Let me spill a hard truth – public libraries have become extremely rare and a thing of the past now. I remember small public libraries being located in every neighbourhood where people would go and spend all their free time when I was little. However, as I grew up, such libraries started to shut down as books, e-books, and audio-books were made readily available online.
However, in one heartwarming sight, a ‘Little Free Library’ was spotted near actor Manav Kaul’s colony from where one can take books for free and return them after they finish reading. One may even donate books, reports India Today.
The picture shows two shelves packed with several books. One can take a book from the library and replace it with another book.
Manav Kaul recently took to Twitter to post a picture and wrote, “I feel every colony should have this little library.”
Have a look:
LITTLE FREE LIBRARY Outside My colony gate ❤️ Take a book – return a book 🌻🙏🏽I feel every colony should have this little library 🙏🏽 #freelibrary pic.twitter.com/AFDWx8BIgK
— मानव (@Manavkaul19) August 24, 2020
Richa Chadha shared Manav’s post and revealed how she has donated several books here.
I have donated several books here … 💕so heartening ! https://t.co/DiyCQAT0yD
— TheRichaChadha (@RichaChadha) August 24, 2020
As the post went viral, Barkha Dutt and others on Twitter lauded the idea of this little free library. Some even thought of starting such an initiative themselves! However, there were some who thought that the books could easily get stolen.
This is so lovely
— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) August 24, 2020
Wow. I really want to do this. Anyone up for donating books for something like this can DM me! https://t.co/vWPLprBdXz
— Anam Khan (@burgerrkhan) August 25, 2020
best thing.. ❤️ If this will happen in every colony.. little library.. share ur books .. #freelibrary ✌️ https://t.co/X1Znah3pZo
— Rashi Pandey (@pandeyrashi15) August 25, 2020
Thats indeed a superb idea https://t.co/bmCjR0T7x3
— Surendra Singh Kalakoti (@srk7353) August 25, 2020
Absolutely brilliant 🙏🙏 https://t.co/StCL1TDsF2
— Thakur Ajay (@Ajaythakur1994) August 25, 2020
Awesome.. this should be everywhere..😃👍 https://t.co/88eNsRO4gp
— Puneet Jain (@asliPuneet) August 25, 2020
“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” “Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.” It just is an amazing thought @Manavkaul19 where do you live? Let’s adopt this idea and create empowerment 🙏 https://t.co/ySzFBeHRvu
— Vishal Aggarwal (@vishalagga) August 24, 2020
This is the most heartwarming thing I have seen in a long time. https://t.co/ooSOzYaDUm
— Poushali (@PoushD) August 24, 2020
Sir I wanna set something like this But..? How you manage people not to steal the book or torn or damage it? What if someone does so? Is the rule like put a book and take a book ? What are the practical hurtles and how to cross them ? Please response sir, it's a humble request 🙏
— निष्कर्ष NishKarsH نشکرش (@PotterHeadNK) August 24, 2020
Even that's not the problem
I tried to do the same people picked up the book never returned even after 2 years that cabinet got empty within 4 months.— Element X (@PersonX14574853) August 25, 2020
Simple yet powerful idea. Little Free Library to exchange books@orangebook_ @Manavkaul19 Thanks for sharing, where is this? #BookBoost #bookexchange #littlefreelibrary #freelibrary #whatanidea https://t.co/3FpxebqUtF
— Rahul Laha (@Rahul_laha30) August 25, 2020
Wouldn’t it be great if every neighbourhood had a ‘Little Free Library’ like this one, if nobody would steal anything, and people would leave their books for others to read? One can only wish!