Sat May 17 11:12:14 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
**Couple Revives Love of Reading with Hyperlocal Online Children’s Library**
**CHENNAI, May 17, 2025** – Sudha Gopalakrishnan and H. Venkataraman, a Chennai couple, are on a mission to reignite children’s passion for reading with their online lending library, Bookshelf. Launched in December 2019, Bookshelf faced early setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic but officially relaunched in January 2025 and is now thriving, delivering books directly to young readers’ doorsteps.
Inspired by Sudha’s childhood love of reading fostered by a small local library, Bookshelf stocks over 2,000 books for children up to age 12, featuring Indian authors, multi-language options, and age-appropriate content. The couple’s teenage daughter even contributes to the selection process.
Operating from a room in their Thoraipakkam flat, Bookshelf focuses on a hyperlocal model, serving readers along the OMR from Perungudi to Kelambakkam. Venkat, a finance consultant, manages the marketing and promotions, while Sudha uses her freelance web design skills to manage the online platform. The couple avoids the high costs of a physical location, allowing them to focus on expanding their collection and reaching more families.
Unlike traditional libraries, Bookshelf prioritizes encouraging reading over strict return policies. Their next venture will involve a “travelling library,” bringing books, storytellers, and interactive activities to apartment complexes and gated communities.
“It is a slow journey and we are not looking at it as a profitable business, just the satisfaction of seeing families take to reading,” says Sudha. Bookshelf currently has 60 members and is continuing to grow. The couple are grateful to the Federation of OMR Residents Associations (FOMRRA) for its encouragement.
Bookshelf is hosting its first “OMR Storytelling Festival,” featuring music, crafts, dance, and drama, at its website, https://bookshelf-library.com.
First Piper 