Date Archives July 2016

I am not a Virgin anymore. And it was GOOD!

Well, I actually had my first time today in the morning at 11:10 AM to be exact right in the middle of the city in broad daylight and I cannot even begin to tell you how magical it was.

Today, I visited a Library for the first time in Pakistan and it was like I was taken, feasted upon, consumed and left for wanting more! True to my form, I did books and it was all just too orgasmic for words.

Did you know fifteen years ago, the British Council in Pakistan closed down the ‘British Council Library’? (Thank God they decided otherwise or else I would still be a Virgin). After a long break, the British Council is re-opening its libraries in Karachi and Lahore. The Library in Karachi will be opened for public from Thursday, July 21, 2016. I was amongst those lucky few who got invited by the team for an exclusive pre-opening tour and boy was it good or what.

The first thing you need to do if you wish to visit the ‘Karachi Library’ is reach British Council, Shahrah-e-Iran, Clifton, Karachi. After a very thorough security clearance, you will be escorted inside to a place; I would like to refer to from hereon as ‘Nirvana’. The minute you find yourself enveloped my impeccable lighting, uplifting ottomans and eatable shelves you know you are in the right place. I am not going to talk about the architecture of the building well because am not qualified enough but let me tell you one thing, it was all – what’s that word, I am looking for – I am inclined to say ‘debonair’. Yes, it was ‘that’ smart.

Our tour guide for the day was one of the two Library Managers – Rabeea Arif and together with the Library and Information Services Advisor – Gayle Franklin, we were introduced to this awesome piece of machinery by Bibliotheca which is basically a self-service, one-stop solution. And yes there will be no Librarian behind a desk in the Library, you choose your selections, place the card, follow a simple three step, hassle-free process and voila you get to walk home with literary beauties. Not to mention you get receipts too when you return the books which is just so awesome, I mean come on at the end of the year, you’d know exactly how many books you read from the Library. Now if that isn’t cute, I don’t know what is!

Next we were taken on the floor (I mean literally – I was soooooo taken on the floor) where the magic happens (not to mention The ‘Grey’ coloured carpet added to the entire euphoria). The “Karachi Library” currently houses 12,000 books spanning over 20 genres whereby new titles will be curated every single month. You know that every single book that has been going around on ‘Book Tube’ or the book you are dying to read thanks to ‘Bookstagram’, all that and more is now accessible thanks to the British Council Library. The stock in both the cities (Karachi and Lahore) is mirrored and you can find the same book in any region in the country. One can check out up to 6 books and 4 DVDs at a time and even request an additional week using the online portal.

The library is equipped with over 40 iPads and over 15 desktop stations that provide unlimited access to the British Council Digital Library comprising of thousands of e-books, audiobooks, e-magazines and newspapers. One can also access over 15000 academic research journals including JSTOR. And let’s not forget a collection of films and theatre performances available just a click away.

The library at the moment comes with two study halls lovingly named after the two greats: Syed Sadequain Ahmed Naqvi and Road Dahl – I love how they acknowledged both ends of the ocean.

The children’s section is too adorable – I was totally tempted to lie down and cuddle with a childhood favourite – Matilda. But please note children under the age of 11 are not permitted inside the library without adult supervision.

The library is also equipped with an auditorium that can easily accommodate a hundred people which I am certain will be hosting many future literary events.

One awesome feature of the library, almost all the book shelves are on wheels, If I ever decide to plan a library heist, it will be so easy to boost the shelves up the truck! (V, I am talking to you here). Did I mention there was a copy of ‘The Bookshop Book’ by Jen Campbell which I was tempted to snag (The minute the British Council reads this – they are so putting me on their blacklist =P).

Feel like taking a break from your paperback? Air hockey, Fussball, Scrabble, Chess and more all available on this neat Digital Table with a especially designed OS just for British Council:

Next to the main floor is a beautiful courtyard which is perfect for performances, gatherings and even movie screenings. I can totally envision an enactment of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ under a starry, September sky. And yes I insist on penning the screenplay and playing ‘Helena’. Across the courtyard is an exclusive branch of N’eco’s Natural Store & Café with an ideal menu to soothe your tummy whilst you soothe your senses with all the scrumptious book-talk.

The management currently offers 3 different membership packages:

– Individual Membership for PKR 6000.00
– Family Membership for PKR 15000.00
– Digital Membership for PKR 3500.00

Upon my query in regard to inviting a guest over – the management hopes to establish a nominal fee for non-members for a one-time visit but noting of this sort is currently operational. Memberships will be open from August 2016 and I have already filled my form for the same.

Throughout the tour the second team of officials Aziz B. – Library Manager and Humera Fatima – Library and Information Services Advisor were extremely helpful. Humyra and I shared a heartfelt conversation regarding Jojo Moyes too (you know what I am talking about) and she has convinced me to give the author a second try with one specific title.

The sight of those books have left me a little ‘useless’ today and thus I am unable to put across my love for this establishment. I am so happy that even if it is on the other side of the bridge, an actual library in my city is now fully functional. A decade after I moved back to my country, I am now able to procure books at an affordable bend and not worry about a pocket dent. And I cannot wait to host my book club – KHI Book Swap’s next monthly meet at this wonderfully enriching abode!

Besides they chose to put one of my favourite quotes from Harry Potter up on the wall. And you dare ask me to feel realistically about the place??!!

If my blabber wasn’t enough – you can also contact the team at [email protected] for more.

P.S – The new library website will be launched by the end of this week and I will update my post accordingly. I suggest – Watch this space!