Summers are getting hotter every year. Visiting libraries, braving the heat and Delhi’s traffic, is no mean task. If you are among the bunch of parents who would like to get their kids introduced to the joys of reading but are unable to find time to visit a library, we bring you the options of online bookstores. Here, you can order the books online and they will deliver the book of your choice at your doorstep. A handful of these online stores are operational in Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida and are run by a bunch of passionate people. Some of these online bookstores also have bricks and mortar stores.
1. Iloveread.in
Run by a former IT engineer, Shefali Malhotra, along with a bunch of creative people, Iloveread.in is an online bookstore having a presence in Delhi/NCR, Bengaluru, Chennai and Coimbatore. Visitors are required to create an account (it is free), after which they can access and browse the collection, or opt for flexible membership plans. It claims to have over 15,000 children’s titles. Besides the library, the organisation is into kids related events, workshops, story-telling sessions, etc. In the past two-and-a-half year, the bookstore claims to have organised more than 50 events, including the popular Gurgaon Children’s Literature Festival.
Membership plans:
Starting from Rs 599 for 2 books at a time for a month, readers can opt for quarterly, half-yearly and annual plan. Its annual plan costs Rs 4999. There is no limit to the number of swaps. No registration fees, no deposit, and no late fees are other key highlights of this online bookstore.
2. The Treasure Trove (thetreasuretrove.in)
Exists in both physical and online medium, the treasure trove claims to have everything that appeals to your little ones. With over 10,000 titles, the library gives you a twin membership option to avail – an access to their bricks and mortar library where children can come any number of times, browse, sit and read. If they wish, they can take home the books personally or get books delivered at their places. The library says, its 80 per cent members access its physical library. The bookstore not only boasts a good collection of books, but also toys and games, which can also be swapped.
Talking about the relevance of these libraries, Arvinda Bhatia, founder of the Treasure Trove, said, “In today’s time where there is shortage of space, it is very difficult for parents to buy everything and stock them up. Toys and books keep piling up. It also becomes very expensive for kids to buy a new title every time. In such a situation, online libraries are truly a saviour.”
Membership plans:
Unlike other online libraries, The Treasure Trove doesn’t have a minimum holding of books. Its minimum plan starts with Rs 500 where subscribers can order books worth Rs 750 with a maximum four swaps per month. Thereafter, plan goes like this: quarterly, half-yearly and yearly. Yearly plan involves Rs 5,000 and has a swap cap of 52 times.
3. Buzzing Books (www.buzzingbooks.com)
Noida-based Buzzing Books is an initiative of Dr Neha Gupta who runs this online store out of passion, managing it with her profession as well. Run on a small scale, the library does not have an exhaustive collection of books, but the founder says she does try to procure them on request. The library also has a limited reach with select areas like Noida, Greater Noida, Indirapuram, selected areas of East Delhi and South Delhi.
Membership plans:
If you are living in these areas, Buzzing Books could be the one you may give a try. Its subscription plans start with Rs 1,100 for 2 books; Rs 1,800 for 3 months for 4 books at a time. Its annual plan ranges from Rs 2,200 to 3,300 depending on the number of book holdings.
READ ALSO: Eight ways to get your children interested in reading
4. The Book Pal (www.bookpal.in)
A small set up, catering to all age-groups, The Book Pal has an online and offline access to its library. Its offline library has no fancy stuff or wall paintings or furniture to attract kids, but a decent looking library.
Membership plans:
Not a very exhaustive collection of kids’ titles, the library is easy on the pockets of its patrons. One can opt for its lowest plan of Rs 400/month which allows a reader to take along two books at a time with unlimited swaps. Its annual plan is of Rs 3,600 for four books. It does have refundable security and registration fees.
5. Meri Library (www.merilibrary.com)
Operating from NCR region, Meri Library serves an extensive array of titles for its members of all age-groups. The library has a vast collection of books including well-known children titles.
Membership plans:
Its membership plans do not have option for monthly or quarterly plan. Its most basic plan starts with INR 1500 for half yearly which includes delivery of 32 books with 4 books at a time.
6. India Reads (www.indiareads.com)
India Reads is one of the country’s largest book rental platforms, having its access in 500+ cities. The website not only caters to children, individuals of varying interests but also corporate houses. It has titles over 1.8 lakh. This a website that you must checkout if you have teens. They have a wide range of titles to choose from across genres like college textbooks, competitive exams, maths, science, social science, fiction, non-fiction, self-help, technology, management.
Membership plans:
It doesn’t have a membership plan. A rent for a specific book would be mentioned along with its title on the listing page. The page will also tell you how much amount will be payable.
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