The Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy has started setting up personalized libraries for individuals and organizations interested in creating spaces for reading. | Photo credit: special arrangement
As reading habits continue to decline in the digital age, Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy has launched a unique initiative to revive library culture by bringing books directly to homes, offices and community spaces across Karnataka.
The academy began establishing personalized libraries for individuals and organizations interested in creating reading spaces, with each library consisting of a shelf and a curated collection of books based on the recipient’s preferences.
Speaking to The Hindu about the initiative, Ajjinikanda Academy President Mahesh Nachaiah said the program was launched with an intention to encourage people to reconnect with books at a time when libraries and reading habits are slowly disappearing.
“These days, many young people spend more time on mobile phones and social networks, while the culture of reading books is gradually disappearing. By establishing libraries in homes, offices and community spaces, we want to create an environment where books become part of everyday life again. Even a small library can spark curiosity, discussion and the habit of reading in children and adults,” said Mr. Nachaiah.
Multilingual Library Initiative
Under the initiative, which began on February 7 this year, the academy collects a fee of ₹10,000, which is used to purchase books and provide a book shelf to applicants. Along with the books published by the Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy, other books are selected according to the interests and language preferences of the individual or organization.
Mr. Nachaiah said the initiative was not limited to Kodava literature. “Although this program is being implemented by Kodava Sahitya Academy, we are not only providing Kodava books. We are providing books in Kannada, English, Kodava and other languages as per people’s preference. We are also collecting books through donations and purchasing additional titles to make each library unique and useful to the people who use it,” he said.
So far, the academy has set up libraries at nine locations, including residences, community spaces like Kodava Samajas, offices and associations in the district. One such library was also set up at the residence of Virajpet MLA AS Ponnanna. The initiative has spread beyond Kodagu, with a library already established in Mysuru by the Kodava Samaja.
Villages, ancestral houses
Among those who have benefited from the initiative is Kukera Jaya Chinappa, a resident of Arekadu village in Madikeri taluk.
“I was impressed with the concept when I heard about it. People in our village meet regularly in the evening at the association building and now we have a proper library there thanks to this initiative. The collection includes Kodava, Kannada and English books and many villagers have started reading in their spare time,” he told The Hindu.
Similarly, Palandira Jaga Joyappa, a resident of Balamberi village, said the initiative has helped preserve the literary legacy of his native house. “Our grandparents were avid readers and devoted themselves to the field of literature and had a large collection of books. Over the years, many books were lost or scattered because we did not know how to maintain them properly. After learning about this initiative, the academy helped us organize the books and set up a proper library in our ancestral home,” he told The Hindu.
“With increasing interest from individuals and organizations, the Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy hopes to expand the initiative further across the state in the coming months. Many people are already approaching us to have their own libraries,” added Mr. Nachaiah.
Published – 10 May 2026 07:00 IST
