THE government has announced plans to improve cultural budgeting in the 2025/2026 financial year to facilitate purchase of locally produced books.

Prof. Rwekaza Mukandala, the Tanzania Library Services Board (TLSB) chairman, made this observation when opening a two-day meeting with publishers and bookwriters at the central library in Dar es Salaam.

The move is intended to encourage local writers and publisher, thus promoting the widening of functional literacy across the country, he said.

Discussion would focus on implementation of the legal deposit law in the national integrated internet library, and the importance of purchasing local books to develop the domestic market, he stated.

“The allocation of a large budget to purchase local books in this financial year highlights the government's commitment to supporting Tanzanian writers and publishers,” he said.

 “By purchasing books that reflect Tanzanian culture and content we aim to preserve and promote our heritage,” the don affirmed, underlining that the government's efforts are expected to boost motivation for local authors and publishers.

This would encourage greater participation in the promotion of knowledge and education through books. "We expect that this initiative will inspire many Tanzanian authors and publishers to actively contribute to the dissemination of knowledge," he declared.

Meeting participants need to use the event as a platform to discuss opportunities arising from the implementation of the deposit law and the book purchasing process, he stated.

“Your ideas are vital in improving our work and expanding the local book market,” he asserted, highlighting efforts to preserve book publications for current and future generations.

The deposit law is critical for ensuring that all publications in Tanzania are stored in the nation's central library, helping to preserve the country's cultural and intellectual heritage, he further noted.

The TLSB has developed a digital platform that allows for the storage, access and distribution of publications to local and international users, he affirmed, stressing that this is an excellent opportunity for authors and publishers to showcase local works globally.

He cited ongoing cooperation efforts with various stakeholders to implement the deposit law and help develop the publishing sector, as an integrated national online library would play a key role in promoting the digital economy.

It would facilitate access to digital books, enabling online book registration and enhancing book distribution in the local market.

“The digital library system will enable the wider distribution of books and support the local market, fostering economic growth through technological advancements,” he added.