Story of a colorful book-filled van / ‘Pik-e Danaei 11’ gives stories as gifts in the heart of Torghabeh villages

The staircase path of the three-thousand-year-old village of Kang is steep, and I ascend it breathlessly. Adobe houses with mud-brick walls, geraniums by the windows, and the scent of earth and fresh bread capture my attention more than anything else. Here, in the heart of this ancient village, life flows with all its simplicity. I continue along the “Bala Deh” path and reach Peyghaleh, where the blue sign of “Hazrat Fatemeh (S.A.) High School” catches my eye. The mobile library “Pik-e Danaei 11” stands in a cozy corner opposite the entrance of this high school, adding a different color and spirit to the village environment.

This library is a colorful van with childish paintings that shines like a jewel amidst the traditional fabric of the village. As soon as I arrive, the sound of the last bell from a primary school nearby the mobile library is heard, and immediately the library is surrounded by short and tall girls in navy uniforms and white hijabs, filling the space with a delightful clamor. Another group rushes towards the library with indescribable excitement, all of them holding books they borrowed last week.

The Moment of Meeting the Kind Friend

It’s past 1 PM, and the girl students are waiting in line for their turn to return the books they borrowed last week and take out new ones. Others, with curious eyes, search among the colorful shelves for their lost treasure: a new story, an exciting tale, or perhaps a window to another world.

A Warm and Pleasant Atmosphere

The atmosphere is warm and friendly. Each child spends minutes talking with the librarian. The book shelves are full of colorful works for children and teenagers. The walls of the mobile library are decorated with childish paintings. Some children are sitting on nearby chairs, engrossed in reading books. Others have gathered in a corner, loudly narrating stories they read last week to each other. Their laughter fills the air, transmitting a good feeling to every passerby.

More Than Just a Library

Hamid Feyzi, the head of the “Pik-e Danaei 11” mobile library, said about this library: “Pik-e Danaei 11” is not just a library, but a cultural hub. It’s a place where children gather after school, read books, talk with each other, and enjoy being together.

He added: The mobile library “Pik-e Danaei 11,” named after the martyrs of Torghabeh, started its activities in June 2023 (Khordad 1402) with the aim of promoting cultural justice. With over 700 members and 300 active members, this library has managed to revive the passion for reading among children and teenagers in deprived villages.

Feyzi stated: The mobile library “Pik-e Danaei 11” provides services to facilitate access to study resources in areas lacking libraries in five villages: Azghad, Jaghargh, Naghandar, Kang, and Torqadar, operating in one of these five villages every day.

He noted that due to budgetary and population limitations in some villages, establishing fixed libraries is not an easy task, and said: Mobile libraries, with their ability to serve multiple villages, have proven to be an effective and efficient alternative. “Pik-e Danaei 11” has now become one of the most popular mobile libraries in the region, with over 700 members.

Challenges of Mobile Libraries

Hamid Feyzi, referring to the challenges of this library, said: Driving on mountainous roads, harsh weather conditions, lack of parking space, preserving the health of books against humidity, and frequent power and internet outages are some of the problems and hardships of this profession. However, the love for cultural service and the enthusiastic reception from children and teenagers have provided additional motivation for mobile librarians.

He added: On the other hand, mobile libraries have a happier and more enjoyable environment than fixed public libraries, and these libraries often continuously organize events such as intellectual games, storytelling, and cultural competitions.

Shopkeepers Initially Resisted, Then Their Children Became Library Members

Feyzi said: This feature has made children more eager to be drawn to the library. One of the sweet memories from the beginning of this library’s activity was the initial encounter with shopkeepers who were initially against the presence of the mobile library, but after becoming familiar with its cultural goals, they enrolled their children as members of the library.

Hamid Feyzi stated: Membership in this library is free, and each member can borrow up to five books for two weeks. Book renewals are also possible in person or by phone.

Cultural Programs of This Mobile Library

Referring to the cultural and artistic programs of this mobile library, he said: Along with lending books, on some days we organize painting competitions, coloring, storytelling, pantomime, and “Gul Ya Pooch” (a traditional guessing game) in the villages, which have always been met with widespread enthusiasm from children.

The librarian stated: The sweet moments when children wait in the early morning hours to exchange books are memorable and impactful moments, moments when hope for a bright future can be seen in the eyes of the new generation of readers.

Books and Librarians, a Balm for Children’s Wounds

He recounted a memory: “When the last school bell rings, the mobile library gets very crowded. I always tell the children to form a line, come forward in order, return the previous book, and take a new one, while I record the books. Once, in one of Torghabeh’s villages, one of the children said, ‘Someone came, took a few books, and left.’ The next week, when that student came, I told him, ‘I noticed last week you took a few books without registering them.’ I asked him to come with his father next time. He said, ‘My father has passed away,’ and added, ‘Every week I go from here to my workplace and stay there until late at night. The time I spend waiting in line always makes me late for work, which is why I had to leave quickly last week.'”

Hamid Feyzi said: “This was a lesson for me to understand that each of these children deals with numerous problems in their own world. Therefore, books and librarians should be a balm for their wounds.”

The head of this mobile library urged people and philanthropists to appreciate public libraries more and continued: “We have many school builders, but why shouldn’t we have library builders? Library services are no less important than schools and can be a platform for the cultural growth of all segments of society. I hope we can also utilize the help of philanthropists in this area.”

He added: “Each public library has about 30,000 books. Nowadays, there is a well-equipped library in every neighborhood. The resources of public libraries are much greater than those of mobile libraries, but readers in large cities may not benefit from libraries as much as they should due to access to digital resources.”