Mihira Gujral, a 17-year-old studying in a private school in Bengaluru, has started Katha Ghar, a free library in a small hut-shaped box installed in front of her house in Koramangala 1st Block.

Speaking to The Hindu, Ms. Gujral said: “My father and I were on a trek in the United States of America (USA) and I came across a free book library installed in the front yard of a house. We were both happy to see this free book unit and thought of implementing the same in front of our house. Hence, my father had this hut-like wooden box designed and installed in December 2025.”

Recently, Katha Ghar registered as a member of the Delhi-based Free Libraries Network, an organisation that works to build, operate and advocate for free libraries that guarantee equal access for all to reading, learning, and information resources.

She added: “The main reason behind it was to encourage more young readers and to stop people from scrolling on their phones mindlessly. Initially, we started with a personal collection of fiction books and developed the collection of other genres later. At a time, the box can hold nearly 35 to 40 books. Readers across all age groups, including women and those working on quick-commerce platforms, pick books and return them.”

Sharing a personal interaction with a quick-commerce delivery person, she said: “A gig worker once picked a book to read and sat near a tree close to our house to read it. I told him that these books were free and that he could take them home, read them and return them. However, he declined and said his roommates would mock him if he was found reading books. This incident touched us.”

Low return rate

So far, Katha Ghar has lent around 400 books and the return rate is around 30% to 40%, said Ms. Gujral. “The return rate is low, but it is fine as people will develop reading habits and gain knowledge. Some people cannot afford to spend on subscriptions to private libraries or buy new books, and that is where our little library plays an important role,” she added.

Book curation

Now, the father-daughter duo has started curating books according to ongoing news around the world or particular national or state events. “My father and I go book shopping in second-hand stores or even at exhibitions and curate books accordingly. For example, during IPL cricket matches and the FIFA World Cup, we left books in this library related to matches and world-class players. In March, during spring, we curated books written by Bengaluru authors about the beauty of the city. During the West Asia crisis, we curated books related to geopolitics and so on,” she said.

Expansion

After receiving an overwhelming response and requests from neighbours, they have installed another free library at another location in their locality. “We have also installed a Katha Ghar in a private school in Thrissur, Keralam, after someone saw it and requested us for one. Similarly, we are planning to install some more Katha Ghars in schools in Delhi, Gurugram, and some government schools in Bengaluru,” Ms. Gujral said.