India’s children’s picture book landscape has grown tremendously over the past two decades, with diverse, engaging, and locally relevant stories now reaching more children than ever before. For first-generation learners and children in resource-poor communities, picture books often serve as the first step into the world of reading.
At Bansa Community Library, we have seen how these books spark curiosity, build confidence, and create joyful reading experiences. In places where books are scarce, a simple picture book can become the foundation of a reading culture, opening doors to imagination, learning, and lifelong reading habits.
#ReadingCulture #ChildrenBooks #FreeLibraries #Books
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29 Dec 2025
Our founder, @JatinLalitS featured by Amar Chitra Katha (ACK) in their new comic series on India’s changemakers. The story of @BansaLibrary , from a village to 100 villages, now lives in panels and pages in 13 different languages.
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#FreeLibraries #FreeLibraryMovement
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10 Nov 2025
In an era when the latest titles trend on social media, one writer extols the underrated pleasure of reading secondhand books shared by neighbors. These “wild books” offer a sense of serendipity, community, and connection. #libraries #books #freeLibraries csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Th…
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3 Jun 2025
"After starting as a sml @Meta gp, In 3 yr @FreeLibNetwork becomes a leading force in #FreeLibraries Mvmnt xrs🇮🇳": founder @JatinLalitS, also of @BansaLibrary, xrs 36 UP Villages' #RuralLibraryMovement
via @aravindunni23
cc @AtishiAAP @harjotbains @akashbansal_ias @appadappajappa
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5 Feb 2025
In an era where screens dominate our lives, IAS officer Kumara is on a mission to rekindle the magic of books.
Using his own money, he has established ‘Pustaka Goodus’— free libraries at 17 bus stops across Karnataka.
@DrKumar_IAS
#PustakaGoodu #FreeLibraries #ReadingCulture #InspiringIndia #Karnatak #PositiveNews
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7 Jan 2025
We hope you had a happy holiday ❤️
Visit our Free Public Libraries at 5, Akande Street, Toyin Bus-stop, Iju-Ishaga, Lagos State, Nigeria or/and 10, Unity Estate, Gideon Bus-stop, Giwa-Lambe, Ogun State
#ifo 🇳🇬
#ifakoijaiye
#freelibraries
#freepubliclibraries
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3 Jan 2025
For KOA Education Foundation
Don't forget to support our work by donating to: 0970014219 Ecobank KOA Education Foundation
02:01:2025
@Koaeducation
#libraries #librariesinLagos #freeLibraries #ijuishaga #lagos #lagostiktok #lagosnigeria
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11 Sep 2024
Follow our pages to stay updated on our work at KOA Education Foundation
instagram.com/koaeducationfo…
instagram.com/koaedufoundati…
#books #Libraries #publiclibraries #freelibraries
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18 Jun 2024
To learn more about Rituparna’s libraries and initiatives, click the link: buff.ly/4enyhDE
#LGBTQLove #Empowerment #FreeLibraries #Inclusivity #SocialChange #Assam #Inspiration #PrideMonth #NationalReadingDay
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Longtime free libraries supporter @arunava is offering a number of stellar translations for sale with proceeds going to run our free, community-run libraries in Delhi NCR. GO, get books, and support #freelibraries this Sunday @BookshopInc
4 Dec 2023
Hi, I'm trying to raise some money for the @CommunityLibPro libraries. I'll have a bunch of my older translations for you to pick up and make a contribution to the libraries. Come by between 2 PM and 5 PM this Sunday, 10 Dec, to The Bookshop Inc at Lodi Colony Market in Delhi?
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30 Oct 2023
💙 Everyone, everywhere deserves such libraries and that can only happen when they are free, inclusive & excellent = accessible to all.
Support #freelibraries Support #freelibrarymovement
29 Oct 2023
Daughter's art for a project - yes, we love libraries in this house 😊
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1 Oct 2023
#FreeLibraries in India are under threat. From govts that want to police admission & books, from oppressor castes, class & gender-privileged groups, even from neighbours who are threatened by people gathering around books, ideas and solidarities. #DemandProtectFreeLibraries
2 of our 3 free libraries are behind illegally installed gates controlled by neighbours who are angry at us. When the gates are opened after a fight, there are locks & chains and we are forced to bend and crouch to get in...
ALT Book cover: Palaces for The People: How to build a more equal & united society. Cover art shows building blocks of primary colours that together form a toy building
ALT A foreboding black 6ft gate is shut, shutting the entry to TCLP's Khirki library
ALT The open entryway leading from the park to TCLP-South Extension Kotla library has been illegally barricaded with bricks and rubble to cut-off public access to the library.
ALT Image of Mridula Koshy behind a locked yellow gate, that illegally cuts off public access to the TCLP-South Extension Kotla library
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Book bans have always been on the wrong side of history!
#FreeLibraries
#StopBookBans
5 Sep 2023
It has never been about the books.
It has always been about denying Americans' access to libraries.
bookriot.com/samuels-public-…
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8 Aug 2023
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5 Aug 2023
An incredible day for advocates of #Freelibraries and for our Network as @JatinLalitS spoke eloquently and courageously about why public libraries MUST be free and why national policy is crucial at the Festival of Libraries in Delhi.
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25 May 2023
A little throwback to this little free library we found while doorknocking in #yycedgemont. I love the way these nurture book lovers the way bird feeders fuel our feathered friends! What a great way to build community and literacy at the same time.
#Reading #FreeLibraries
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24 Apr 2023
An old newspaper clipping - London Express - I'm not sure about the credit (that's how I found it online). I can see that happening in our house, yes...
#freelibraries #books #readingmatters #workingwithwords #wordstakeusplaces
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24 Mar 2023
Join Philadelphia Legal Assistance for an upcoming property tax and mortgage issues resource table. We will be at Richmond Library on March 28th, 3-5PM.
Richmond Library is located at 2981 Almond St., Philadelphia, PA 19134.
#LegalAid #LegalEducation #FreeLibraries
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23 Mar 2023
Our Universally Accessible Library is now officially open!
Thank you to our honoured speakers @prasann_kumari and Dipendra Manocha for cutting the ribbon and setting us off! More power to our readers, more power to inclusive #freelibraries
ALT Image 1: Dipendra and Prasann ji cut a red ribbon to inaugurate the UAL project. Library members and staff are in the background.
ALT Image 2: Same as 1 with the ribbon cutters smiling after cutting the ribbon
ALT Image 4: Dipendra ji is standing and talking to the audience. Behind him are seated our speaker Prasann Ji with our librarian @amaan__ul standing nearby. The audience has their backs to the camera, they are listening.
ALT Image 3: inside the library, members and guests are seated on moodas and chatai before the program begins. They are surrounded by bookshelves
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16 Mar 2023
Back closer to home, it’s not just China and loopy Republicans trying to censor books.
We need to start telling these enemies of Western values to get lost.
#FreeSpeech #FreeLibraries
16 Mar 2023
Opinion: The New Brunswick Public Library Service's capitulation to pearl-clutchers' demands to pull sex-education graphic novels from shelves betrays the purpose of libraries and does a disservice to kids who rely on them.
ftonindependent.substack.com…
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