Libraries are a vibe.

Every week (well, almost every), my husband or I take my daughter to Hippocampus children's library in Kormangala, Bangalore and it's one of our favorite activities of the week. But it's a good 30-40 min drive for us (and therefore has some friction) versus something closer in the neighborhood. But, it's the only library we found that we would enjoy visiting repeatedly.

It got me thinking of the unfortunate reality world over - the number of libraries and library visits have been declining. According to a recent International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA), India needs more than 343,000 public library units, but currently we have in total approximately 153,291 public libraries existing in India. Another recent report by IMLS (Institute of Museum and Library Services) show library visits are half what they were a decade ago. Thousands now lie actually or virtually unused, and turn to communal nostalgia for support. With information available at the click of a button and habits shifting to more digital forms of entertainment, libraries are dying a slow death and good intentions and nostalgia is not enough to sustain their operations. And, finding a sustainable model for its survival is a hard problem to solve but one worth solving for.

And that's why, efforts such as The Community Library Project (TCLP) are so important. TCLP is an organisation based out of Delhi that has been making significant efforts in establishing community libraries in underserved areas of India with its mission is to create accessible learning, reading, and personal development spaces within local communities.

1. While digital reading has advantages, the benefits of focus, comprehension, eye health, and emotional engagement make physical books superior for many readers.

2. It's more than just reading, it's a community: Libraries serve as spaces for social interaction, learning, and cultural engagement, through various programs, events and book readings.

3. Librarians are everyday superheroes. Not only do they help discover and recommend, they often become confidantes for children and young adults in communities.

4. It's much more economical for learning across income stratas versus buying books and more convenient than sharing books physically or digitally.

Thanks Umesh and Vimala for the space that you have built!

Know more: Digital Reading Hits Libraries, Many Shut Down As People Keep Away, Outlook