Hook them by the book: Neighbourhood nooks go the distance for their patrons

Once upon a time, there wasn’t standing room in a neighbourhood library during weekends. Today, the scenario is vastly different: even the bigger libraries are struggling to stay afloat, to retain patrons, and are coming up with innovative ways to not only engage existing members, but also draw in younger readers. 

S Gopi, who was in the book business for years, opened a neighbourhood library in KK Nagar 15 years ago, gradually building up his stock to over 30,000 books – but sadly, watching footfall decrease. “Today’s lifestyle is such that people move from one neighbourhood to another. So many of our members had to move to other localities and they would complain that they did not have any place to go to read a book,” he says. 

This gave him the idea to start a library on wheels. “I had this Tata Ace that I converted into a library. This van caters to readers at their doorstep. There are around 3,000 books in the vehicle to choose from, in Tamil and English, and for all age groups. Members can also reserve a book which we deliver on our next visit. The van goes to areas like Siruseri on OMR, Thiruvanmiyur, Kundrathur, Vanagaram, Purasawalkam, Mandaveli etc. We visit one member once a month and he can avail of 10 books for Rs 200 -250 depending on the area,” says Gopi. 

The owners of JustBooks Anna Nagar have designed their space like a community library, where people not just read books, but also interact. “Apart from the books and magazines that are available for lending, we create an atmosphere where there is room for like-minded people to discuss what they read. We even have young authors drop by and talk to readers. We also organise regular story-telling sessions for both adults and kids. This helps us make the space vibrant and give it a community-like feeling,” says Abirami Narayanan, the owner.

These spaces are no less than a boon for those readers who still like to read books in their physical form, but struggle to find the time to do so. “Most neighbourhood libraries have websites where you can order the books and they are delivered to the doorstep. Being a working woman, who finds it difficult to go to the library, such facilities come to my rescue,” says Sneha M, an ardent reader from Nungambakkam.