Bangla Mobile Library serving the community

The Victorian Bangla Mobile Library is enabling Bangladeshi expatriates in Melbourne to practice and spread the Bangla language. SBS Bangla talked with the library coordinator Hasina Chowdhury Mita. Click the above audio player for listening the full interview.

Victorian Bangla Mobile Library. Source: Supplied

A variety of books on topics ranging from the Liberation War to “Thakumar Jhuli” sit side by side in a white van belonging to the Victorian Bangla Mobile Library. 

The library, which began in 2015 now has around 200 active readers as members.

It's an initiative of the Bangladeshi expatriate organization, the Victorian Bangladeshi Community Foundation.

"It feels good that many children are active members of this library," said Hasina Chowdhury Mita. "Our parents are being members to teach their children Bengali stories."

Readers gathering in front of Victorian Bangla mobile library. Source: Supplied

Any expatriate Bangladeshis can become a member of this mobile library, which cost $10 for a year's membership.

There are 500 books to choose from, with the option of also buying books from their favourite authors. 

"Our goal is to give a good book to every Bangladeshi expatriate in Melbourne," said Hasina Chowdhury Mita.

Victorian Bangla Mobile Library. Source: Supplied

Over the past three years the Mobile Library has attended every book-fair and community program with a great response from the communit.