Across five districts of Bihar, the Tata Trusts are transforming school libraries into spaces that nurture reading and create livelihood opportunities for young educators.
Every week, hundreds of children in four government schools wait for Gudiya Kumari to arrive. They are eager to discover the story she has brought with her. As she opens a book and starts reading, the room fills with questions, laughter and lively discussions. Excited children share their thoughts, challenge one another's ideas and, by the end of the session, many are already reaching for books they want to borrow.
Watching her today, it is difficult to imagine that Gudiya once questioned whether she could ever stand confidently in front of a classroom.
Growing up in Karnpura village in Bihar's Gopalganj district, she came from an economically marginalised family where opportunities were limited. When her father became too unwell to work, she wanted to contribute to the family's income. At the time, she had little idea that a library fellowship would change the course of her life.
Taking the first step
When she heard about an opportunity to become a Library Fellow with Professionals Alliance for Youths Growth (PRAYOG), she was unsure whether she was the right fit. She had never worked with children, had no experience conducting library sessions and had never imagined herself as an educator. Even so, she decided to apply.
The fellowship is strengthening 104 school libraries in Bihar by preparing young educators to lead engaging library activities, support teachers and help children discover the joy of reading. For many children, these libraries provide one of their first opportunities to explore books beyond their textbooks, helping nurture curiosity and a lifelong love for reading.
For Gudiya, however, the real journey was only beginning.
Following a rigorous selection process, she was chosen for the Bihar Library Fellowship: Developing Library Educators and Functional Libraries for Children, a project supported by the Tata Trusts and implemented by PRAYOG.
Learning to lead through stories
The first few months were challenging. The books were unfamiliar, and standing before a room full of children felt intimidating. Through training, mentoring and regular practice, she discovered that stories could do far more than entertain. They could spark curiosity, encourage children to speak up and keep conversations alive long after the book had been closed. With time, she found her rhythm.
She ended each day reflecting on her experiences in a diary. She still laughs when she remembers cycling to her first reading session, quietly hoping the road to school would never end because she was so nervous.
