Alif Laila Book Bus Society

The Alif Laila Book Bus was set up in 1978 by Dr. Nita Baker, an American living in Pakistan. She requested the PRTB to donate a double decker bus which became Pakistan’s first children’s library, catching the imagination of children and adults alike. In a country where rote learning is still the norm and where developing the creative and critical understanding of children, is not considered essential ALBBS has been bringing the magic of books and literature to children since the past 40+ years. It has 1 mobile bus, 1 mobile pickup, 1 mobile rickshaw, 1 camel Library and 1 bike library which visits low income communities and schools weekly, a model which is not present anywhere in Pakistan. Our outreach is in all provinces of Pakistan. Working in partnership with organizations like International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), UNESCO UNICEF NRSP Creativity Culture and Education (CCE), International Development Bank, International Rescuer Committee (IRS) USAID; ALBBS has over the last four decades established its name as one of the premier organizations working towards enhancing reading skills and promoting a love for books among children. AWARDS AND RECOGNITION • We are a national chapter of International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY). • Alif Laila is on the board of Punjab Library Foundation, Children Library Complex, Daanish Schools- all are projects of Government of the Punjab. • We are accredited by Pakistan Center of Philanthropy • Our library program has won the following awards 1. Freedom Through Literacy Award 2015 2. Library of Congress Literacy Award 2015. Our work was showcased in the Library of Congress Best Practices journal. 3. The Hobby Club/Resource center programme was recognized by the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) in 2011 for its outstanding contribution to innovation in world education 4. Pakistan Television Award (Heeron ki Talash) 5. Fatima Jinnah Award