The Community Library Project (TCLP) is a collective effort to reimagine libraries as more than places of books: they are spaces of participation, inquiry, and change. Established with a commitment to free access and inclusivity, TCLP runs community libraries across Delhi NCR that are open to all, regardless of caste, class, gender, religion, or economic background.
At TCLP, the library is seen not as a quiet corner but as a vibrant hub, where children, young people, and adults gather to read, learn, discuss, and build connections. Central to this mission is the belief that access to knowledge is a right, not a privilege, and that public spaces must nurture democratic values.
The project is firmly anchored in anti-caste and feminist principles. Its practices reflect an ongoing commitment to address inequality and discrimination in every form—whether linked to caste, class, gender, religion, or access to public spaces. The library’s shelves echo inclusivity, with books ranging from children’s fiction and young adult literature to social justice writing and histories of resistance.
Meet the team
TCLP, on LinkedIn
Mausam Kumari, Director
Simpy Sharma, Deputy Director
Mridula Koshy, Trustee & Community Organiser
Over the years, TCLP has evolved into a unique ecosystem of learning and organising. Beyond reading programs and literacy support, the libraries host discussions, workshops, and campaigns on issues faced by community members. From struggles around educational access and gender equity to questions of climate justice and systemic discrimination, the library becomes an entry point for awareness and action.
Another powerful strand of TCLP’s work is its emphasis on nurturing leadership within communities. By training young organisers, mentoring first-generation learners, and enabling marginalised voices to shape campaigns, the project ensures that change is community-driven and sustainable. Partnerships with schools, grassroots organisations, and civic groups strengthen this ecosystem further, while centring the voices of those most affected by injustice.
Inclusive by design, TCLP prioritises diversity not only in its readership but in its teams. Its hiring practices intentionally centre Dalit, Bahujan, Adivasi, Muslim, women, LGBTQIA+ communities, first-generation learners, and working-class applicants. This representation ensures that the work is grounded in real lived experience, with justice at its heart.
Today, TCLP is not just a library initiative but a movement—a growing reminder of the power of books, safe spaces, and collective engagement in shaping a more just society.
