Vadodara, July 2 — Gujarat has long been at the forefront of nurturing intellectual growth, and standing testimony to this legacy is Asia’s only cooperative society of public libraries, headquartered in Vadodara. Known as the Gujarat Pustakalay Sahayak Sahkari Mandal, the cooperative has completed a remarkable 101 years in service.
The roots of this movement date back to 1910, when Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad of Baroda established a separate library department, initiating a vibrant reading culture across his princely state. By 1924, recognizing the need for organized support, the cooperative was officially formed, thanks to visionary efforts by Motibhai Amin and others.
Over time, more than 1200 public libraries across Gujarat became members of this mandal. Unlike traditional cooperatives, it welcomes only public libraries—not individuals—as its members. Today, it remains the only such body of its kind in all of Asia, according to Mandal President Shri Thakorbhai Patel.
The mandal’s achievements include the publication of over 725 books, many by authors whose manuscripts were initially rejected by mainstream publishers. Notable first-time publications supported by the cooperative include works by Yogeshwar, Babu Pravin Vaidya, Madhav Mo. Chaudhary, Navneet J. Sevak, Rishik Mehta, Jayanti Dalal, Gunvant Bhatt, and Khalil Dhantejvi. The spiritual classic “Shrimad Bhagwat Rahasya” by Shree Dongarjee Maharaj has seen more than 20 editions published through this body.
Back in the 1920s, Baroda State boasted more than 2,300 libraries, and by 1925, the Central Library alone housed 1.05 lakh books. The reach of public libraries extended to over 70% of the population at the time. Separate reading rooms for women and facilities in smaller towns were a testament to Sayajirao’s inclusive vision.
Today, the cooperative operates from its Vasaht campus in Vadodara. It offers books at a permanent 10% discount to readers, with an additional 10% off during Chaturmas. The Mandal also conducts annual reading proficiency tests and continues to serve as a hub for educational, cultural, and literary enrichment.
While Kerala has a cooperative for authors, this library-centric cooperative model remains unique to Gujarat—and to Asia. As it enters its 102nd year, the Gujarat Pustakalay Sahayak Sahkari Mandal continues to prove that when knowledge is shared cooperatively, it creates a more enlightened and connected society.
Source: Directorate of Information, Gujarat
