Offering a tech edge to thrilling reads
In an age where e-books and e-book readers are common, not all have said goodbye to paperbacks. In fact, the traditionalists are in good numbers. Book lending facilities that keenly follow evolving trends in reading habits are finding innovative means that involve technology to keep the bibliophiles coming and engaged.
Like JustBooks, call it an ATM of books - though one with specific business hours and a day off - as there is no librarian. Instead, the library has adopted Radio Frequency Identification technology (similar to one used when shopping in malls) which lets it issue books and receive books returned by members at the swipe of a card. Vinod Shankar, head of marketing and sales, JustBooks, says, “A member can, for instance, borrow a book in Mumbai or Pune and return it at any outlet in Bangalore.” This advanced technology has done away with the need of a librarian. All a centre needs is someone to administer memberships and keep check on the book inventory. The library also home delivers books.
With over 10,000 books in its ‘network’, JustBooks lends through 35 libraries in Bangalore spread across neighbourhoods of Domlur, Sarjapur, Indiranagar, Malleswaram, Jayanagar and J P Nagar. It also runs 11 libraries in other cities across the country.
R Sundar Rajan started JustBooks in 2008. “At that time, I noticed that Whitefield, where I stay, did not have many options to borrow books from, especially fresh collections, which were hard to come by. That’s when I thought of starting a library in Whitefield,” he says.
The response was heartening “I was surprised by the overwhelming reaction to the library. We signed on 1,000 members and had enquiries from people who wanted a branch in their neighbourhood too,” says Rajan.
JustBooks sources its stocks directly from publishers. “The books are then sent to a warehouse in J P Nagar where they are covered with a protective jacket. This increases the life span of the books. Also, if we come across any damage caused to the book by a member, we take it off circulation,” says Shankar.
JustBooks has established an exclusive Kannada book outlet in Basavanagudi. “There are over 7,000 Kannada titles available in this library. We believe that residents here will easily associate with regional books,” says Shankar.