From Horses to Vans: How India’s Mobile Libraries Are Bringing Books to Kids and Seniors do sex sex to

Apr, 30 2025 08:03 AM

Home&#x2fStories&#x2fBooks & Recommendations &#x2f Culture &#x2f Education From Horses to Vans: How India’s Mobile Libraries Are Bringing Books to Kids and Seniors Explore how mobile libraries are changing access to books in India. From horseback in Uttarakhand to the Bookworm Bus in Delhi, these mobile libraries are bringing stories to all. By Srimoyee Chowdhury April 30, 2025 • 4 Min Read Not every village in India has a library, but that doesn’t mean stories can’t find their way there. In places where the internet is patchy, schools are basic, and bookshops are non-existent, a new chapter is being written, quite literally. Across the country, books are hitting the road (and sometimes the sand) thanks to some clever, heartfelt ideas. From horseback to camel carts to vans stacked with shelves, mobile libraries are doing what Google can’t – bringing real books into real hands. Uttarakhand’s Ghoda Library: Books that trot in In the hills of Uttarakhand, where narrow trails and tricky terrain keep most vehicles out, a young man found an old-school fix: horses. Shubham Badhani launched the Ghoda Library with just that: a horse carrying bags full of books to kids in hard-to-reach villages. Advertisement In Uttarakhand, a horse acts as the librarian for this unusual ‘Ghoda Library’. Once a week, the horse makes its round, and children wait excitedly to pick up a new read. For many, it’s the first time they’re flipping through pages that aren’t in a textbook. It’s simple, it’s quiet, and it works. Rajasthan’s Camel Cart Library: Desert stories, delivered In the dry stretches of rural Rajasthan, where school resources are often stretched thin, a camel cart rolls in with something special – books. Decorated with balloons and bright cloth, the cart travels from one village to another, carrying hundreds of storybooks and activity books for children. The unique camel cart library in Rajasthan is sweetly decorated with balloons. Credit: ANI It’s not just about reading either — local volunteers tell stories aloud, run reading circles, and even rope in parents to read with their kids. It’s a big, dusty adventure minus the screens. Advertisement Andhra Pradesh’s books on wheels: A can full of wonder Down south in Anantapur, the Rural Development Trust has taken a more modern route. Their Books on Wheels van visits villages every week, its insides lined with shelves and cushions where kids can sit, read, and explore. The Rural Development Trust’s mobile library caters to kids as well as adults. Credit: RDT Known locally as Sanchara Grandhalayam, this travelling library is about more than just books. It creates a safe, quiet space where children (and often, curious adults) can just sit and read. No tests, no pressure, no marks, just stories. Mobile library in Thane In Thane, Mumbai, a mobile library initiative by the Marathi Granth Sanghralaya (MGS) has been bringing books directly to children and senior citizens. With a collection of over 10,000 books in English, Hindi, and Marathi, the library visits five locations daily, operating seven days a week. Advertisement Each stop lasts approximately 1.5 hours, allowing readers to borrow books for a monthly fee of ₹100. The service has gained popularity, with around 450 children among its 1,100 subscribers. The initiative has become a valuable resource for those unable to visit traditional libraries, fostering a love for reading in the community. Delhi’s mobile library service Delhi Public Library (DPL) has been operating mobile library services since 1953, bringing books to residents across the capital. Currently, DPL operates eight mobile vans, covering 70 locations and serving over 6,000 members. These vans are equipped with a diverse collection of books, including a Braille library that visits 12 locations. Delhi Public Library’s wonderful initiative of a library on wheels has benefitted many. The mobile library service has played a significant role in nurturing a reading culture in Delhi, especially in areas where access to traditional libraries is limited. Advertisement Bengaluru’s library on wheels In Bengaluru, the non-profit organization ‘Library on Wheels’ has partnered with the One Billion Literate Foundation (OBLF) to bring books directly to communities that have limited access to traditional libraries. ‘Library on Wheels’ has partnered with the One Billion Literate Foundation (OBLF) to bring books directly to students. This initiative involves vans equipped with a diverse collection of books, traveling to various urban neighborhoods to promote literacy and a love for reading among children and adults alike. By delivering books to the doorsteps of those in need, this mobile library aims to bridge the gap in educational resources and foster a culture of reading in underserved areas. Wheels that open minds These mobile libraries may not look fancy, but they’re doing something powerful, taking books to where they’re needed most. They’re run on kindness, passion, and a belief that every child deserves access to stories, ideas, and imagination. Advertisement Whether arriving on hooves, wheels, or by sheer will, they’re proof that a library doesn’t need a building, it just needs people who care enough to share a good book. Edited by Vidya Gowri Venkatesh Join The Better India Community Be part of a vibrant community focused on making a positive impact. Connect, share, and contribute to meaningful discussions. Start Conversation Found Value in Our Stories? 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