Open Books, Tiny Hands: How Pune’s Libraries Are Bringing Kids Back to Reading

11 2 minutes read

In an era when children often swipe screens before they can spell, Pune is quietly witnessing a reading revival. Across the city, vibrant libraries run largely by passionate parents are rekindling a love for books and stories among children. These community spaces are reimagining an old culture in fresh ways—valuing curiosity over clicks.

Kahanee Kids Library

Founded by Gayatri Patwardhan in June 2022, Kahanee Kids Library started as a humble passion project in a small outhouse and has since expanded to two branches in Karve Nagar and Baner, serving over 1,500 young readers. After living in the United States for five years, Patwardhan wanted to bring the community library culture she experienced abroad to Pune.Today, with over 40,000 books and weekly storytelling sessions, Kahanee is a creative haven where children’s imaginations flourish. Parents have noted a remarkable change: Dr. Rohit Behere calls it “a godsend” for his twin daughters, while Anagha Mehendale shares, “My daughter’s curiosity has really grown. She reads everything from fiction to space books. It has widened her horizon.”

Joy by Books and Book My Reads

In Pashan, Joy by Books, founded by Priya Riswadkar, nurtures a similar warmth. What began as a love for stories has grown into a community of over 1,200 members with 25,000 books—70% geared toward young readers.“Reading shouldn’t stop with childhood,” Riswadkar says. “It should grow with you—from picture books to paperbacks, from fairytales to philosophy.”Meanwhile, Book My Reads, with branches in Sahakar Nagar and Kothrud and founded by Prajakta Kulkarni, celebrates reading as a community event.

With 16,000 books and 400 members—80% children—it hosts storytelling and reading sessions that bring families together. Their popular ‘Reader of the Month Award’ often goes to kids who read over 60 books in a month. Kulkarni emphasizes, “Parents often think reading is secondary to academics, but it’s essential for building language, empathy, and confidence.

”Unnati Books and Toys Library
Started in 2011 by Nutan Gala, Unnati Books and Toys Library in Wakad was born from a simple desire: to provide children access to quality books and toys. Now a beloved community hub, it houses over 15,000 books and serves 2,000 active members. Beyond books, it offers sensorial reading materials and hands-on workshops that make learning fun.“A book is a gateway to the world; it builds confidence, language, and understanding,” Gala says.

She believes fostering reading habits early doesn’t just help children learn—it helps them fall in love with learning itself.Parents echo this transformation. “My 13-year-old now reads every day and has become more articulate,” shares Prajakta Kulkarni, highlighting the powerful impact these libraries have on young minds.Together, these libraries are sparking a quiet reading revolution in Pune—one tiny hand and open book at a time.