A book corner, Jhenaidah
One shelf in a school, club or room by a mosque, donated books, and a lending register.
- 0/3 people
- About 8 hours
- 10
- points
About this task
Village schools in Jhenaidah have very few books beyond the textbooks. A bookshelf in a school, club or room by a mosque (stories, science, biographies, picture books for children, all donated) and a lending register. One local person opens it two days a week.
Why it matters
In many villages and small towns there is no book within reach beyond the textbook. A child who reads stories grows both reading habit and imagination, while in town homes read books gather dust.
What changes after
At least a hundred books on the shelf; at least twenty loans in the first month; the key and register with one responsible person.
Who can join
Anyone; you can join from abroad by donating books.
Step by step
0 of 3 steps doneHow to do it, in order.About 7 hours across all steps
- 1
A place and a keeper
Someone who will open the room two days a week.
60 min
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet - 2
Collect books
Stories, science, biographies, picture books for children. Not textbooks.
300 minবইয়ের তাক
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet - 3
The lending register
Name, book, date. Back in two weeks.
60 minখাতা
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet
What you need
- A bookshelf · ১টি
- Donated books · অন্তত ১০০টি
When it counts as done
- At least a hundred books on the shelf
- At least twenty loans in the first month
Proof required
- Photo
- Document
The full guide
What it takes, and how to do it
Never done this before? No matter. The cost, the timeline, who does what, whom to speak to, the day hour by hour, the risks and ready words to send are all here.
- About
- ৳4,500–8,900
- People
- 3
- Time in all
- 8 hours
- Age
- Any age
Best timeAny time; starting in January with the new school year, or in the holiday after annual exams, brings more children.
PermissionGet written consent from the head or managing committee of the place where the shelf goes (the head teacher at a school, the president at a club, the mosque committee for a room by a mosque).
What it costs
Prices differ by district and season; this is a 2026 estimate. Keep receipts and put them in the proof.
| What | How much | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Bookshelf (wood or steel, 4–5 shelves)1Where: Furniture or steel almirah shop | 1 | ৳3,500–7,000 |
| Lending register (thick)2Where: Stationery shop | 2 | ৳80–150 |
| Rubber stamp (the corner's name)1Where: Stamp maker | 1 | ৳200–400 |
| Book covering paper or plastic covers100Where: Stationery shop | 100 | ৳3–5 |
| Small sign: “Book corner — open [days]”1Where: Flex or sign shop | 1 | ৳200–400 |
| Padlock1Where: Hardware shop | 1 | ৳150–300 |
| Total (about) | ৳4,500–8,900 | |
Getting ready, step by step
3 weeks before
- Fix the place and get the institution's written consent.
- Choose a keeper who will open the room two days a week; the key stays with them.
2 weeks before
- Announce a call for books: stories, science, biographies, picture books; not textbooks.
- Order the shelf or repair an old one.
3 days before
- Sort books: leave out torn ones, ones unsuitable for children, or hateful ones.
- Stamp, number and cover each book; list them in the register.
On the day
- Set the shelf and arrange books: children's books on the low shelves, within reach.
- Invite children and parents, tell them the opening days; write the first loans.
The month after
- Count loans in the register (aim: at least 20).
- See which books go most and ask for more of those.
Who does what
Lead1
Place and consent, choosing the keeper, the opening day.
Book collection and sorting1
Ask for books, sort, stamp, cover and number.
Register and keeper1
Open the room two days a week, record loans and returns.
Whom to speak to first
The school head teacher or club/mosque committee
- Why
- The place is theirs; opening, safety and lasting depend on their support.
- How
- Give a letter; agree together which days and hours it opens.
Teachers and parents
- Why
- They will encourage children to read and remind them to return books.
- How
- Invite them to the opening; ask for two minutes at a parents' meeting.
The upazila or district public library
- Why
- Advice on choosing books and keeping a register; sometimes donates old books.
- How
- Visit and talk with the librarian, taking a letter.
The day, hour by hour
- 09:00Set the shelf and fix it firmly to the wall so it cannot fall.
- 09:45Arrange books by kind, children's books low.
- 10:30Put up the sign, register and pen on the table.
- 11:00Short opening with children and parents: three rules — sign it out, take care, return in two weeks.
- 11:20Read one story aloud.
- 11:45First loans, written in the register.
- 12:30Hand the key and register to the keeper; done.
How to take the proof
- A full photo of the stocked shelf, enough to judge the count; and a photo of the book list in the register (at least 100).
- A photo of the institution's written consent.
- After a month, a photo of the loan pages; cover children's names.
Common first-time mistakes
- Filling the shelf with textbooks and guidebooks; children want stories.
- Keeping books in a locked almirah nobody opens.
- Not fixing opening days and hours.
- Taking the opening photo and never coming back.
What can go wrong, and what to do
The keeper stops opening the room
Have two keepers from the start; check in once a month.
Books lost or damaged
Some will go; accept it. Keep the register, remind on return days; no fines.
Termites or damp spoil the books
Keep the shelf a little off the wall and raised from the floor; in the monsoon, check the books monthly.
Unsuitable books reach the shelf
Two people check every donated book; when in doubt, leave it out.
Ready words to send
Copy, fill the [brackets], send.
WhatsApp / Facebook call for books
The book you finished could be a village child's first story book. We are opening a book corner at [school/club] in [village/area]. We want: stories, rhymes, science, biographies, picture books, in good condition. Not textbooks or guides. Drop at: [collection point], until [date]. Opening: [date], 11 am. No money, only books. You can also help by joining this task's page on Desher Kaj.
Application to the head teacher or committee
Date: [date] To [Head teacher/President] [institution name], [address] Subject: Permission to set up a book corner. Sir/Madam, We are [team name], a volunteer team on the Desher Kaj platform. We wish to set a bookshelf in [room/part] of your institution and open a book corner with at least 100 donated story, science and biography books. Two days a week, [days] [hours], [keeper's role] will open the room; books will be lent for two weeks, with name and date in a register. No money will be taken from anyone. We ask for your kind permission. Yours faithfully [Name], team lead [team name]
After it is done
- Check the register monthly and post the loan count.
- Call for new books twice a year; more of the kinds that go most.
- Hold a story-reading hour once a month; children will keep coming.
Questions people ask
What if books go missing?
Some will; accept it. With a register, most come back.
Can I join if I cannot stay the whole time?
Yes. Say in your request which step or which hours you can do. The lead will give that step to you.