INTRODUCTION

Most of the poor people of limited reading ability and purchasing power live in villages, small towns, and urban slum areas in Pakistan where bookstores or other retail outlets do not exist and would be expensive to establish and maintain. These poor people would buy certain books that meet their needs, answer their questions, inform them of crucial issues in their lives, and be used as resource material for their work, health, and general knowledge. Usually there are a few persons in the area that are reliable, trustworthy, dependable and helpful.

Why Book Steward

The audience needs functional literature that they can easily read and understand, that they can purchase within their means, and obtain these books and materials without travelling to cities or searching endlessly, or waiting for a book. Although their book needs may be minimal, they are important and should be available. The audience needs to view and examine a variety of books before parting with their hard-earned cash. Since these people cannot easily go to where the books are, the books need to be come to them.

What the Book Steward Does

A carefully selected person, most probably a women, is selected, trained and equipped with a display rack and an initial stock of carefully selected books. This person of discipline and integrity can become the KHIDMATGAR-E-KUTAB (BOOK STEWARD) for his/her village, town, or neighborhood. She/he would display the books at every opportunity and assist the potential buyers and readers in selecting that right book to meet their particular interest and need. Service would be the main objective.

Training

The selected person is given a training on how to operate the scheme, display books, keep an inventory and simple accounting, how to re-order, how to help customers and refer them to the right book, and store the books and materials properly. Questions and discussions would clarify the task and responsibilities. Each Book Steward would be given individual help in selecting the titles for the initial stock.

NK's Vision for Book Stewardship

NK aims to recruit hundreds of book stewards so that our target audience, which we estimate is 85% of the total literate population of Pakistan, is provided this service. NK would like to see the book stewards spread in the length and breadth of the county.

Invitation

Not all people care for others and want to be a help; not all can handle stock and accounts of money; not all are regarded with respect and trust and not everyone is willing to maintain a service on a regular, long-term basis. THERE ARE SOME THAT CAN SERVE! This project is for those "special" individuals that can "light a candle of knowledge instead of cursing the darkness of ignorance". A good person does good works. The right person is the key to bringing the right books to the community. Are you that person? Do you know someone who can accept this challenge? Do you share the conviction that people will buy books if they are available and useful?

Please contact Nirali Kitaben to find out about this project. We would greatly welcome your contact.