Hippocampus Library, Bangalore’s flagship children’s library celebrated their thirteenth anniversary on March 31. Hippocampus is all about books and having access to them. In a bid to thank every author, illustrator and publisher of children’s literature, who has made their dream a reality; Hippocampus organized a Cake Party at their Hippocampus Library premises in Koramangala, Bangalore. Some noted authors like Rohini Nilakeni, Pouli Sengupta, Aditi De, Asha Nehemiah, Vidya Mani, Jane De Suza among others were present at the event.
Speaking at the event Vimala Malhotra, Founder, Hippocampus Children’s Library, said, “Thank you all (authors, illustrators and publishers of children’s literature) for what you do. You are the reason for Hippocampus – what we are and what we do – promoting the joy of reading. If you did not do what you do, we would not exist. And a big thank you to authors, illustrators and publishers of children’s literature around the world.”
Hippocampus Library thanks every author, illustrator and publisher who has contributed.
All about Hippocampus Library:
Hippocampus started in Bangalore in March 2003. But the idea behind it was older. When Vimala and Umesh Malhotra returned to India from the US in 1999, they had promised their five-year-old son that they would set up a library just for children. And that was the beginning.
Hippocampus Children’s Library in Bangalore has over 16,000 books across fifty genres. They add between 60 and 75 new books every month to their collection. All the books are for young children, with a small but growing young adult collection. Over the years, they have connected with at least 6,500 children through their library. Their Library services and storytelling festivals have helped Hippocampus impact thousands more. To fight the challenges of traffic and distance Hippocampus also introduced a home library, where the selected books are dropped off at the child’s home.
The highlight of their summer is – The Great Tale Chase – an exciting summer reading challenge. Activities at the library range from storytelling to book launches, and book picnics to summer workshops. For adults they offer librarian and storytelling training.
Hippocampus today works with close to 1000 government schools, community centres, and mainstream schools across India to promote reading. Their NGO program has been adapted by the international NGO Room to Read and they in turn have taken it to a number of other countries.
Hippocampus Children’s Library turns 13 !
