When we are hostage to this smartphone and we don't see the need to pick up a book or read an article because information is at our fingertips, to say that book culture is dying may not be an exaggeration.
Libraries vs Used Bookshops:
Existing libraries in big cities of Pakistan discriminate against residency and education , they missed that opportunity to be a shelter and refuge for a tired mind and a playground for the imagination, they stayed uninviting, non inclusive, commercially motivated and restrictive.
Quaid -e Azam Library limits it’s membership to only masters students that are also from few approved universities, that fades the purpose
of a library .
“DHA Lahore library was once approached to offer free “story telling time” from my friend.
It was shocking that the manager basically replied, ” if we let you do it for free for the children,
what is in it for us ?”
Hope at the End of the Tunnel !
However this less availability of books and reading materials gave birth to library type bookshops which
offered reading fans a refuge and an ambiance they craved.
Paid library memberships from Oxford University Press and now Feroze sons and Readings opened
up their big outlets to facilitate browsing and buying both, a welcoming trend for a privileged educated
population from posh locals, but still out of the reach for 90% of the population.
New Trend : Readings style Book shops
Since" Readings" style book shops where you can get a variety of used books as well on discounts with new expensive books, it encourages reading habits... " these new library type Bookstores also encourage people to relax and browse, which makes
it more inviting... some older bookshops are adapting this style... in a place where libraries are limited
to a chosen few.... it is a very welcome trend, we wish it to expand more.
Books for Children :
Kids develop a love of reading and books if it's been introduced in their formative years, if it's in an environment with less distractions like TV or gaming around them.
Neighborhood gaming rooms or hangout places or to mobile gaming apps .
Reading is a good habit and it makes people less lonely when you need a friend to pick up a book
Lahore’s history is deeply rooted in literary heritage;
The city has a long history of book culture, from publishing houses of good old Urdu bazaars to sidewalk book sellers to LLF
in 2000 era,
Sidewalk used book sellers:
From Anarkali Lahore to Sadar bazar Karachi these used books sellers receive appreciation from
students and avid book readers who despite their love for reading want a good bargain, a good place
to look for some rare editions as well .
Centuries Old Book Culture of Subcontinent:
You can find an “Urdu Bazar '' almost in every city of the subcontinent, usually a landmark in an
i adore how Readings allows you to sit back and actually flip through the books--elsewhere the books are on display--makes me feel like I am in a museum and not a bookstore!!
ReplyDeleteYeah Reading is quite good on this matter, if you step in any other bookshop the sales or in charge person expects you that you are going to tell the name of the book, purchase it and ta ta bye bye!
ReplyDelete