KOZHIKODE: When a group of youngsters started collecting books for their native library almost 36 years ago, they had in mind a culturally aware society that included all sections of people from their village. The Bhagat Singh library in Nittoor near Kuttiady, has never been limited to book lovers alone. They also have a wing where there are books to help prepare for competitive examinations, another for teaching music and dance etc. On Tuesday, Education Minister C. Raveendranath will inaugurate the renovated building of the library.
The library, that has an ‘A’ grade certificate given by the Kerala State Library Council, renovated its building with the support of the Raja Rammohan Roy Library Foundation, Kolkata and public funding. A digital library that has been set up here will be opened by Parakkal Abdulla MLA. The library also gives free membership to the students of Nittoor Mappila Lower Primary School as well as Nittoor Lower Primary School, both situated nearby. Every Wednesday, the library members (the board has 11 elected members) take books to these schools and the children can keep them for two weeks.
“We also cater to the literary needs of homemakers in the region. Elderly and home-bound women might not be able to visit the library and take books very often. To support them, we have a mobile library called ‘Amma Library’, that takes books to their houses, with the assistance of Kudumbasree,” said secretary C.P. Sreenesh. At Bhagat Singh Balavedi, children are trained in speech, poetry and short story writing. In addition, there are weekly classes offered in dance and music. The library has more than 600 permanent members now, of whom more than half are life members. Life membership costs Rs 500 and ordinary membership costs Rs 25 per year that can be renewed by paying Rs 15 annually.
