Inspired by the late social activist Polan Sarkar, who was also known as "Alor Ferrywala", Harun Ar Rashid and his 14-year-old son Arifur Rahman Apon go around house to house, delivering books for free.

"I join my father in collecting and distributing books whenever I can," smiles Apon. "Words cannot explain how proud I am of his initiative. It brings me great joy to be a part of it."

Harun’s salon library was established to instill a reading habit amongst his customers. Photo: Star

Harun also runs a salon library initiative. "I set up my first salon library at Subrata Hair Cutting Salon in Kalakopa Bazar of Nawabganj in January this year," he says. "This initiative aims to develop young people's interest in books. I intend to carry Polan Sarkar's legacy forward."

Polan Sarkar was awarded the Ekushey Padak for his book movement in 2011.

"People wait in line at salons to get their hair cut. Most of them spend their idle time on their phones," says Harun. "If there is a library in the salon, then at least 2 out of 10 people could turn to reading a book, which is enough for me."

Till date, Harun has set up 10 libraries at different salons in Brahmanbaria, Rajshahi, Natore, and Sherpur, among other areas across Bangladesh.

"Salon library is a marvelous idea," comments high school student Mostafijur Rahman Sobuj, who visited Subrata Hair Cutting Salon. "I often come here to get my hair done and read books while waiting in line. I even bring the books I like home."

A young visitor of Nakul Fashion Hair Cutting of Brahmanbaria, Asif Iqbal Khukan, also shares his thoughts. "I come to the salon even when I do not need a haircut," he says. "I think this kind of library should be available all over the nation in every salon."

Harun is the Senior Center Manager at the Nawabganj branch of Grameen Bank. When asked about the obstacles he faced with his salon library initiative, he shares his experience. "The funding of the initiative comes from the bits of money I save from my monthly household expenses and personal expenses," he says.

Harun also runs a personal book blog, and readers can easily reach him online or via phone.  His contact information is available in each of his salon libraries. "I hope to build a salon library in each of the 64 districts of Bangladesh in the future," he concludes.

The author is a freelance journalist. Email: akhlakurrahmancharles@gmail.com.