Malappuram school library brings books to readers’ doorsteps

For those who cannot walk into a library and pick up a book, a school in Malappuram has found a way to take the library to their doorstep.

The Irinas Library of Darul Hidaya Orphanage Higher Secondary School at Pookkarathara, near Edappal, has opened its shelves to the wider community, delivering books to readers through a new home-based service.

Through its Community Reading Programme, the library has transformed itself into a public resource, reaching out to people who are unable to access conventional libraries.

The school’s National Service Scheme (NSS) unit is taking up the responsibility of delivering and collecting books from readers.

Irinas Library’s website interface.

General Education Minister N. Samsudheen launched the initiative on Saturday (July 11). “The speciality of this programme is that books are being sent to terminally ill patients across Malappuram district through Palliative Care units,” said Abdul Jaleel M.V., senior higher secondary English teacher.

For readers in Edappal and nearby areas, NSS volunteers will personally deliver books and collect them after use. For bedridden patients receiving palliative care in different parts of the district, books will be sent through postal services. The service is offered free of cost.

Students and teachers have developed a dedicated library website using a free platform, allowing readers to browse the collection and place book requests online. The service can be accessed free of charge through www.dhohsslibrary.com.

The library uses the globally recognised Koha library management software to handle book transactions and follows the Dewey Decimal Classification system for organising its collection.

Irinas Library is among the few higher secondary school libraries in the State to adopt such advanced library management systems.

To encourage students to cultivate a reading habit, the school’s Commerce A batch (2005-2007) has also set up a reading garden on the campus.