"Though the reading habit has increased, the number of libraries has been declining. It is important to identify the reasons for this and make an active intervention to revive the library culture," he said while inaugurating a two-day national seminar organised by the Kerala State Library Council here.
Noting that libraries used to be not just reading centres but the hub of community cultural activities in the past, he said their decline had affected amateur theatre in Kerala.
"It is important that good dramas are written and staged. As community cultural centres, libraries can play an important role in the revival of drama," he said.
Participants from different states are attending the seminar titled "Libraries-the changing profile" and making presentations on experiences from their regions.
Kerala State Library Council president P K Harikumar presided over the function.