Turning Waiting Time into Reading Time
For travelers, long waiting hours at airports can often feel tedious. Whether it’s a delayed flight or a long layover, passengers are often left searching for ways to pass the time. While some turn to their phones or laptops, others crave a more enriching experience—one that allows them to escape into the world of stories, ideas, and knowledge. Recognizing this need, the Bakul Foundation, in collaboration with the Airports Authority of India, has launched India’s first-ever ‘Take a Book Library’ at Bhubaneswar’s Biju Patnaik International Airport.
This unique initiative, aptly named Flybrary, offers passengers a delightful way to engage with books while they wait. Unlike conventional airport libraries, where books can only be read on-site, Flybrary allows travelers to pick up a book of their choice, take it with them, and return it on their next visit—a concept that is not just innovative but also fosters a culture of reading and book-sharing.
A Gift for Book Lovers: How the Initiative Works
Flybrary operates with the simplest of rules: no membership, no fees, and no strict return deadlines. Located at both the Departure and Arrival sections of the airport, the initiative offers a diverse collection of books in English, Hindi, and Odia. While the Arrival section has a larger collection of Hindi books for visitors traveling to Odisha, the Departure area caters more to Odia readers.
Passengers can:
- Pick up a book from the shelves to read at the airport.
- Take a book with them on their journey and return it later.
- Donate books to the Flybrary, either at the airport or by sending them to the Bakul Foundation.
The collection is diverse, including novels, self-help books, magazines, coffee table books, and children’s literature, ensuring there’s something for every reader. The idea is not just to promote reading but also to create a culture of sharing books, where passengers contribute to the initiative by leaving behind books for others to enjoy.
The Vision Behind Flybrary: A Citizens’ Initiative
The Flybrary at Bhubaneswar Airport is part of a larger movement led by Bakul Foundation, which has been actively setting up libraries in public spaces across Odisha. According to Sujit Mahapatra, the founder of Bakul Foundation, this initiative builds upon similar experiments like the Little Tree Library in Forest Park and the Library in a Fridge at Ekamra Haat. The idea of an airport library had been in discussion for years, and it finally took shape with the support of Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary, Commerce and Transport, and the Airport Director, Prasanna Pradhan.
Unlike traditional library setups that require funding and staff, Flybrary thrives entirely on public contributions. Bookshelves have been donated by Debasis Patnaik of Vibe Furniture, and the entire model runs on the goodwill of book lovers. Every day, a Bakul volunteer visits the shelves to restock and reorganize books, ensuring that passengers always have something new to explore.
Mahapatra believes that over time, passengers themselves will replenish the collection by donating books, reducing the need for restocking. He encourages frequent flyers to carry a book to contribute to the Flybrary, making it a self-sustaining initiative.
An Overwhelming Response from Travelers
Flybrary has quickly won the hearts of travelers, who appreciate the opportunity to read while waiting. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General, IMD, was delighted to discover the library and picked up How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. Divya, a passenger on a long layover, called it “the best thing that could have happened to her.” Munu Manjari from Sangli used the time to read her first English novel, while Dr. Debabrata Biswas, a scientist, promised to contribute a book in return. Dr. Surendranath Senapati praised the inclusion of children’s books, and Susmita from Kolkata saw it as a great way to promote reading and share books with others.
A Model Worth Replicating Across India
The success of Flybrary at Bhubaneswar Airport is a testament to how small yet thoughtful initiatives can make a significant impact. It transforms the often-mundane experience of waiting at an airport into an opportunity to explore new ideas, immerse in literature, and even inspire new readers.
What makes this initiative special is that it is entirely community-driven. No government funding, no corporate sponsorships—just a collective effort of passionate book lovers. This reflects the true spirit of citizen participation, proving that when people come together, they can create something truly meaningful.
As airports across India look for ways to enhance passenger experiences, Flybrary sets a remarkable precedent. Imagine a network of such libraries at airports nationwide—where books travel across cities, passing from one reader to another, carrying stories, knowledge, and emotions.
The Bhubaneswar Airport Flybrary is more than just a library—it is a movement, one that reminds us of the power of books and the joy of sharing them. Here’s hoping that more airports, railway stations, and public spaces embrace this wonderful idea, making reading a part of every traveler’s journey.
(With inputs from agencies)
