Sarathi Nepal opens free children's library in Lalitpur

Anuradha, a children's literature writer, opened a children's library in the Bhanimandal area of Lalitpur, Nepal.

The library operates out of the Sarathi Nepal office, a space where children can read, borrow books, and participate in creative activities. Anuradha established the facility because she noticed a lack of accessible libraries in the Kathmandu Valley that focused on creative development outside of school curriculums.

The library offers several programs, including a twice monthly storytelling event where writers, illustrators, and theater artists perform for children. During these sessions, children also engage in face painting and enjoy snacks. The organization provides these services for free and allows parents to work on laptops or have tea while their children use the space. Sarathi Nepal, which began as an informal Facebook campaign following a 2072 BS earthquake, registered officially in 2023.

The organization collaborated with the Thang Foundation of the Netherlands to build libraries in five districts outside the Kathmandu Valley before opening this specific branch in February 2024. The library contains between 3,000 and 3,500 books, most of which were donated by local publishers and volunteers like Beth Brewster.