Book in Search of Readers

The Library and Information Centre, in collaboration with The Readers’ Club, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Pune Lavasa Campus, organized an engaging and thought-provoking exhibition titled “Books in Search of Readers” on the 15th and 16th of October 2025. The two-day event aimed to rekindle the joy of reading and to encourage the university community to explore books beyond their academic curriculum. Open to all students, faculty, and staff, the exhibition served as a vibrant celebration of literature, learning, and curiosity.

The exhibition featured an impressive selection of books from both campus libraries, thoughtfully curated to include academic texts, classic and contemporary literature, biographies, autobiographies, and works on history, sociology, and success stories. The event encouraged participants to rediscover reading as a source of both intellectual enrichment and personal pleasure. By highlighting diverse genres and themes, the exhibition sought to promote reading as a lifelong habit rather than a mere academic requirement.

On 15th October, the event was inaugurated at the Quadrangle, Central Block, where it attracted a steady stream of visitors throughout the day. Students and faculty actively browsed through the collection, shared book recommendations, and participated in informal discussions about their favorite authors. The following day, on 16th October, the exhibition moved to the Amphitheatre, Management Block. Once again, the space came alive with readers, curious explorers, and enthusiastic participants engaging deeply with the showcased works.

The event had four primary objectives: to promote reading as an enjoyable and lifelong habit; to encourage exploration of diverse literary genres; to foster engagement with library resources through creative displays; and to support intellectual and leisure reading during the Diwali vacation. Each of these goals was effectively realized through the enthusiastic participation and the tangible outcomes observed during the exhibition.

One of the highlights of the event was the on-the-spot book issue facility available at both venues, which enabled participants to borrow books directly from the exhibition. On the first day, 59 books were issued, and on the second day, 60 more were borrowed, bringing the total to 119 books across the two days. This remarkable level of engagement underscored the university community’s enthusiasm for reading and validated the library’s ongoing efforts to cultivate a dynamic reading culture.

Notable titles borrowed included The Case That Shook India by Prashant Bhushan, Brief Answers to the Big Questions by Stephen Hawking, The Very Best of R.K. Narayan, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, Ikigai by Héctor García, and Poor Economics by Abhijit V. Banerjee and Esther Duflo. The variety of selections reflected the readers’ diverse interests and intellectual curiosity.

The event successfully transformed the library into a hub of creativity, discovery, and dialogue. It encouraged students and faculty to view the library not just as an academic resource, but as a space for reflection, relaxation, and lifelong learning. Overall, “Books in Search of Readers” effectively reinforced the importance of reading for personal growth, critical thinking, and holistic development while strengthening the reading culture within the CHRIST community.