Blog written by Jeet Kumari Rai
I first came to know about Bookworm in 2023 during my LMS (Library Mentoring Support) course. As a part of the course, I attended a four-day workshop at the Bookworm library. Those four days introduced me to a space that felt very different from any library I had known before. While returning home after the workshop, I remember thinking, “I wish I could get an opportunity to work here someday.” At that time, it was just a small wish, but it stayed with me.
In April 2026, I joined Bookworm, and it felt like my wish finally became a reality. However, beginning this journey was not easy. I had many doubts and felt nervous because it was my first time working so far away from home. Coming from a small village in Sikkim, moving to Goa and becoming a part of a completely new environment was a big step for me. I was entering a new place with unfamiliar surroundings, new people, and new challenges. But today, I feel grateful that I took this step because it has become one of the most meaningful decisions of my life.
When I started my journey at Bookworm, I slowly began discovering that it is much more than a place where books are kept. It is a space filled with stories, conversations, imagination, and connections. Every day brings something new to learn and explore. I learn not only from books but also from my colleagues, visitors, and most importantly from children.
I still remember my first day at work. I saw everyone engaged in different responsibilities, some were preparing for sessions, some were managing tasks, and everyone seemed deeply involved in their work. Looking at them, I felt a little anxious and wondered whether I would be able to become a part of this space. But as I started working, I experienced the warmth and kindness of everyone around me. My teammates gave me the time and space to learn, adapt, and understand the environment. Their support helped me gain confidence and encouraged me to contribute to the library.
One of my first major experiences at Bookworm was the Summer Reading Challenge, which became one of the most fascinating events I have been a part of. The theme of the challenge was Goa, and it brought together children, parents, and library teams through different activities, games, reading tasks, and learning experiences.
What amazed me the most was seeing the excitement among both children and adults. They were eager to explore books, borrow new stories, participate in sessions, and complete their reading tasks. Even parents were supporting their children, visiting the library, encouraging their children to read books and helping them complete their tasks. The Summer Reading Challenge was not only about reading a certain number of books or finishing activities, it was about growing together, supporting each other and building a community of readers. It encouraged children to share their ideas with each other, celebrate their reading journeys and develop a deeper connection with books.
Through this event, I got the opportunity to learn more about Goa, connect with children and parents, and understand the importance of creating joyful learning spaces. It was a beautiful experience where all six libraries came together to share their ideas, experiences, and learning.
As a part of the Reading Challenge, I conducted sessions like Mapping Goa and a read-aloud session on Kole of Saligao. The session plans were prepared collaboratively by team members and they also conducted pilot sessions amongst the team which helped me understand the planning better. The Mapping Goa activity was one of the most thoughtful experiences for me. Children visualised how Goa might look after 100 years and represented their ideas through colours in the map of Goa.
Another interesting part of the Reading Challenge was exploring books created by the Bookworm library teams. The book Kole of Saligao, created by the Saligao library team, was beautifully designed and carried a wonderful story of Saligao village. I got the opportunity to conduct a read-aloud session using this book and seeing children enjoy the story made the experience even more special.
Another memorable moment from the Reading Challenge was the author interaction session with Vithai, the author of The Story Janakye Bai. The session was filled with storytelling, curiosity, and meaningful conversations. Children listened to her stories, asked questions, and shared their thoughts.
One of the most valuable lessons Bookworm has taught me is the importance of equality and respect. This space does not create divisions based on gender, caste, or religion. Everyone is welcomed and treated with equal respect. It is not just something that is talked about but the environment itself allows people to experience it. Through its work with children, Bookworm creates a space where everyone can express themselves freely and learn to respect each other.
Before joining Bookworm, I was not a very active reader. However, being surrounded by books, readers, and conversations about stories encouraged me to develop a reading habit. Writing reading logs and daily reflections motivated me to read regularly. Slowly, I started exploring the rich collection of books available in the library. Choosing books has become an exciting journey because there are always new stories waiting to be discovered. Recommendations from colleagues and the diverse collection have introduced me to authors and stories that I may not have explored otherwise. This environment has helped me understand the joy of reading.
My journey at Bookworm is still continuing and I know there is so much more to learn and experience. Every day brings new opportunities to grow through conversations with children, learning from team-mates, exploring books and taking on new challenges.
I came to Bookworm with a wish to become a part of this space but this journey has given me much more than I imagined. It has helped me grow as a library educator, a reader and as an individual. As I continue my journey here, I look forward to discovering more adventures, learning from every experience and becoming a better version of myself along the way.