Vadodara, Aug. 15 -- At a time when digital screens are increasingly becoming part of children's daily lives, a century-old library movement in Vadodara continues to promote reading and community learning through a unique cooperative model.

Established in 1924, the Gujarat Pustakalay Sahayak Sahakari Mandal is recognised as Asia's only cooperative society of public libraries. It brings together more than 1,400 member libraries through three branches across Gujarat.

The cooperative movement was inspired by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad's Library Department, established in 1910. Library pioneer Motibhai Amin later developed a cooperative model that enabled libraries to work together, share resources and expand access to knowledge.

Over the ...