Higher Education Minister Roji M. John on Monday (July 20) said the library movement should play an active role in reconnecting the younger generation with society and help guide them away from the “prison of algorithms” towards institutions of knowledge.Inaugurating the new headquarters building of the Kasaragod District Library Council at Melankot near Kanhangad, the Minister said public programmes in Kerala had witnessed a significant decline in participation among people aged between 18 and 50. He stressed the need to bring young people back into mainstream social activities for the State’s overall social progress.Recalling the role played by young people during the 2018 floods and the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minister said Kerala had witnessed how the younger generation stood at the forefront during times of crisis. He also recalled the contribution of P.N. Panicker, whose efforts through the library movement helped drive Kerala’s renaissance.The headquarters building of the Kasaragod District Library Council was constructed at a cost of ₹1 crore.During the function, Kerala State Library Council Secretary V.K. Madhu inaugurated the office of the Hosdurg Taluk Library Council. State Library Council President Dharmaraj Adat inaugurated the Vidwan K.K. Nair Hosdurg Taluk Library, established in memory of K.K. Nair, one of the pioneers of the library movement in North Kerala. Published - July 20, 2026 07:56 pm IST