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Library on wheels
G Murugaraj
Founder, Vallalar Library
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| Illustration: Tim Tim Rose |
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AFTER COMPLETING my MBA in 2005, I joined a multinational corporation in Chennai. I know it would sound clichéd, but there was no job satisfaction. I was not comfortable with the job. I was unable to do the repetitive work. Hence, 15 months later, I quit and went to my hometown KuMBAkonam to look after our family’s jewellery business. My father wanted me to do something on my own. He strictly refused to hand over the reins of the business to me. So, I started a small advertising agency to create new promotional ideas for business entities in my hometown.
I have always enjoyed reading, and wanted to inculcate the habit among my native villagers. Hence, I thought of starting a library to encourage it among the rural folk who are unable to buy books on their own.
First, I thought of starting a library in a building, where readers could come and read books. After a deep study of my native and surrounding villages, I realised that libraries have a quiet environment not because of readers’ silence but because of the absence of keen readers. Moreover, realty was pricey and unaffordable. The money was better spent on books.
So, I planned to start a mobile lending library that would provide books at the readers’ doorstep. Thus, Vallalar library came into being in September, 2011. I started it with 180 books.
Determining the membership fee was a problem. Most of the people were not ready to pay every month. So, I fixed Rs 300 as lifetime membership fee. With that membership, anyone can rent books.
I arranged a van for rent and displayed my books in it and went for campaign in Kumbakonam and nearby villages. On other days, I also travel on my bicycle meeting people, giving them books to read. Gradually, people are showing interest. Currently, the library has 26 members and 488 books.
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If everyone wants to earn, who would work for the marginalised? |
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However, my family is against this venture. They want me to work in a corporate firm and earn well. But my answer to them is ‘if everyone thinks only about earning, who would start social ventures for the betterment of the marginalised section?’
Till date, I have worked alone for the library. Nobody is ready to work as library staff because of the novelty of the concept. However, I am trying to keep things on track. Some childhood friends have been encouraging in this regard, donating books for the library. I maintain books with exclusive book numbers and member IDs. I keep track of the most popular books. Most of the members prefer self improvement books. Some love to read health books. The biggest challenge for me is the monetary crisis. I do not even have shelves to keep the books.
However, I will leave no stones unturned to make the venture a success. I have been trying to create a stronger readership among children. I am planning a catalogue of books for personal development for the rural youth’s reading habit. Soon, the library will also have a Braille section and an audiobook section for the visually impaired.
G Murugaraj is an MBA from Anna University, Tamil Nadu. He wants to inculcate the reading habit in rural youth.
vallalarlibrary@gmail.com
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