Where are they, free libraries?

Does anyone from Tashkent recognize this place?

Let me tell you the story. I presume we were the primary or the second year school kids when our first teacher Valentiva Petrovna Zobnyeva took the whole class to the Republican Children's Library of Uzbekistan. Attendance, at that time, was mandatory.

As we walked into the room steeped with books, our eyes stargazed in the universe of unknown pages. I remember – as gullible as I used to be – feeling numb. What could I have known of the power of literature back then? As I was observing other kids making their choices, Mirkhon Mirkomilov grasped my attention by taking the vast book of Leo Tostoy. It didn’t take me much time to decide: I followed his example and took “the most massive” book in the house and never got to read it. Till this day.

Mirkhon’s action left a mark on me. He didn’t come up with his choice because we wanted to look smart. You don’t even know how shrewd this guy is.

Isn't it great that libraries can keep stories like that? It is even better to have one, actually.

Speaking of libraries, I feel like we have slept on the story by Botir Kobilov on the value of public libraries in cities. After reading it, I asked myself a simple question: Do we really have free district libraries in Tashkent? Can you guys point me at those so I could find myself a venue for podcast recording sessions? To add to this, the author says: “I would really love to learn the number of libraries Uzbekistan built since 1991”.

We need libraries like water and air. It is not about putting together a building and filling it up with a bunch of books. It goes beyond it – library is a platform for raising generations. Or as Botir Kobilov says: “the fundamental purpose of a library is not just giving a book, but providing information”.

Books are treasure and as any treasure it needs a decent house. I really hope to see more free libraries in town in the near future.

@andanotherday