Two youths use crowd funding, social media to set up library

With the city missing well-equipped libraries, two residents of Gurgaon have come together to set up a reading space for people with crowd funding.

With the city missing well-equipped libraries, two residents of Gurgaon have come together to set up a reading space for people with crowd funding.

The 26-year-old duo is using social media and crowd funding platforms such as Keto to invite interested persons to donate books or money. They have also set up a reading room. (HT Photo)

Sahil Batra and Prasang Sharma are planning to set up the library in a work hub based in Udyog Vihar Phase 4.

The 26-year-old duo is using social media and crowd funding platforms such as Keto to invite interested persons to donate books or money. They have managed to raise nearly Rs 15,000 in over a month. The two will use the money to buy books in different genres, including literature, history and fiction, they said.

The idea of setting up a library stems from the poor condition of city libraries despite the rapid urbanisation in Gurgaon. There is one district library in Old Gurgaon but dusty books, broken chairs, absent air-conditioning and erratic power supply make people shun it.

Though Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon is planning to set up five libraries in different locations -- DLF Phase 1, 2, 3; Chakkarpur, and Sector 14 -- but those will take a couple of months or even years to come up.

“The city has a lot of book lovers but does not have a proper reading space. We want to set up a library and provide a comfortable place for people to read,” Batra said.

With a fee of around Rs 800 a month, the people can access the library which will come up in a 40,000 square metre office with six rooms and a hall and will be open from 8am till midnight. As the building is air-conditioned, well-lit and has couches, Batra and Sharma said the people can relax and read easily.

“As the library is being set up in the work hub, the people can access the place as long as offices here are open. A few people have contacted us to know about the library and our Facebook posts have been extensively shared,” Batra said.

The two friends also plan to host cultural events such as poetry recitals and jam sessions at the work hub.

“Corporate employees want a free space where they can take part in recreational activities. We have several rooms and an empty basement where events can be organised,” Batra said.