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A free library is in the works in Karachi and you can help build it

A free library is in the works in Karachi and you can help build it

Comedian Junaid Akram is spearheading the initiative to encourage reading habits in Pakistan
Updated 27 Jul, 2017

After he bought books for a bunch of strangers, comedian/vlogger Junaid Akram has a new initiative for the promotion of reading culture in Pakistan.

In the works is a free library, which will function not just as a reading space but also a site for activities like book clubs and student counselling sessions.

In a Facebook video announcing the project, Akram revealed that career/educational counseling service Success Factor has lent and customised one of their venues in the Bukhari Commercial area for the purpose.

In the video, Akram gave a call for book donations to fill the library's shelves, which can hold up to 3000 titles! Once donations have been received, volunteers will generate an index of the books and the final catalogue will be uploaded online for everyone to check out. An app is also on the cards.

Akram said that people will be free to read at the venue or exchange the library's books with their own of equal value. He says the library will also offer free coffee, tea and snacks.

People can lend support to the library by donating not just books, but also funds for the library's upkeep and even re-stock the snack bar from their pocket. Speaking to Images, Akram shares that he also hopes to stock hard-to-obtain titles at the library using the crowd-sourced funds.

Sounds like a good plan! The library is expected to launch in two weeks. It is yet to be named, though, and suggestions are welcome!


People can drop off their book donations at the following address: 14-C, 2nd Floor, 7th commercial lane, Khayaban-e-Bukhari, Phase 6, DHA, Karachi. For direction or other queries, call +92 21 3534 2947-49.

Comments

zainab Jul 26, 2017 06:30pm
Where and how to donate?
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ISRAR HASAN Jul 26, 2017 06:31pm
Dear Junaid Akram I've a personal library of English and Urdu books in Florida, USA. Looking for deserving Library in Pakistan to donate my books. Let me know your interest. Thanks.
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Rehna Jul 26, 2017 06:35pm
Rather sweet
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Sohail anwar Jul 26, 2017 06:41pm
I was wishing to start it up and you have done it man! Hats of!
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Aijaz Ali Junejo Jul 26, 2017 07:09pm
we are waiting for this project in Dadu city
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LIFE Jul 26, 2017 07:24pm
There are so many libraries around, it wont make any difference if you add one more. The point is that, in Pakistan libraries are meant to take books from home and study for exams. We should appreciate that reading habits of people are changing. They want digital library to be accessed from anywhere. The concept of library is revolutionised, it is now free use of computers, Wi-Fi enabled facilities, movies, reference books, children activities, common rooms, discussion rooms, social discussions, movie downloads, e-books and a beautiful ambience to sit for longer hours. I admit, no philanthropist can do this alone, it requires resolve of the government and civilians reminding government of their duties.
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Onlooker Jul 26, 2017 07:33pm
I will provide some books in my next vocation trip. I appreciate your nobel obsession.
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shak Jul 26, 2017 07:47pm
This is the best news I see on Image , Reading is the need, Its the mother of our Education. Unless we dont read we cant write or talk well, Junaid keep doing this you will not get plenty of help because reading is considered crime in our society, no one reads in trains or bus or in parks parents dont make their children , you need to make them target
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gullu Badsha Jul 26, 2017 07:51pm
Willing to support in every way.
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Saffi raja Jul 26, 2017 08:12pm
Nice work
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Saffi raja Jul 26, 2017 08:13pm
Superb work
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J ahsan Jul 26, 2017 08:29pm
It nice to see young generation contributing back to its society. Keep up the good work Junaid Akram "Thumbs Up"
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Zarq Jul 26, 2017 08:32pm
good job man, amazinggg :)
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Akhtar Soomro Jul 26, 2017 09:11pm
go great man' a+ congratulations!
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Luna Jul 26, 2017 09:36pm
Fantastic idea!
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Saif Zulfiqar Jul 26, 2017 11:30pm
During my school days, there were two libraries in Kharadhar area of Karachi for everybody. The libraries were stocked with very informative books and daily newspaper of Karachi. Bothe these libraries are gone long time ago. One was on Harris Road and other was opposite Merewether Tower.
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Jul 27, 2017 12:19am
Excellent work. Keep it up and hang on tough. May God Almighty bless you and grant you success in your current as well as all future philanthropic projects. Aameen, Tsum Aameen.
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Farooq qureshi Jul 27, 2017 12:24am
@zainab Address for book delivery: 14-C, 2nd Floor, 7th commercial lane, Khayaban-e-Bukhari, Phase 6, DHA Karachi. Ph: +92 21 3534 2947-49
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Farooq qureshi Jul 27, 2017 12:44am
If anyone is willing to donate. Address for book delivery: 14-C, 2nd Floor, 7th commercial lane, Khayaban-e-Bukhari, Phase 6, DHA Karachi. Ph: +92 21 3534 2947-49 Be part of this noble cause.
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mas Jul 27, 2017 02:39am
Nice Effort.Would have made more sense if this library was in a middle class locality.
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Mahin Jul 27, 2017 03:02am
Great Initiative!! No idea of " An app is also on the cards " do take a look at koha-community dot org check out the features and it is FREE and Open Source. If you need help with deploying this just indicate interest.
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imp3 Jul 27, 2017 04:39am
@mas , Agree
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imp3 Jul 27, 2017 04:48am
@Saif Zulfiqar , Harris road ? which one? and where? ( by the way, I left Kharadher 30 years ago) but there was one at Bombay bazar and other one near Achi qabr. The one near Mereweather tower used to be call Majlise ilmi and it has now moved to near Binnoria Masjid/ Jamshed road, if you go and ask (still has got the same name) someone,you will find it.
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Sam Jul 27, 2017 05:13am
Useless initiative.
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Rizwana Jul 27, 2017 06:11am
I have books I would like to donate. How and where?
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Hasan hai Pakistani Jul 27, 2017 06:33am
good job. Reading habit a must for Pakistanis.
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Mustafa Baloch Jul 27, 2017 08:24am
Great job ...................Inspiring and intriguing....loving it.
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khan Jul 27, 2017 09:09am
Great Job..there are thousand of book sitting in every house as people are stick on gadgets and Mobile phones, i am sure you will get 30,000 books soon.
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Qasim Jul 27, 2017 10:07am
@ISRAR HASAN Dear Sir, Please get in touch with Junaid through his Facebook page. I'm pretty sure he wont be reading this comments section. Pasted below is his facebook page link for your perusal. And thank you very much for volunteering for such a great cause. https://www.facebook.com/junaid.akram/
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Summiya Jul 27, 2017 02:38pm
@LIFE reading habits of people are not changing. People still prefer reading old style books rather than e-books. It is a great initiative. And by the by, where are thousands of free libraries in Karachi? There might be a very few and with old stocks. DHA library is good but for common people it is expensive.
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observation Jul 28, 2017 01:31am
Suggest a printer and a small photocopying machine on the premises
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