Breaking all class barriers: Jasola library catalogues a unique story

NEW DELHI: Vivaan Singh is in Class II and, this summer, he's discovering the wonderful world of books at "Kitabkhana". The word, commonly used to describe libraries not very long ago, is seeing a revival of sorts through a community project, which seeks to present to children-and adults alike-the charm of a book in hand, the smell of paper and fun of reading and storytelling.
A library for all age groups has started taking shape in Jasola Vihar with "inclusion" a key focus area. It seeks to bring together residents from not just the locality but also from the nearby Jasola Gaon where many children are first-generation learners seeking education for a better-quality life.
Vivaan, for one, studies at a reputed public school. During a visit to the Kitabkhana, he was seen in an animated conversation with Sanjeet Topo, a Class IV student from Jasola Gaon. Both bonded over the game even as they explored an entirely different world offered by the Kitabkhana.
Vivaan's mother, Jacquilin Singh, said she was visiting the library for the fourth time, happy that it finally gave the children a space to sit, read and explore a new world. She said: "With the space for libraries shrinking and the idea of community library almost extinct, parents often feel helpless. Now, with a library in my colony, my children can borrow books, make new friends and take part in different activities."
Functional for a week now, the Kitabkhana is operating from the ground floor of a community centre. The senior citizens' association of Jasola Vihar, which manages the space, has opened up the ground floor for related activities. Already, the residents have donated some 800 books for the project. The books have been catalogued and neatly placed subjectwise in wooden almirahs.
Steering the Kitabkhana is Kaumudi Sharma, a resident of Jasola Vihar, who is busy mobilising community support for the project. The voluntary exercise has so far got 40 members, who have to pay a nominal fee of Rs 100. The residents are pitching in to help poor families also join in.
Residents of Jasola Gaon, inhabited by a largely poor populace, have been welcomed with open arms. When TOI visited Kitabkhana, the enthusiasm was palpable. Sharma, a retired Hindi teacher from DPS RK Puram, said the idea was to bring alive the magic of story-telling and reading. She said: "I teach the children of maids in our area and felt this initiative could help in social integration." Setting up a library is not easy, though. To get a professional touch, Sharma brought on board friend and librarian Sneh Arora.
With the digital boom relegating books to the background, many parents TOI spoke to felt that the Kitabkhana could help rekindle the love for reading.