Solan, August 12
Shoolini University marked National Librarian’s Day with the inauguration of its new ‘Book Nook’ initiative, a community-based open library concept aimed at promoting reading, knowledge sharing and sustainable use of resources on campus.
The initiative was inaugurated by Prof. Ashoo Khosla, Chief Learning Officer, Shoolini University. The Book Nook has been designed as a small, accessible open library where members of the university community can take a book to read and leave a book for someone else. The initiative is based on the principles of sharing, trust and community learning, allowing books to reach multiple readers and encouraging a culture of continuous learning.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Ashoo Khosla said, “A book becomes truly meaningful when its knowledge is shared. The Book Nook is a simple yet powerful idea that brings people together through reading and encourages us to share knowledge with one another. I hope this initiative inspires our students and staff to read more, share more and make learning a part of everyday campus life.”
The University inaugurated two Book Nooks as the first phase of the initiative. More such spaces are planned at common locations across the campus, including the CRC near Pine Court, G-H Block, hostels, E-Block and the AI Building, making books easily accessible to students and staff.
Director, Yogananda Knowledge Centre (YKC), (Retd.) Col. TPS Gill, said that the initiative carried a strong message of sustainability and responsible consumption. Rather than allowing books to remain unused on shelves or in homes, the Book Nook gives them a new life by allowing them to pass from one reader to another. The Book Nooks themselves have been created by reusing old machines, reflecting the principles of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, while combining sustainability with the promotion of reading.
The initiative was supported by several teams and individuals across the University. The organisers expressed their gratitude to the Chancellor, Prof P K Khosla, for his vision and the Vice Chancellor, Prof Atul Khosla, for his continued encouragement. Special appreciation was extended to Mr Vinod Chopra, (Retd.) Brig SD Mehta Director Operations, and his team, Mr. Suresh Sharma and his team, Dean Student Welfare team, and the YKC Library team members included librarians, Rakesh Sharma, Neelam Thakur, Neha Thakur, Vinod Sharma, Deepak Verma, and Archana, for their cooperation and efforts in making the initiative possible.
The organisers also acknowledged the contribution of Director Sustainability Ms Poonam Nanda, whose idea of promoting sustainability helped inspire the initiative. Appreciation was also extended to Mrs Prabh Subramaniam of the School of Design and Prof Charanjit Singh of the School of Journalism for their valuable support.
Dr Puja Thakur, Head Librarian, Shoolini University, said that the Book Nook initiative would encourage students and staff to read, exchange and donate books, while strengthening a culture of shared knowledge and sustainable practices across the campus.
“The University plans to expand the initiative to more locations in the coming months, creating a wider network of accessible reading spaces for the Shoolini community,” Dr Thakur added.
