Vadodara’s Century-Old Library Cooperative Keeps Reading Culture Alive Across 1,400+ Libraries In Digital Age | Video

Vadodara's century-old library cooperative, the Gujarat Pustakalay Sahayak Sahakari Mandal, continues to promote reading and community learning across more than 1,400 member libraries in Gujarat. Established in 1924, the cooperative stands as Asia's sole cooperative society of public libraries, inspired by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad's Library Department founded in 1910. Library pioneer Motibhai Amin later developed the cooperative model, enabling libraries to collaborate, share resources, and expand access to knowledge.

Over the years, the organization has published over 725 books and promoted reading through discounted book distributions, initiatives supporting lifelong learning, and efforts to nurture reading habits among younger generations. Dr Biraj Desai, a Vadodara resident, expressed the impact of the libraries on her children's cognitive development: "Reading has expanded my children's thought process and greatly enriched their vocabulary. It is wonderful to see how books help them develop and express themselves better."

Teachers also emphasize the libraries' role in encouraging children to spend more time reading and less time on mobile phones. Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi hailed the cooperative's efforts during his address on the 80th Independence Day. Ishita Pathak, a school teacher, shared her students' appreciation: "Children are constantly occupied with mobile phones today. If they spend some time reading books here, it can help them learn, think better, and grow as individuals."

The cooperative has also received increased government support for village libraries, with grant amounts increasing from Rs 15,000 to Rs 40,000. President Thakorbhai Patel highlighted the positive impact on their work: "The increase in the grant is helping institutions like ours continue their work and improve services." Despite the digital age, Vadodara's library cooperative remains a testament to the power of collective efforts in preserving reading habits and making knowledge accessible across generations.