Ahmedabad: A Class 10 student in Mansa govt school browses the state-run library in Gandhinagar and finds a book by her favourite author. On an app, the student chooses the book by its number. A dedicated van, plying between chosen schools and libraries, fetches the book from the specific library and, in 24 to 48 hours, delivers the title to the student.“In a way, it is the equivalent of the food delivery apps, but for those hungry for knowledge,” said Prof Devika Madalli, director of the Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET). Gandhinagar-based INFLIBNET is among the University Grants Commission (UGC) Inter-University Centres (IUC).The Gramin Gyan Setu initiative was launched by Union home minister and Gandhinagar MP Amit Shah on Aug 12 — the National Librarian’s Day.The pilot project currently covers 40 rural school libraries and connects them to four major libraries in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, providing students from rural areas access to over 2.5 lakh titles.Four vans ferry books between member schools and libraries based on a timetable.Madalli said the initiative encourages reading among the children and teens. “It is the first such initiative, and we are currently training the coordinators.”In time, the project will be rolled out in other parts of the state and even the country, Madalli said.“Books for competitive exams will be added to resources due to the demand and popularity among the students,” she said. “This is a novel idea that empowers rural students, youth, and all readers to access distant libraries and get books wherever they are.”
