Maharashtra Invites Entries for 2025-26 State Library Awards by September 25

The Directorate of Libraries, operating under the Maharashtra government’s Higher and Technical Education Department, has officially invited proposals for the 2025-26 State Library Awards. The initiative is aimed at encouraging the qualitative development of government-recognised public libraries and fostering a reading culture across the state.

Acting Director of Libraries Ashok Gadekar has appealed to eligible libraries, library movement activists, and employees to submit their proposals by the deadline of September 25, 2026.

Under this initiative, the Directorate will confer two primary honours: the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Best Library Award and the Dr S. R. Ranganathan Best Library Worker and Servant Award. Outstanding government-recognised public libraries from both urban and rural areas across Maharashtra will be evaluated for the awards.

Institutions classified under A, B, C, and D categories are eligible to participate. Selected libraries across these four categories will be awarded cash prizes of Rs 1 lakh, Rs 75,000, Rs 50,000, and Rs 25,000, respectively. In addition to the monetary reward, winning institutions will receive a memento, a certificate, and a curated collection of books.

Libraries, activists, and employees intending to apply must prepare their applications in the prescribed format. Applicants are required to submit three copies of their completed proposal to their respective District Library Officer by the September 25 deadline.

The Directorate noted that these state honours are intended to acknowledge the contributions of institutions and individuals dedicated to advancing public libraries and supporting the wider library movement across Maharashtra. Eligible applicants have been urged to complete their submissions within the stipulated timeframe.