Micro-library in Dhanmondi Lake Park
In an era of dopamine-driven social media scrolls reading a book underneath a tree can seem like a far-fetched dream. Moreover, navigating the harsh city life leaves us very little time off. Braving the traffic to reach a tranquil library and indulging in the simple pleasure of reading has become a luxury for city dwellers. Zakia Rayhana Rupa, a resident of Dhanmondi found a way to bridge this gap by setting up a micro-library at Dhanmondi Lake Park.
"When I learned from a friend about little free libraries in Germany—where bookshelves are placed in public parks for people to read, and donate books, I thought, why not do the same here in Bangladesh?" said the 44-year-old literary buff, who also advocates for mental health and healthy parenting.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. True to her proactive nature, Rupa installed her first micro-library. A wooden bookcase atop a linear stand was installed at Road 7, Dhanmondi Lake Park.
She stocked the cabinet with a few books by her favourite author, Mohiuddin Mohammad and wrote down one simple rule: "Read books from here and return them after reading."
Soon, curious minds were spotted by the charming setup, flipping through pages, and enjoying a quiet pastime amidst the bustling city.
"The serene lake and lush green attract people to this park from all walks of life, so this made the perfect spot," Rupa explains.
"After the first bookstand, I set up three more bookcases," she adds.
These bookcases are integrated with trees as if little bird nests, and located by the benches— turning the sites into intimate reading stations.
Rupa's initiative was motivated by a strong faith in people's love for reading, as she states— "People want to read; they only need access to quality books and a peaceful environment."
She addresses the rising book costs in an economy already burdening everyday lives. Thus, the micro-library is free and the goal is to make books more available to readers.
The ripple effect of the micro-library venture is evident. It is receiving funds and a wide range of books from literary aficionados. Six more bookcases are already on the way to be installed at Lake Park.
Rupa's determination is unshaken and she aims to expand her micro-libraries hoping that the venture will spread to remote areas of the country, fostering intellectual civic spaces and community spirit.
Comments