Approximately 24% of schools in Haryana lack the resources to build a library, and those that do have libraries often contain books that are in poor condition, nearly worn out from years of use. Recognizing this pressing need, the “BiblioReads” initiative was created, aiming to bridge the educational resource gap by distributing sets of donated books from school to school each month.
BiblioReads not only enhances access to quality reading materials but also empowers students who have a passion for reading to share that enthusiasm with their peers. By implementing this initiative, schools can foster a love for reading, enhance students' cognitive abilities, and create a culture of knowledge-sharing .Donated books from the community form the core of these libraries. Every month, a carefully curated set of books is rotated between participating schools. This ensures that students have access to a constantly evolving collection, enriching their reading experience. The books, literary and educational, are given to students to help them improve their reading, writing and comprehension skills. With a focus on literary books, educational books are also provided to students to help them study for their curriculum/competitive exams.
Taking a proactive approach to language learning in areas where English isn’t widely spoken, Biblioreads addresses another challenge: intimidation around reading complex English vocabulary. By introducing books with elementary and intermediate language levels, Biblioreads ensures that students feel comfortable and capable, building reading habits and language skills without feeling overwhelmed. With regular feedback sessions to continuously improve its approach, Biblioreads meets students where they are and helps them grow.
Since its initiation three years ago, BiblioReads has aimed to bridge the educational resource gap by distributing books across schools. Currently, the initiative runs in 11 institutes, 6 in Haryana and 5 in cooperation with Bindi, an international non-profit.
BiblioReads sets up a rotational library system among underfunded government schools and nonprofits. Today, BiblioReads impacts over 1000 students with over 1200 books.
BiblioReads goes beyond simply delivering books by actively engaging students in informal reading sessions. These sessions help students align their hobbies and interests with books that challenge them to explore new genres and subjects. The program ensures that students not only enjoy what they read but are encouraged to expand their interests. BiblioReads also provides language support by encouraging students to communicate in English during sessions, building their confidence and language skills in a supportive environment.
After each session, feedback forms are circulated, and requests are carefully implemented to tailor future reading materials. Biblioreads also expands its collection to include diverse genres, continuously adapting to reflect the varied tastes and preferences of its readers.