Village libraries to anchor early learning as Central University of Karnataka joins hands with Kalike and Tata Trusts

Central University of Karnataka (CUK) has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Kalike, an organisation supported by Tata Trusts, to bolster early childhood education in rural parts of Karnataka by strengthening village libraries and reading spaces. This collaboration aims to address gaps in access to quality early learning resources and promote a culture of reading among young learners in remote areas.

Under the partnership, both institutions will work to expand and improve access to age-appropriate books and learning materials for children across village libraries in districts where educational outreach has been limited. Kalike’s work in Karnataka has focused on transforming community and school libraries into child-friendly spaces, equipping them with bilingual collections and trained librarians to organise activities that encourage engagement with books and learning beyond the classroom.

The initiative will also involve capacity building for local librarians and community stakeholders, drawing on Kalike’s ongoing efforts to train Gram Panchayat librarians and introduce child-centric reading programmes in library settings. Over recent years, such interventions have seen hundreds of rural libraries redesigned, with dedicated sections for children and a range of interactive reading activities.

According to sources familiar with the MoU, the partnership is expected to leverage the university’s academic expertise and the Trust’s field experience to create structured programmes that reinforce foundational literacy and numeracy at an early age. Kalike’s earlier programmes in Karnataka have trained hundreds of rural librarians and introduced libraries that have benefited thousands of government school children by promoting creative reading and learning.

The MoU reflects a growing recognition of the role that community libraries can play in supporting early education in underserved regions, particularly where formal schooling infrastructure may be limited and families have few resources to support reading habits at home. Stakeholders have emphasised that village libraries can serve as accessible learning hubs that complement formal education, facilitate interactive learning, and provide a platform for peer activities that motivate children to read and explore.

Representatives from CUK and Kalike have indicated that implementation plans will focus on districts where literacy indicators lag behind state averages, and where the existing library infrastructure requires both resource inputs and operational support. The collaboration is expected to include periodic reviews, community engagement efforts, and tracking of education outcomes to assess impact over time.

Officials of both organisations said the MoU is a step towards bringing more children into learning spaces that support reading, critical thinking, and early cognitive development, with the long-term goal of narrowing gaps in access to quality education in rural Karnataka.