What can be considered as Kolkata’s oldest existing bookshop — set up in 1886 on College Street — is set to convert a part of its premises into a free library mainly for the benefit of students who cannot afford books.
“What I’ve noticed is that in recent years, education has spread to the mofussil and there is a sharp rise in the number of customers from rural areas. Even though the trend is very heartening, it is not always easy for them to afford books. Our library will be particularly of help to them,” said Arabinda Dasgupta, 71, managing director of Dasgupta and Co., which on July 1 was accorded Grade IIA heritage status by the authorities.
The library, located on the second floor of the shop — accessible by two near-vertical ancient staircases, one straight wooden and another spiral made of metal — which once served as the accounts section and tiffin room. With transactions going online, the accounts department became redundant and the space it occupied, almost 2,000 sq ft, was gathering dust.
