Rethinking community and public space from the margins: a study of community libraries in Bangalore's slums

The growth of slums in urban regions of the Global South is an issue of major concern for a variety of fields. These rapid urban changes are presenting a myriad of challenges, including the provision of social and educational services to urban populations that are often invisible to the gaze of the state. One issue that is not often discussed in slums is the role that educational spaces and places can play in facilitating community development. Specifically, this article discusses the case of community libraries in the slums of Bangalore, India. Community libraries, while only part of a larger empowerment and development strategy, can play an important role in providing a sense of place and belonging. The libraries that are part of this case study are focused on providing services to children, which in certain respects creates wider community support.