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

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.