencies and district libraries in all 26 districts, compared to the 13 currently functional.On library cess collections, Mr. Lokesh said only 40% was recovered in 2022–23, 45% in 2023–24, and 52% so far this year. The government is working with the Panchayat Raj and Municipal Administration departments to improve collections.Highlighting initiatives to promote reading habits among children, he said community activities and digital libraries are being planned, with a dedicated app set to launch within 100 days. Libraries will also stock a wide range of books for competitive examinations.Mr. Lokesh assured that, with members’ suggestions and donor support, Andhra Pradesh would develop libraries that stand as a model for the entire country. Published - September 22, 2025 03:25 pm IST