Citizen-run free public library Kitab Ghar to open its doors in Karachi

Kitab Ghar, a citizen-run free public library in Lahore, is making its way to Karachi this winter. The news was announced on Instagram, much to the delight of Karachiites.

Lahore’s Kitab Ghar was started in Ichhra 2021 by a group of eight friends. The library operates on donations — both of the financial and book variety.

Kitab Ghar hosts open mic nights, film screenings, poetry recitations and talks. Their most recent event was an open mic night with the theme of flight where they invited patrons to share their poems, thoughts, stories, or perform something.

Karachi’s Kitab Ghar is set to open in winter 2024, according to the poster shared on Instagram. “This library, like its counterpart in Lahore, belongs to the city. It is an idea that comes to life thanks to the people who become one with it — aam shehrion ki shamooliat se, hum ek aisa idara kharra karte hain jo khud mukhtari se chalne ka shauq rakhta hai aur progressive taaleem o tarbiat o tehzeeb ki awaaz buland karta hai [with the inclusion of the public, we will create an institution that will operate independently and will strengthen voices of progressive education, training and discipline].”

The library is being described as an open-source project and is currently seeking patronage as well as donations of books in Urdu, English, Sindhi and Balochi. It will be open seven days a week, from 11am to 8pm.