Village & Prison Libraries
Bringing the transformative power of reading to communities and institutions where books were once a luxury — 5 free libraries with over 2,000 books across Prayagraj.
Our Library Network
Jana Vidya Foundation has established five free libraries across Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh — four in villages and one inside a prison. For many of the communities we serve, these are the only libraries within walking distance. Before we arrived, children in these areas had never seen a bookshelf, let alone a dedicated reading space.
Jana Vidya Foundation operates five free libraries in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India, with a combined collection of more than 2,000 books in Hindi and English. Four libraries serve villages in the Phaphamau, Naini, Jhunsi, and Handia areas, while the fifth is located inside Naini Central Jail. The collection includes academic textbooks, children's literature, reference books, Hindi novels, self-help guides, and religious texts. Established by Jana Vidya Foundation as part of its mission to create impact through education, these libraries provide free access to reading material for students, adults, and incarcerated individuals who would otherwise have no access to books. The libraries function as community hubs where reading circles, storytelling sessions, and study groups take place regularly, fostering a culture of learning in underserved communities across Prayagraj.
Our library model is designed for sustainability. Each village library is managed by a local volunteer who catalogs books, manages lending, and organizes weekly reading events. We accept donated books from individuals and organizations, and our team curates incoming donations to ensure quality and relevance. Worn or outdated materials are replaced regularly.
What Our Libraries Contain
Over 2,000 books across six genres in Hindi and English — carefully curated for students, adults, and incarcerated readers.
Academic Textbooks
600+ titlesNCERT and UP Board textbooks for classes 1 through 12
Children's Literature
400+ titlesStorybooks, picture books, and age-appropriate fiction in Hindi and English
Reference & Non-Fiction
350+ titlesEncyclopedias, dictionaries, science guides, and general knowledge books
Hindi Literature
300+ titlesNovels, poetry, short stories, and essays by Indian authors
Self-Help & Vocational
200+ titlesCareer guides, skill-building manuals, and motivational reading
Religious & Spiritual
150+ titlesTexts from diverse traditions, provided especially for the prison library collection
Our Libraries
Phaphamau Village Library
VillageOur first library, established in a community hall in Phaphamau, now holds over 500 books in Hindi and English. It serves as both a reading room and a study space for students from our nearby teaching center.
Naini Community Library
VillageSituated near the Naini learning center, this library specializes in children's literature, textbooks, and reference materials. Weekly reading circles attract children who had never held a book before joining.
Jhunsi Rural Library
VillageThe Jhunsi library serves farming families along the Ganga. It includes agricultural reference guides alongside academic texts, making it a resource for adults and children alike.
Handia Mobile Library Point
VillageOur Handia outpost operates a rotating book collection that travels between three hamlets. A dedicated volunteer manages the circulation, ensuring fresh titles reach readers every two weeks.
Naini Central Jail Library
PrisonOur prison library initiative provides reading material to inmates at Naini Central Jail. The collection includes self-help books, vocational guides, Hindi literature, and religious texts — offering education and hope behind bars.
Our Prison Library Initiative
The right to learn does not end at a prison gate. Jana Vidya Foundation established a library inside Naini Central Jail to provide incarcerated individuals with access to reading material that supports rehabilitation, self-improvement, and mental well-being. The prison library collection includes vocational guides, self-help books, Hindi literature, religious texts, and basic educational materials.
Setting up a library inside a prison required extensive coordination with jail authorities and government officials. Our team worked through administrative processes over several months to secure permissions, arrange book deliveries, and establish a lending system that works within the constraints of the prison environment.
Inmates who use the library report feeling more hopeful about their futures. Some have used vocational guides to plan livelihoods for after release. Others find solace in literature and spiritual reading. The prison library demonstrates our core belief that education is a universal right — and that a book can change a life regardless of where it is read.
Impact
Our libraries have become vital community resources. Children who visit regularly show improved vocabulary and comprehension scores. Adults use reference materials for competitive exam preparation. The Jhunsi library's agricultural section has helped local farmers learn about modern farming techniques and government schemes.
More than the numbers, the libraries have shifted mindsets. In villages where reading was not part of daily life, we now see parents reading alongside their children. Young people who once had nothing to do after school now spend afternoons in the library. Books have become aspirational objects — symbols of a better future within reach.
Support Our Libraries
Donate books, fund a new library, or sponsor our book acquisition drives. Every book you give opens a world of possibility.
We accept book donations in Hindi and English — textbooks, children's books, novels, and reference materials in good condition. Financial contributions help us purchase specific titles to fill gaps in our collections, maintain library spaces, and expand to new locations.
Corporate partners can sponsor an entire library setup, including shelving, furniture, and an initial collection of 500 books. If you are a publisher or bookstore, consider partnering with us for discounted bulk purchases or unsold inventory donations. Together, we can ensure that no community in Prayagraj goes without access to books.