Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s recent announcement that the National Book Trust (NBT) will spearhead the implementation of central schemes to strengthen the library movement in Jammu and Kashmir is a welcome and timely step. At a time when we are grappling with a digital divide, limited educational infrastructure, and frequent disruptions due to a host of activities, libraries can play a transformative role in empowering students and reviving a culture of reading. For decades, public libraries in Jammu and Kashmir have suffered from neglect, lack of funding, and outdated resources. In many rural areas, children grow up without access to quality books outside their school textbooks. In urban centres too, libraries are either poorly maintained or underutilized. The entry of NBT—the country’s apex body for book promotion—could change that narrative by providing curated, age-appropriate, and multilingual reading material tailored to diverse student needs. This initiative is especially crucial given the recent data revealing that over 60% of school students in J&K lack access to digital learning tools at home. While technology-driven learning is the future, books remain the most accessible and inclusive medium for education, especially in rural and low-income households. Strengthening libraries ensures that students are not entirely dependent on smartphones or unreliable internet for acquiring knowledge. Moreover, a strong library movement can enhance students’ critical thinking, language skills, and creativity. Exposure to a wide variety of books—fiction, non-fiction, reference material, biographies—can spark curiosity and broaden their worldview. For Jammu and Kashmir, with our diverse cultural and linguistic heritage, well-stocked libraries can also serve as repositories of local literature and knowledge, helping young readers connect with their roots. The involvement of NBT also brings the possibility of mobile libraries, book fairs, and reading festivals—initiatives that can reach far-flung areas and rekindle interest in reading among the youth. Libraries can double up as safe, community-centric learning spaces where students come not just to read but to collaborate, explore, and grow. To maximize the impact, the government must ensure that the scheme is not limited to city centres. School libraries, village community centres, and panchayat buildings must be part of the rollout. Teacher-librarians should be trained, and students encouraged to participate through reading challenges, storytelling sessions, and book clubs. The revival of libraries through NBT is not just about books—it’s about building a stronger intellectual foundation for Jammu and Kashmir. It is an investment in a more informed, imaginative, and empowered generation. If implemented with vision and inclusivity, this initiative could turn a new page in our educational journey.