Take a Book, Leave a Book

Dr Yumnam Oken Singh *

Take a Book, Leave a Book :: Pix - TSE

Pasighat, a pretty town, located on the banks of the Siang River in Arunachal Pradesh, is everything I imagined a small town in the hills to be – quiet, serene, and picturesque.

Early in the morning, as I was jogging through the winding roads of Pasighat, I stumbled upon a curious little wooden structure at a corner. What caught my eye was a small wooden shelf-style library that stood at the roadside corner, with a sign that read "Take a Book, Leave a Book".

As an avid reader, I couldn't resist the temptation to stop and explore this unique library. It was a simple structure made entirely of wood with a tin roof, just like a small house; it was just a little bookshelf stacked with used books.

The structure had no caretaker or staff, but rather relied on the goodwill of the community. The concept was simple – anyone was welcome to take a book they liked and leave a book they had already read or no longer needed.

I couldn't help but marvel at the simplicity of the idea. It was refreshing to see an idea of sorts in reality to promote reading and literacy in a way that required no money or resources. The library was a reflection of the community's values - sharing, caring, and giving back to others. It was a space for people of all sorts to come together and share their love of reading.

As I browsed through the shelf, to my surprise, I found an assorted collection of used school textbooks. Although they weren't the type of books I was looking for, I could see how they might be useful to students in need. There were one or two reference books as well. It was a treasure trove for school children who couldn't afford to buy new books from the store.

I decided not to take any of the textbooks, but the idea of leaving a book for someone else to enjoy stayed with me. The next day, I returned to the library and left a book (Charles and Mary Lamb's Tales from Shakespeare) I had read long back and enjoyed.

It felt good to know that someone else might pick it up and enjoy it, just as I had. The next morning, I went again to check if the book I left was still there. To my delight, somebody had taken it.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the community or the entrepreneur who had created it. The library was a testament to the power of community spirit and the importance of promoting literacy and education.

It was heart-warming to see how a simple idea could make such a big impact on people's lives. Although the library was small and unassuming, it had a powerful message that sharing and giving back to the community can be as simple as leaving a book for someone else to enjoy.

The library was a reflection of the neighbourhood's values, and it showed me that even the smallest act of kindness can make a big difference.

In a world where we are constantly bombarded with technology and distractions, the little wooden shelf-library was a refreshing reminder of the power of a good book and the importance of community spirit. It was a place where anyone could contribute, regardless of their background or resources, and a space for people to come together and share their love of reading.

The "Take a Book, Leave a Book" shelf-library in Pasighat is a hidden gem that every book lover should visit and take back the same idea to his/her locality.

I continued to walk past the library every morning, and each time I saw the books on the shelf, I was reminded of the simple yet powerful message - "Take a Book, Leave a Book". It was a small gesture that made a big impact on the community, and it left me feeling grateful and inspired.