Why Community Libraries Matter

If you grew up in a place like Mumbai, Delhi or Bangalore, it’s quite likely that you had access to a library, in your school or otherwise, to study or to borrow books. But what if libraries could be more than that? What if libraries could be community catalysts, acting as spaces to learn financial literacy, organise community events, and even becoming Covid relief camps? There is a whole movement spreading across India, trying create libraries that cater to the different needs of our diverse communities.
We spoke with Jatin Lalit, founder of Bansa Community Library, Cheruia Community Library and Gramin Library, along with Rituparna Neog of Free Libraries Network to learn more about the different impacts a library can have, and how to build a library in your own community.