Bringing children back to books, the One Up way

With walls painted pearl white and bright mats covering the floor, it looks like a fancy showroom in an upmarket neighbourhood. But don't get mistaken -- it's a library. And that too for children.

The One Up library in Vasant Vihar is like an oasis in the digital desert with 1-14 years old as members. It's a rarity to find a neighbourhood library as today's children are mostly engaged in online passions, having little time for reading books.

Started in Amritsar in 2011 as the Golden City's first modern library, One Up travelled to Delhi in 2017.

Dalbir Kaur, founder of One Up, believes in the old school way of making children aware. Started in Amritsar in 2011 as the Golden City's first modern library, One Up travelled to Delhi in 2017.

Dalbir believes the 21st century children need spaces beyond schools that specifically focus on critical reading and thinking; promoting curiosity, collaboration & conversations, and community-building.

Children are engaged in an activity at the library.

"The conventional libraries could not stand the effect of time, especially when everything is available online. But it's important that children visit libraries to explore literature, develop their own reading tastes," she told IANS.

Dalbir said to draw teenagers towards books and promote less usage of technology, a revolutionary change was required in the way libraries looked and felt. She brought the concept of active reading, where children are guided by trained helpers who themselves read a lot.

Dalbir holds workshops for teachers and librarians, advises on steps to innovate and initiating non-readers.

"It's important to have attractive interiors with an active librarian. The librarian or the attendants must be active and know about the booksand should be avid readers themselves," Dalbir said.

Dalbir does not charge anything from a school for curating a library. She holds workshops for teachers and librarians, advises on steps to innovate and initiating non-readers.

Indo-Asian News Service