Akshara Foundation has a network of libraries in schools and communities to encourage and sustain a reading habit among children. The libraries open up children’s minds to worlds beyond their own and are a key factor in facilitating the learning process. The libraries are an integral part of Akshara Foundation’s commitment to children and reading. They anchor the learning children obtain from Akshara’s ongoing reading programme and give them an opportunity to continue to access those language skills and build on them, so that what is once learnt stays embedded, and does not fade with disuse.

In Bangalore, there are a total of 52 libraries, 37 are in schools and 15 are community libraries.

In North Karnataka, there are 370 libraries; some are part of the balwadis and some are Resource Centres in communities and are equipped with books, computers and other activities. Thousands of children children benefit from this programme, which is conducted mainly in the slum areas of Hubli and Dharwad and in the districts of Bidar, Gulbarga, Gadag, Raichur, Bellary, Bagalkot, Dharwad and Bijapur.

The libraries have a vibrant and enthusiastic member base. Every library has an average of one thousand books, covering a broad spectrum of topics to address both younger and older children.

Libraries are not only about books. They are hubs of learning. An Akshara-appointed librarian is always available on site for children. All the librarians have recently been trained to conduct language-based exercises and puzzles to expand children’s vocabulary. Hippocampus, one of Akshara’s partners, conducts a reading based activity programme called Word Wings in Kannada and English. Libraries also expose children to resource people who train them in elementary physics and geo physics, hold general knowledge classes through plays and stories and conduct theatre-based learning activities.

The Library Programme is going to be expanded in a major way in the academic year, 2007-2008. Akshara Foundation will partner with the Government of Karnataka to establish 400 libraries in government primary schools in Bangalore where every child from the 2nd to the 7th standard will participate. These libraries will serve the learning needs of all the 1410 government primary schools in Bangalore Urban District. Akshara plans to make each of its 400 libraries a complete world of learning with books, computers, CDs, games and innovative activities.
Read about a volunteer's experience at a library.