Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

हिंदी में फ्री लाइब्रेरी नेटवर्क से सम्बंधित कुछ आम सवालों के जवाब पढ़ने के लिए यहां क्लिक करें

Document Sections

Section 1: The Free Libraries Network & Membership Eligibility
Section 2: Free Libraries & The Free Library Movement
Section 3: How Can FLN Help Libraries/Library Practitioners?
Section 4: How can I support FLN?

Download these FAQ’s as a PDF.

Section 1: The Free Libraries Network & Membership Eligibility

Q. What is the Free Libraries Network (FLN)?

FLN is a people’s collective of library organisations, practitioners, activists and educators across India, who advocate for libraries to be free i.e. equitable & inclusive. FLN defines the free library as a means to deliver fundamental rights such as the right to read, right to information and right to education. The free library is anti-caste, gender, religion & disability inclusive with zero tolerance for Islamophobia, trans & queerphobia, ableism, sexism and other forms of hate. The Network promotes these ideas through advocacy, curriculum development and capacity building of all its members.

Q. What do we do?

FLN is an advocacy, research and capacity building organisation that is forging the free library movement in India. It builds awareness for and demands a robust public library system that is truly accessible to all. 

FLN promotes empowers the creation of free libraries through: 

  1. ADVOCACY on the importance of free public libraries to deliver fundamental rights, ensure access to books & reading to all people.
  2. LIBRARY CURRICULUM & BEST PRACTICES: Developed through pedagogical research, intra-Network collaborations & learning labs and field experience.
  3. CAPACITY BUILDING & MENTORING: Librarians are supported supporting members and organisations through training in the know-how of good library practices and library curriculum, and by sharing resources on access to public funding, publishers and acquisition of books. 
  4. BOOKS FOR ALL PROGRAM: A dedicated curation & books dissemination program for members only. 
  5. FREE LIBRARY MOVEMENT: Building a strong network and alliances with different stakeholders in the free library movement.

Here you can see FLN’s Organisational Policies

Q. Who can be a member?

Any free library organisation (including organisations running a free library along with other community services) can become an FLN member. Individuals who are free-library practitioners or free-library activists with current or prior experience in public-access, community libraries can be FLN members. Educators, social workers, advocacy groups and researchers actively engaged with access to books & reading may also qualify (pending review by FLN).

FLN members are sent a welcome email which contains the link to join the FLN All Member WhatsApp group – this is the primary platform on which all members are connected for daily, peer-based sharing and interaction across the country.

Please note that FLN does not accept applications from those who are in the planning stages of starting a free library.

FLN also reserves the right to ask an FLN member to leave should they cease to work in free libraries or should their advocacy for free & inclusive libraries stop for any reason.

Q. Who is not eligible for an FLN membership

  1. Funding and implementation organisations.
  2. Private and or institutional libraries/organisations and library practitioners that charge a membership fee or any other costs (such as security deposits) to access library services.
  3. Institutions, organisations, libraries and library practitioners that do not follow the principles of non-discrimination and inclusion.

Q. I don’t qualify for FLN’s All Member group. How can I remain involved? 

If you are any of the following:

  1. I am thinking of starting a free library
  2. I am a publisher, writer, editor and/or illustrator for books
  3. I work in a public library that is not free for all
  4. I work in an implementation agency
  5. I have no library experience or intention to start one but I believe the right to read, learn, think freely and stay informed, belongs to all 
  6. I can help FLN and its members receive material, funding, knowledge or networking support

Then you can write to us at freelibrariesnetworkfln@gmail.com and share your interest and/or queries with us. We will accommodate your query by providing the domain expertise you need or add you to our group Friends of FLN, where you will receive regular updates and calls to action from us.

Q. How can I/my organisation become a member of FLN?

If you qualify for FLN membership (as per the eligibility criteria mentioned above) you can fill out the forms here. Please note that after filling the form, your application will be under review. Once the review is complete, you will receive an email containing a welcome kit. Do read the welcome kit thoroughly as it includes a list of membership benefits and links to join the main Network platform on WhatsApp. You will then officially be an FLN member.

Q. When and How can an FLN member cease to be part of FLN?

  1. An organisation or individual can leave FLN membership by informing FLN officials via email. Upon leaving, they shall discontinue any claims of affiliation to FLN in all forums (including social media) and cease to expect or collect those benefits accruing from membership in FLN.
  2. FLN holds the right to discontinue any membership if the library organisation or individual changes their practices and no longer align with the mission or values of FLN.
  3. FLN holds the right to discontinue any membership if it finds the library organisation or individual misrepresenting its work & values.
  4. FLN holds the right to discontinue any membership if the library organisation or individual indulges in harmful activities to FLN or any other member.

Section 2: Free Libraries & The Free Library Movement

Q. What is a free library?

  • A free library provides books & reading services free of cost, in an environment that supports freedom to think, create and empower oneself through learning. 
  • Free libraries are, by definition, anti-caste and must be accessible as a matter of right to persons of all genders, classes, religions & disabilities. 
  • Free libraries work actively to invite those who have been historically – and continue to be – excluded, into reading and access to information & knowledge resources. 
  • They do this by providing excellent library services for all, which includes curriculum, best practices, standards & policies that are pedagogically grounded in a rights-based framework delivering justice & equity.

A Model Free Library Looks Like This:

  1. Free Membership & Access to All: It provides the best possible books, reading services, information and digital resources free of cost, in an environment that supports freedom to think, create and empower oneself through learning. It welcomes all regardless of their socio-economic status or identity and provides the same standards of librarianship to all, without prejudice. 
  1. Excellent Book-Resources & Other Materials: A free library should aspire for an ideal ratio of member to book-resources of 1:10 or a collection of at least 2500 books, (including academic & non-academic books in diverse genres, magazines & newspapers) that cater to the community’s language-choices, contexts, interests, and aspirations including resources for people with disabilities.
  2. Reading Programs: A free library is mandated to not just serve those who already read but to nurture & grow those who have not yet become readers due to lack of access to excellent libraries. In India, this means having a strong Reading Program in any library where a majority of members are likely to be first-generation library-users, especially if they are children & young adults.
  3. Free Access to Internet & Digital Resources: Internet is a powerful means to deliver the right to read, information & education. Free Libraries must not just create access to internet/ digital resources but also provide for programs & policies that build digital literacies, safety & freedoms for its community.
  4. Community Engagement & Ownership: The only way to create a sustainable & excellent library is if its community takes ownership of its policies, programs and collection. The library should have leadership & librarian training models that build capacity within the local community. The library must maintain a steady relationship of accountability and consultation with the local community through regular engagement with member-families and non-members.
  5. Safety & Inclusivity Policy: All excellent libraries have codified policies for (i) Child Safety & Protection (ii) Inclusivity for all genders, castes, classes, religions, ethnic identities and people with disabilities. (iii) Social & other media policy (iv) Digital rights, responsibility & safety policy
  6. Records & Documentation: Libraries must maintain written or digital records of (i) Members (ii) Book Catalogue (iii) Circulation History (iv) Reading Programs (v) Footfalls (vi) Before-After evaluations for special interventions/ workshops etc.
  7. Trained Library Staff: A trained and supported librarian is the heart of any community-owned library. She is a library and  community-relationship manager, a read-aloud & storytelling expert, an educator and an information specialist. She must be supported with pay commensurate with her work as well regular opportunities for capacity building & professional growth.

Q. Are you working in a Model Library?

A checklist for all free-libraries to locate themselves in their librarianship journey

  1. Free is Good
  • You’re a Free Library i.e. you do not charge any fee for any library services
  • You welcome all regardless of caste, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation etc.
  1. Library Space
  • You have a physical infrastructure in place OR
  • You have a temporary set-up with a plan to upgrade to pakka structure OR
  • You travel as a librarian to different reading/library spaces which are Free.
  1. Library Team
  • You have dedicated librarians/ library caretakers to open the library on designated days, maintain the space & collection, run library programs and ensure the safety & happiness of all members.
  1. Books Collection
  • Collection size ensure ratio of at least 7 books for each member
  • Collection reflects members’ interests, reading levels and language of thinking etc.
  • Collection includes members’ aspirations in terms of types of books, reading levels and language etc.
  1. Reading Program 

Designed to serve the most under-served members of the library

  • Daily/ weekly read alouds
  • Storytelling
  • Literacy or Fluency sessions
  • Book Clubs
  • Book Talks ETC.
  1. Other Library Programs
  • Arts & Crafts
  • Health & Wellness
  • Digital/ Internet facilities
  • Games
  • Community-Interest events 
  • Tuition for school/college curriculum ETC.
  1. Documentation & Cataloguing

You follow documentation practices i.e.

  • Cataloguing & keeping written/computer records of all books in your collection
  • Member database with names/ libraries IDs/ Contact Details/ Demographic. details etc. (with a privacy practice in place to not reveal individual details without consent).
  1. Circulation

You issue books to the members i.e.

  • Let members take books home for a day/ week.
  • You do not have a lost/damaged book fee.
  1. Community Ownership
  • Your library practices inclusivity to allow all sections of society to access the library.
  • You maintain a relationship of trust with guardians of minors, local community leaders and others.
  • You involve library members in key programs & policy decisions related to the library.
  • You conduct regular community outreach & relation-building exercises in your community.
  1. Policies & Safeguards for All
  • Admission Policy & Orientation for New Members
  • Inclusivity Policy (safeguarding vulnerable members of the community)
  • Code of Conduct for members, staff & volunteers
  • Safety Policy 
  • Digital Safety & Responsibility
  • ETC.
  1. Advocacy & Conversations about Free-Libraries
  • You create awareness about what free libraries are in your community
  • You participate in or initiate conversations about the importance of free libraries
  • You contribute your time, knowhow or resources to the free library movement through FLN or other platforms.

Q. What is a library curriculum?

Library curriculum is a structured approach with a clear pedagogical foundation to deliver key services in Reading, Arts & Crafts, Digital Literacy, Adult Education, Games and anything else the community needs. They could include read alouds, reading fluency, book talks, book clubs, arts workshops, health & wellness programs and more. It is advisable to ground all curriculum in the missions & values of the free-library and ensure that it is accessible to everyone in the community, especially the most under-served populations.

Q. What is the free library movement?

The Free Library Movement calls for creation of libraries that are free and accessible to all, without discrimination and without prejudice to any caste, class, religion, sexual orientation, gender, disability, educational background, etc. The movement is being forged by free libraries, library practitioners and library activists across India and it  aims to realise the right to read, right to information and right to education by making books & other knowledge resources (including digital) accessible to everyone, everywhere.

To know more about how FLN advocates for the free library movement, see here.

Section 3: How Can FLN Help Libraries/Library Practitioners?

Q. Does FLN help in funding the libraries and projects?

No, FLN does not directly fund any libraries, library organisations or their projects. All FLN members are independently owned, operated and funded by their founding organisations/ founders/ communities.

Q. How can FLN help libraries in providing free & inclusive programs & services to its community?

FLN does not directly help in running free-libraries or any particular free-library program. It is purely an advisory & support organisation that provides: 

  1. Hand Holding Free-Library Practitioners: FLN extends mentorship to all those who are running or intend to create a free library by guiding them on key aspects of librarianship including reading programs, book curation & purchase, community engagement, library standards and more. 
  2. Capacity Building: All FLN members are entitled to free training and workshops in librarianship, which include annual read-aloud training, inclusivity training, social-media workshops, book curation & collection building, community engagement and more. FLN members are also invited to offer their expertise through mentoring or workshops to other members. 
  3. Solidarity & Resource Sharing: FLN members are connected to each other via social media platforms like Whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram & Twitter. These platforms offer members the space to share their everyday experiences and grassroots knowledge about running a free library. These platforms also allow librarians to seek or offer help to one-another or amplify calls-to-action, resources or job-opportunities, workshop & event alerts and more. 
  4. Books-For-All Program: The Books For All (BFA) program entitles FLN member-libraries to a free set of excellent quality books, curated to meet their needs. Books are made available as per availability & stocks. The BFA program also allows FLN members to avail of publisher-discounts, which are exclusively for free-libraries. For more information please write to booksforallfln@gmail.com See more here
  5. Advocating for public support and funding for free libraries: FLN provides library practitioners and activists the opportunity to engage key stakeholders like the government, general public, publishers, writers and others who contribute to creation of literature and information in the question of access. This builds the possibility of increased support in the form of legislation, policy and revenue for free libraries.

Section 4: How can I support FLN?

DONATE TO FLN:

Fill the form to support our activities: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfbmLhCLZQEzbRFatN3JC6XRA-BUlesSCdYJi54fQ53ay4SsA/viewform

Your donations go towards supporting aspects of:

  1. FLN ‘Books For All’ Program
  2. Curriculum & Capacity Building for Free Library Practitioners
  3. Research & Advocacy

FLN MEMBERS CAN SUPPORT US BY: 

  1. Running a free-library, which welcomes all and is committed to providing excellent services as described in Section 2 of the FAQs.
  2. Contributing your knowledge and resources to support other free-library practitioners and members of FLN.
  3. Contributing to research & advocacy actions undertaken by the FLN.
  4. Offering & participating in library trainings, workshops and other capacity-building opportunities 
  5. Participating in FLN elections & general body meetings.
  6. Continuing conversations about the free library movement within your community & circles of influence.

NON-FLN MEMBERS CAN SUPPORT US BY: 

  1. Offering free training & workshops about librarianship (or related interests) to FLN members.
  2. Offering your special skills (education, technology, legal, accounting etc.) to FLN pro bono
  3. Extending your organisations programs, benefits, resources to FLN member-libraries pro bono
  4. Directly funding FLN activities or any FLN member-library’s activities.
  5. Advocating for the free library movement in your circles of influence

Q. Where else can I know more about FLN?

For more you can reach us at freelibrariesnetworkfln@gmail.com

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