Children read books in the free street library in Phek. ‘Pick A Book’- a community based free street library project was inaugurated on January 30.
Phek, February 3 (MExN): In what could be a first of its kind in Nagaland, a free street library project was inaugurated on January 30 in Phek district.
‘Pick A Book’- a community based free street library project was officially inaugurated by Zhoi Lohe SDO(C) Phek at Mission Compound Colony, Phek in the presence of other district administrators, Civil Society leaders, heads of educational institutions, students and well wishers.
Four days after its launch, the library has received an ‘overwhelming response’ according to Vezito Tetseo, former Assembly Speaker of the Chakhesang Students’ Union (CSU), who started the project.
During the inauguration, Tetseo shared about the history of the project.
He said that works for the ‘dream project’ started in December 2020. While there was an e-platform for the library, feeling the need for a physical library, he started collecting books from friends and well wishers. So far, he has collected around 60 books and still many more are on the way, he shared.
According to him, the project is going to be a catalyst of creating an impact towards community building. The street library contains a range of books covering different topics of interest.
The Street library project is managed by the Mission Compound Colony Youth Association (MCCYA), who also sponsored and managed the inaugural event.
Tetseo said that knowledge is not only gained inside the traditional educational institutions but it can also be obtained in an open environment as long as there is a book.
Not everyone finds the joy of reading inside the four walls of a classroom or at home but some love to read in an open environment as it gives them a different taste of reading, he shared.
“Everyone including students in particular is welcome to read books in our street library,” Tetseo said, while adding that certain books and novels written by prominent authors would also feature in the project’s official Instagram page @pickabookastreetlibrary for avid readers.
Readers within Phek town can borrow the books at a minimal rental charge for maintenance of the street library.
Tetseo hoped that the inauguration of the street library project would be the beginning of the street library movement in the locality and the State.
He expressed gratitude towards the district administration and DLCW MSK-BBBP, Phek for acknowledging his effort which he said, is a big push towards the mission, and urged them to support individuals or any group who wants to start a street library project.
The project is to encourage both the young and old to read books which will directly or indirectly contribute in promoting human development which is vital for a society to progress, he said. It is also to encourage young people to spend time reading books and thereby counter the excess use of social media, gaming addiction and substantial use of drugs and alcohol, Tetseo shared.
One of the key objectives behind this project was to enhance the literacy rate in the state starting from the grassroots level by encouraging the student community to read books. This would be possible by giving them easy access to the books at affordable rates and ensuring availability of materials round the clock, he added.
He also acknowledged the contribution of the colony youth who worked round the clock and provided financial and material assistance in completing the street library, besides those who donated in cash and kind. He thanked individuals who donated books to the library and added that those willing to donate can still do so as he was planning to come up with more street libraries.
“To make this journey successful, I request each and every one of you to continue to support our initiative. It may be small, but together we can make a difference towards building a better community for a brighter future prospect,” Tetseo said.
Meanwhile, Tetseo shared that monthly magazine subscriptions would also be introduced in the coming days.
The street library is open ‘round the clock’ and any one can avail the facilities at any time, he said.
