Spreading the Joy of Reading!

If a large, cross section of Panjim’s teenagers are actually reading books despite the smartphone invasion, there is a good chance, Bookworm, the Taleigao based library has had a role to play in it. Not only has Bookworm inculcated the joy of reading among school children of Panjim in the last ten years, but it continues to do so even today, by taking its library to underprivileged children in bastis like Chimbel and across several schools of Goa.

Not surprising then, that the directorate of art and culture bestowed the title of ‘best state library’ on Bookworm. Bookworm has had an eventful journey. Sujata Noronha, the evangelical book lover realised in 2005 that her home library consisted of 3,200 books which had been read by her two, young sons. She felt that it would be utterly selfish, if these books were not shared with the outside world. This is how Sujata began the library with her children’s books in a rented, Panjim apartment with the help of friend and associate, Elaine Mendonsa.

Today, Sujata continues to look at creating newer book reading opportunities for children. Realising that the academic rigour at schools, television and several other distractions have reduced footfalls in her library, Sujata simply decided to take the library to where the children are. Quite like the mountain going to Muhammad in the fable. Speaking to Herald a few afternoons ago, Sujata said, “I realised that a library could not remain a physical structure. It had to be fluid. We could either sit and mourn the fact that fewer children were coming to read our books or simply take the library to them. We decided to do the latter.”

Today, the dedicated, Bookworm team despite its limited resources drives into government aided schools in the State and executes its ‘Library in Schools’ (LIS) programmes or visits under-privileged bastis of Goa and opens up the magical world of books for little children under their, ‘Mobile Outreach Programme’ (MOP).

Through MOP, Bookworm has identified bastis where children have absolutely no access to books. Indiranagar, Chimbel is a case in point. Team Bookworm stores its colourful children’s books in a hired room inside the basti. The team visits the basti, three afternoons in the week, and opens up the colourful world of books for the children. The children can borrow the books, paint and draw at the centre and get stories read out to them. And all this completely free of cost. Hence, when a journalist, reporting a civic story in Chimbel once asked the residents, if there was anything they were proud of in Chimbel, a little nine-year boy said, “Yes, we have our Bookworm library!”

Similarly, in the LIS, Bookworm has identified eight schools in North and South Goa which they care for. With the exception of the Shri Mahalxmi Vidyalaya in Panjim and the VV Adarsh school in Margao, most schools where Bookworm runs the LIS, do not have a library to speak about. No dedicated rooms, no books, no nothing. This is why Bookworm’s contribution is significant. At no cost to the school, Bookworm visits these schools every day of the week, handholding every single class, from class one to eight and opening up the world of books for them. Shri Mahalaxmi Vidyalaya who pays for the services and VV Adarsh, who has actually built their own library inspired by Bookworm are exceptions in the LIS programme.

Of course, Bookworm’s ten-year journey has not been a fairy-tale. They have had several challenges and struggles staring them in the face. Financial and human resources being the most significant. However, selfless, guardian angels have helped Bookworm stay on their feet. Here is how. When Bookworm’s first library space in Panjim came under threat, after neighbours complained about the sounds made by little children(!), the library faced imminent closure. This is when, Vinni Timblo from the prominent business family identified a bungalow in Taleigao and asked Team Bookworm to move in. As Sujata said with moist eyes, “This was unconditional support. Vinni simply said, ‘how can a library close down?!’ ”

Noted writer, Dr Maria Aurora Couto is another Bookworm benefactor. When Sujata shared the challenges of running her LIS programme with Couto, Couto unhestitatingly agreed to fund a significant part of Bookworm’s Aldona LIS programme. Thanks to Couto’s financial support, Sujata is confident that Aldona’s school children could well emerge as one of the most well read in Goa in five years’ time.

Similarly, when Bookworm was without a vehicle, Harish Zantye from the popular business family unhesitatingly donated a Santro car to Bookworm helping them conduct their outreach programmes.  

Sujata, however loves these challenges. Says the committed book lover, “Struggles and challenges bring out the best in you. It is only when one is challenged, that creative solutions are explored.” Recent Bookworm innovations include, reading at the popular, Panjim Bandstand every Sunday evening. Till recently, Bookworm volunteers would read to school children at the Garcia de Orta park.