Main district library plus branch and mobile units, free for on-site reading and lending to members.
Purnia has 0.2 public libraries per 10 lakh population, behind the typical district. 8.6% of women read a newspaper regularly, behind the typical district. 12% use the internet, behind the typical district. The Public Library remains one of the few free, physical spaces for reading and study in the district.
79% of registered enterprises are in services while 21% are in manufacturing. Only 5% of employment is in small and medium enterprises. Only 41% of school-age children are enrolled in higher secondary school (classes 9–12).
In Purnia, which ranks 33 of 38 in Bihar for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 39.1 out of 100. It trails the national picture on young men who read a newspaper regularly at 18.8% and young men using the internet at 32.8%.