All you can read: Zakia sets up book nests in Dhanmondi lake

In the Dhanmondi lake, you will notice a change – small wooden boxes that hang from the trees. 

They look just like bird nests. But instead of birds, you'll see books neatly stacked inside. 

Anyone can grab a book from there and take a shot at a reading session. 

There is one simple rule, though. You must put the book back in its place after you're done reading it.

The person behind this incredible initiative is Zakia Rayhana Rupa, who is a book lover herself. 

Rupa, a resident of Dhanmondi, launched this micro-library at Dhanmondi Lake Park to promote reading in the busy city. 

Inspired by the concept of "little free libraries" in Germany, she set up a wooden bookshelf with a simple rule: borrow a book, read it, and return it. 

Photo: TBS

She was inspired after watching a video on Facebook where she saw bookcases on streets, bus stations, and even in a forest in Germany. 

People were not only reading books, some were also donating them.

And Rupa thought, "If this is possible in Germany, why not in Bangladesh?" 

She then decided to set up similar small bookshelves in Dhaka. Since her home is near Dhanmondi Lake, she started from there.

On 16 November, Rupa began with just one bookcase containing five books by Mahyuddin Mohammad. Now, there are a total of 10 bookcases at various spots around the lake. Each bookcase contains a variety of books.

Rupa said since the beginning, she has received a tremendous response from people. People of all ages who visit the lake were showing interest. Many read regularly, while others at least look through the books, even if they don't read them.

Rupa has put up a notice under each bookcase, which reads, "Read books from here, and after reading, please return them carefully to the bookcase. Books cannot be taken home." 

She also urged people to donate books.

Lamia Islam Chhoa was reading a book from one of the cases. 

"I'm so happy, I can't even describe it. I come to walk by the lake every day. Even if it's just for 10 minutes, I'll read a book. Even if I don't read, I feel good just being near these wonderful books," said Chhoa.

The small bookcases hanging from the trees are attracting a lot of attention. 

Rupa explained that the reason for making small bookcases is that it makes books easily accessible to people.

"I can place a bookcase right within people's reach. Each case holds 7–8 books. Since they are small, many can be placed in one area. Wherever people sit, I can place one there so that anyone can reach out and pick up a book to read," said Rupa.

Among many inspired by Rupa's initiative, Kazi Mohammad Numan, a student at Dhaka College, brought about 10 books from his personal collection to add to the bookcase.

"Only the first bookcase and books were funded by me. Since then, all the other bookcases and books have been donated by people. One person donated 117 books from their grandmother, another sent around 20 books, and someone else even couriered books. This is all happening with everyone's support," she said.

Rupa has selected books that can positively impact people's intellectual development, leaving out novels, stories, and poetry. She has included works by authors like Rabindranath Tagore, Humayun Azad, and Ahmed Sofa.

Photo: TBS

Rupa said, "Compared to our population, the number of libraries in our country is very low. In this congested city, people don't have the mental peace to read books after reaching a library. I thought, if books can be brought closer to people, they will read them. Even those who aren't used to reading will become interested when they see others reading."

Rupa mentioned that many people have shown interest in her project. "Everyone has taken it so positively, sharing it with enthusiasm." 

Some have even expressed interest in working with her. Rupa said, "It's not necessary to join me. You can start your own initiative in your local area."

On a late afternoon, Abdullah Al Mamun was sitting on a bench by the lake, reading the Bengali translation of Satoshi Yagisawa's "Days at the Morisaki Bookshop".

He said, "A person lives on through their deeds. Even when the person behind this initiative is no longer around, someone might remember her and say, she was the one who first placed a bookcase at Dhanmondi Lake. And I thank her for this."