(Photo: 964media)
'My aim is not profit, but a love for books'
Retired librarian transforms home storage into community library in Mosul
MOSUL — In the heart of Mosul’s Al-Risala neighborhood, 73-year-old lifelong lover of books Ahmed Al-Rashidi has repurposed a storage space in his home into a public library that now offers an extensive collection to local students and residents.
Ahmed Al-Rashidi told 964media, “My beginnings with books go back to 1973 when I was admitted to the College of Political Science at the University of Baghdad. I started collecting books from Al-Mutanabbi Street, Souq Al-Saray, and bookstores on Al-Saadoun Street.” Over the years, his passion for literature has only grown stronger. After beginning his career at the University of Mosul’s College of Education in 1980 and hosting personal book exhibitions from 1993 until 2003, Al-Rashidi dedicated himself to his collection full-time following his retirement in 2015.
Now, Al-Rashidi’s modest library—named “Al-Risala Library”—has expanded from 7,000 to 15,000 books. “At that time, I had 7,000 books. Today, I have 15,000,” he said.
Determined to support local students in an area with few library resources, Al-Rashidi emphasized that his goal is driven by his passion for books rather than profit. “My aim is not profit, but my love for books and my desire to help students. The nearest school is just 50 meters away, and most of its students buy or borrow books from me,” he explained.
The library’s collection spans a wide range of subjects, with an emphasis on novels, historical works, and stories. “Most readers prefer novels, stories, and historical topics,” he added.
To make reading accessible, Al-Rashidi has implemented a very low-cost borrowing system. “I charge 250 IQD ($0.16) to borrow a book for a month, and 500 IQD ($0.32) for a large volume. During summer break, I extend borrowing for the entire vacation for just 250 IQD ($0.16),” he said.
Books are also available for purchase at affordable prices, allowing the library to serve as both a lending and retail resource for the community.
