Inside Urban Hub Café, located below old town hall, Bookipedia, the free library is an initiative of a group of young people who call themselves the Bookipedians launched with an aim to encourage the art of reading among the younger generation back in December 2019.
“Bookipedia” is an amalgamation of two words ‘Book’ and ‘Wikipedia’ suggesting that like Wikipedia, the library is a free source of knowledge and information for all.
Inspiration behind opening the library
Realizing that there were neither good bookstores in Mokokchung nor a library, Bookipedia was launched with an aim to encourage and promote the art of reading in Mokokchung and to provide a reading space for the citizens, especially the youth. The library aims at inculcating the habit of reading in a time when everyone is hooked to cell phones and other technology.
About the founders
The foundation of the library involves a large number of people. Bendangrenla Longkumer (representing members from Delhi) and Sentilong Ozukum (representing members from Mokokchung) were the driving force behind the library’s creation.
How are the books collected?
Initially books for the library were collected from various donors. It took about two years to collect the books from various donors across the country and to be shipped to Mokokchung.
Heritage Publishing House Dimapur also donates all of its released books regularly. They also have a modest amount set aside to purchase books, particularly Ao Literature.
Currently, the library has more than 1500 books including books from Naga writers and has a variety of sub-categories. Bookipedia also has a list of 100 books to read before you die as a special category in the collection.
How has Bookipedia grown over the years?
With about 861 cards issued so far and 3 to 4 people borrowing books every week, Bookipedia that started as a Free Library in 2019 has evolved into the Bookipedia Foundation in 2020.
Further in 2021, with the publication of Sentilong Ozukum’s book, “The Case of Longti Village” Bookipedia Publications was founded.
What is next for Bookipedia?
With the help of Institute of Communication and Information Technology (ICIT), Mokokchung, the library management is undergoing digitization.
The members are also working to sponsor Meritorious Students for both academic and non-academic studies through the Bookipedia Foundation.
How to access books in Bookipedia?
Bookipedia is located inside Urban Hub Café, located below the old town hall. Anyone can register for the free library, and can obtain a membership card at Urban Hub Café for a fee of two hundred rupees, which will be refunded when the library card is returned. A person can borrow three books for five days at a time.
