Borrow the book you want for free-- Garima Prasher

BANGALORE: Book lovers have another reason to rush to the popular Mahatma Gandhi Road-Brigade Road area.

For all you know, you may end up finding that book that you were dying to read all these days in a small cabinet, thanks to an innovative library that opened on Sunday. And don't worry, you needn't spend a paisa. All you are expected to be is a responsible reader.

The Little Free Library (LFL) located on Brigade Cross Road is perhaps the first-ever such endeavour in the country. The LFL, nothing but a small book case, will remain there for 24 hours and seven days a week.

LFL is an idea that prompts bibliophiles to put up small shelved structures outside their homes where people can take books and leave some too. LFL has the potential that involves more than reading: it can lead to a conversation, friendship and a sense of book lovers' community.

Stanley Ravi, LFL founder, wanted to provide a home to over 50 books lying with him, unused. "My wife was running a nursery school which was shut down some time back. When she started the school, I handpicked imported books from makeshift stalls in Hyderabad. I picked them thinking of my daughter. But after school was shut, these books were left just like that, with nobody to use them. I came across the idea of Little Free Library on the internet and found it as apt home for my books," says Ravi.

The library can be used by children, adults or the elderly. All that matters is sharing the joy of reading. The expectation is that those who pick one book for themselves will drop another book or two into the case. Call it a heaven for bibliophiles, the wonder cabinet flaunting 'Little Free library' is already drawing readers.

"On Day 1, we received a great response. The library has already attracted three to four readers after it was set up at 4.30pm. Although rain was a limiting factor, people picked up books. People are very inquisitive about it d they are loving the idea," said Arif Mistri, proprietor, LFL.

However, no one had dropped a book till late in the evening. Stanley plans to visit the library every now and then to see books appearing and disappearing from LFL.

"It will be a joy in itself to see books being picked up and left back inside the cabinet. But this is not the end of it. I aspire to see at least a crore of LFLs mushrooming across India. It is a wonderful concept that should reach rural areas ," says Stanley.

Want to own one? 

Give it a rustic look, make it from recycled materials , build a barn, a red British phone book library or give it a doll house structure, you can have a Little Free Library of your own at a place you desire. All you need to do is fill up an online form at littlefreelibrary.org and the wooden signboard will reach you in no time.

"I applied online and received the signboard, the licence for LFL, in matter of two weeks. Owners receive a sign that reads "Little Free Library" . They often have the phrase, "Take a Book. Leave a Book" , informed Stanley. The Little Free Library awaits you at shop number 1 and 2, Brigade Cross Raod, opposite Harry's Pub.

What is Little Free Library 

Little Free Library (LFL) believes the value of books are realized only if they are read and not hoarded. A non-profit community movement in the US and worldwide, LFL offers free books housed in small containers to members of the local community. It was founded in Hudson. The idea was conceived by Todd Bol as a tribute to his mom who was a book lover and teacher.

He mounted a wooden container designed to look like a school house on a post on his lawn. Bol shared his idea with his partner Rick Brooks who found many efficient ways to spread the word, and the idea spread rapidly.

Source: Wikipedia
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