Mridula Koshy
Nurturing Democracy through Libraries of Joy and Inclusion
Mridula Koshy
Mridula Koshy, a veteran librarian and trustee at The Community Library Project, is not just fostering a love for reading; she is spearheading a movement to make libraries accessible to all children. As a member of the Research and Action Committee of the Free Libraries Network, Mridula’s dedication to the foundational role of libraries in democracy is evident.
Libraries as Pillars of Democracy
In Mridula’s vision, a library is a powerful foundational pillar of democracy. It ensures equitable participation in social, cultural, political, and economic aspects by providing free and equal access to information. Libraries, according to Mridula, not only offer books but also cultivate a spirit of collective participation, creating a community readership that keeps ideas alive through critique, celebration, rejection, and sharing.
Cultivating a Culture of Reading
Mridula has played a pivotal role in building a vibrant culture of reading at The Community Library Project. Through free-of-cost memberships, warm welcomes, open shelving, free choice of reading materials, daily read-alouds, and programs like the Honour Roll, which celebrates reading milestones, she has created an environment that encourages fluency, enjoyment, and pursuit of reading. This culture extends to book clubs, writing workshops, theatre, and a sense of well-being, safety, fraternity, and equality among library members.
From Readers to Leaders
The impact of Mridula’s efforts is evident in the library’s growth over ten years, with 10,000 members, including young children who have grown into adults actively involved in running the library as Trustees, Administrators, and Librarians. This transformation is a powerful testament to the library’s success in not only instilling a love for reading but also empowering members to take ownership and lead.
Library of Joy and Inclusion
Mridula proudly shares a poignant quote from a library leader who, once a Class 8 student, now serves as a Librarian. He believes that “Library is the result of Anger,” expressing frustration at the exclusion norm in literature, reading, and libraries in India. Despite this anger, The Community Library Project has become a beacon of joy and inclusion, challenging the status quo by making literature and reading accessible to all.
Ownership and Equality
Mridula emphasizes that a good library should be owned by its members, ensuring it is a space of equality and sharing rather than a place where some provide for others. This principle reflects the essence of the library’s success in fostering a sense of community and collective responsibility.
Challenges and the Future
Mridula acknowledges the global challenge of containing ideas, especially those related to fraternity and equality. In India, she foresees the historic exclusion of people from reading taking the form of government-created libraries that prioritize study space and internet access over the availability of books. Despite these challenges, Mridula remains steadfast in her commitment to the cause of making reading and libraries open, inclusive, and free for all.
Mridula Koshy’s story is one of resilience, determination, and a deep-seated belief in the transformative power of libraries. Her efforts not only nurture a culture of reading but also contribute to the democratization of knowledge, ensuring that libraries become agents of joy, inclusion, and equal access to ideas.
