How did you promote your library? How was the response?
We promoted our venture through articles in newspapers and print ads for three to four months. Once we got members, we gained strength through word-of-mouth. Initially, the response was good. Later it slowed down, reaching a saturation point, and now we have already completed three years and have regular members.
With this setup, have you found the work-life balance?
Yes, this has given me lot of flexibility and I do find a lot of free time for myself. The working hours allow me to spend quality time with my family.
Is knowledge of books sufficient to run a library?
Of course, one of the main criteria is to have good knowledge on books, which will help in research of books.
What are the other costs involved?
If you are setting up a library at home, there are no other costs apart from procuring the books. For a small setup, you can use manual option of tracking, issuing and cataloging of books. As you grow, you may have to invest in good software to make life easier. If you are going to rent a place, then you may have to spend on interiors of the place, other than resourcing the books. As such, running a library does not have many overheads. Running a home library does fetch good returns.
Where do you source your books from?
We import books that are award winning, popular titles and that are age-appropriate. However, there are other resources from where you can procure books.
Have you regretted at any point for taking up this business?
There has been no looking back since we started this setup. As with any business, it reaches a saturation point, where there are cancellations of memberships. Once you get a grip of such things, it is easier to manage.
Do you have anything to tell aspirants who want to run a library?
I have seen women starting a library with the help of relatives and friends. This works only for a short time. You must be able to do your own math, return on investment, research, target etc. And do not lose hope if your setup if facing its low, and rely on feedback from outside your circle.
How often is it required to refresh the stock?
Initially, we used to bring in three hundred new books every month. But now, we do only upon a member’s request or if there is a new publisher with an interesting book.
Deepali Patel also runs a consultation service, offering inputs on how to setup and manage a library.
