A Library's Journey
From 25 paisa and children's dreams to access 15,000 books
Photo: Agamir Somoy
It all began with just 3 taka 25 paisa and the dreams coincided with 13 young children wishes. Nearly five decades later, that tiny spark has blossomed into a rich library housing 15,000 books. More than just a place to read, this library has become the vibrant heart of intellectual pursuit and cultural activity for the entire community.
Forty-nine years ago, a group of enterprising children and teenagers from Bariali village in Chowgacha upazila, Jashore, took the initiative to establish the library. Today, it is known as the "Bariali Youth Library."
The library opened its doors on May 30, 1977. At that time, access to books in rural areas was extremely limited. Driven by this scarcity, 13 children, aged between 10 and 15, decided to build a library of their own. On its inaugural day, each of them contributed 25 paisa. That modest sum of 3 taka 25 paisa became the library's very first capital.
One of its founding members and renowned researcher Nasir Helal (Munshi Meherullah) recalled the early days in an interview with Agamir Somoy. "I was a ninth-grade student when we founded the library. The others were in second and third grade. There was no electricity in the village back then, the roads were muddy, and not a single school or college existed in the neighboring areas. Our initiative came from a simple desire—to let the people of our village gain knowledge by reading books."
He added, "I never imagined that a library started with just 25 paisa contributions would one day grow this big. Now, children come from far and wide to read here. It fills me with immense pride."
Today, the Bariali Youth Library boasts a collection of nearly 15,000 books, covering literature, history, science, religion, autobiographies, novels, travelogues, documents on the Liberation War, employment guides, and children's literature. It has become a vital hub for learning and cultural activities for local residents.
Local reader Nurul Islam expressed his thoughts, saying, "This library is a treasure trove of knowledge for our area. The books here are especially helpful for learning about religious and social matters. It is impossible for ordinary village people to buy all these books, so this library is truly a blessing for us."
The library's General Secretary, Harun or Rashid Montu, told Agami Samay that it is registered as number 001 under the Jashore Government Library Directorate and holds an 'A' (Ka) category status in Bangladesh. A few years ago, a cyclone severely damaged the semi-pucca building, destroying many valuable books. However, the library later built a new pucca structure with its own funds, which now features a large reading room and an office room.
He further mentioned that beyond lending books, the library actively carries out various social and developmental activities. Each year, it honors meritorious students and provides financial assistance to underprivileged learners based on its capacity.
The library is completely free and open to everyone. No member has to pay any fees or subscriptions to read here. It remains open daily from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
However, in the modern age, addiction to mobile phones has taken a toll on readership. Previously, an average of 50 to 60 readers visited daily, but that number has now dropped to 30 to 35. On a positive note, researchers and PhD candidates from various public universities across the country still regularly visit the library for their research needs.
