Written by Blaise D’sa, Library in-charge, Alban Couto Community Library
I have a ‘Home’ away from home. A pretty, cosy little nook tucked away in a corner of the Aldona Parish centre which comes alive by mid evening with children running to and fro either borrowing or returning books or some sprawled on the floor experiencing the joy of reading.
This tiny space at The Alban Couto Community Library run by the Bookworm trust, took me back to my days when I would run to a library which was a ‘borrow books, read books, return book, repeat’ space. Of course, at that time we did not have glowing screens to gaze at, so books gave us all the entertainment we needed. Until recently it dawned upon me that this treasure trove of books had to be different and much more because children nowadays read sporadically. Besides, reading apps on phones are so easily available at the click of a button, that children prefer not holding a book and reading from a screen – a dangerous trend. This is where ACCL plays its part. I have noticed here that children take in stories differently, some like to groove and move, others connect to a story with the stroke of a brush, while there are some who want to feel and caress the characters. The author of the story “The Red Kite Adventure” had the children making paper kites. A few weeks ago an artist read out a story “A bond of love” and then guided them with a watercolor painting related to the book. Stories are not just read out aloud here, they are sung, built, imagined. Characters in the stories are created, painted, touched and made to come alive as they all become a part of these little children.
Resource persons – Authors, teachers, artists mostly from the ‘community’ are invited to share their creative skills and enrich the children’s reading experience. Parents who are looking for a reading experience for their children must visit the Saturday workshops to feel the “buzz”. ACCL is working hard to live up to its name by bringing the community together. More importantly, the library space and workshops is made available to ‘all’ children across ‘all’ communities. Sujata Noronha, Director, Bookworm Trust stresses the need for children to not just read but to read age appropriate books and the collection of quality books is easily made available to children, especially those who cannot own them. The ACCL is indeed a fantastic addition to the village which inspires me everyday.
This then is my Home away from home. Do make it your home away from home as well! 🙂 
