×
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Inculcating reading habit among children since six decades

Last Updated 13 December 2017, 18:07 IST

The Rotary Children's Library Association (RCLA), which was established 60 years ago, has the rare distinction of being the first of its kind in the then Mysore state, exclusively for children.

The association was a dream project to commemorate Rotary International's golden jubilee celebrations.

The association's objective is to promote reading and communication among children below 15 years of age. One of the oldest libraries of Mysuru, it is well-equipped with thousands of books, both in English and Kannada. It constantly procures books for children to ensure that they are inspired and encouraged in the world of books.

To commemorate Rotary International's golden jubilee, the Rotary Club of Mysore had constituted a committee in 1955, to celebrate it in a meaningful manner. Then, they decided to establish a children's library, in Mysuru city.

Jayachamaraja Wadiyar, the erstwhile Maharaja of Mysuru, consented to be a patron in chief and donated Rs 4,000 in cash and also, valuable books in the name of his family members. The library started in February 1956 in a rented building, was registered in September 1957. The construction of the new building was completed in 1962. The golden jubilee of the library was celebrated on February 25, 2006.

Speaking to DH, Roopa Venkatesh, secretary of the RCLA said that their objective is to enable children to communicate better.

"The library, which started with 3,000 books, now has more than 20,000 books, across a wide variety of genre. Students of any school in the city can avail the facility, which is open during school hours. Taking reading to the next level, Kindle, an electronic tablet can be used to browse, download and read books," she said.

The RCLA is also expected to introduce a mobile library and also, set up another library at the Rotary School in Dattagalli, Roopa said.

60 years

To mark its 60 years of service, RCLA had organised many competitions like quiz, essay, and elocution for students. The finals of the quiz will be held at a programme to celebrate the 60th year at the Rotary auditorium, on December 14.

ADVERTISEMENT
(Published 13 December 2017, 17:32 IST)

Follow us on

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT