In a rare gesture of community outreach, Dasgupta and Co., arguably the oldest surviving bookshop in Kolkata, has opened a free reading library at its historic College Street premises. The library is primarily intended to benefit students who cannot afford to buy academic titles and rare books.
Established in 1886 by Girish Chandra Dasgupta, the bookshop has converted the second floor of its Grade IIA heritage structure into a public reading room. According to Arabinda Dasgupta, the 73-year-old managing director and a descendant of the founder, the initiative is a way of making "knowledge and education more easily accessible to society."
The physical library, which formally opened in July, is already attracting 30 to 40 visitors daily, including students, foreigners, and long-time clients. Many visitors use the reading room to enjoy the shop's extensive collection of rare books. The library has even received a donation of almost 500 rare books from one enthusiastic patron.
In addition to the physical space, the shop is planning to launch an online library after the upcoming Durga Puja festivities, aiming to provide readers with access to any book in the world. Having survived major historical events like the Partition and two World Wars, the shop's management is confident the new library will help it thrive even in the age of online shopping.
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