HYDERABAD: "Reading can seriously damage your ignorance," is what two students from University of Hyderabad found out. So, to spread the light, they started a group on Facebook, ‘Share your shelf’; and the response was impressive.
Shiva Sai Ram of the political science department of the university started the group along with his friend Anadha Jose of the social science department a few months ago with a dual purpose.
Says Jose, “The group serves as a platform where students share research papers and articles with others. Many a time, a student does not get a research paper on the internet for his or her reference. If an assignment's deadline is looming, it would become more problematic. If such a platform is available, one can post his requirement and someone in possession of such material can share an e-copy. Some professors too are in the group.”
Sai Ram added, “Another reason is to bring together book aficionados. A registration form is posted in the group, which is allowed access only for students and faculty of the university. Our registered members can create lists of books they own using Google document, and own and share it with others. In short, we make our bookshelves public. The books can be of any genre. Any registered member of the group can lend a book, or get a book of his interest, this way.”
As of now, the group has about 450 members. Jose says, "We both are moderators of the group and ensure that no one uses it for political purposes. We plan to make the group more eventually.”
