The Tots' Library: The volunteer-run project where Romanian children in the diaspora read in Romanian

The Tots' Library, where children of Romanian parents living outside the country can read in Romanian, has expanded from its initial Prague location to a network spread throughout Europe. Founder Ana Engrth Răduleț told Romania Insider more about how an initial wish to have more Romanian-language reading options for her children became a network of 23 libraries in 15 countries that enables children to connect to their roots.

The Tots' Library (Biblioteca Prichindeilor) knew several iterations before it became today's project, hosting 15,000 books in its network. Ideas ranged from a shared collection where parents would pool their kids' books to a system where families would lend books for a limited time. As it became better known, publishing houses began contributing books. It has now grown to a multi-country project entirely run by volunteers, who juggle full-time work and family responsibilities with what can, at times, require the effort of a part-time job. The volunteers, some of whom would love to make a living out of being a librarian, also organize the various activities and events the libraries host. These vary depending on location, with some cities and communities more active than others.