My Library Story: Vaani Dua

Hello, I am Vaani Dua, an architect by profession and a teacher by choice. I would like to share with you how I started a small library at my place for the kids in my community and how much is it giving back to me. I grew up in a middle class family where academics was of primary importance. My parents never brought us books. We completely missed our parents reading stories to us. All my school life was confined to only text books. It was in college that I discovered a whole new world of books. I would borrow books from my classmates and read on. From Harry Potters to the classics and even the Sidney Sheldons.

Last year, one day it just dawned tome that people in my colony are still the same. Not many kids would be reading interesting books. My own younger cousin never did that. Nor did her parents read her stories. I knew there is lackof public libraries in our city. So I thought of starting a small one at my place. I got two boxfull of books from my friend’s daughter and that’s how we started. 

I called in kids for learning crafts but that didn’t attract many so I came up with learning communication skills and it was the appropriate marketing strategy I came up with. Parents started sending their kids. And since it was free of cost, they were happier. Then, I met Mridula of Community Library Project and we got a few hundred books added to our small collection. We started with three kids a year ago and within few months we were at 30. Now, every Sunday, these kids swarm up to my room, giggling with joy.