Thus, Maliha shared tips and tricks of online research with the group. She taught participants how to phrase questions while using search engines for the best results. The group also discussed various types of information that could be found using the internet such as newspaper articles, blogs and encyclopedia entries. Maliha explained that, since anybody could publish articles online and edit Wikipedia entries, all information accessed via the internet was to be regarded with a degree to skepticism.
"What is a library?" Maliha asked when that was finally over. "What can a library be?" She asked the participants to close their eyes and picture the perfect library.
"I've never been to a library," said Mohtashim. Many others raised their hands in agreement. It was clear that a lot of the group did not know what to expect from a library. Maliha then asked the group to imagine a comfortable and warm place where they could learn and study and think in peace and then to write their ideas on the blackboard.
Maliha then proceeded to show pictures of beautiful personal, public and private libraries all over the world to the group. In contrast, she showed them pictures of Sehba Akhtar Library. The group was slightly crestfallen to see the condition it was in. The pictures, however, showed how bare the library was. Maliha told the kids that they would be in charge of its design.
The group then looked at some library promotion posters. The common thread in all the posters led them to the conclusion that the greatest thing that could be done to save a library was to visit it and encourage others to do so as well. The participants discussed various means of attracting people to the library once it had been restored.
"But no-one will come," said someone. "Nobody knows about the library. Nobody knows how to use libraries."
Maliha explained that just because nobody was currently using the library should not be taken to mean that there was no need for the library in the community or that people could not be convinced to start using it. She concluded that promotion of the library and demonstration of how to use its resources were, in fact, as important restocking and refurnishing it. She further explained that it could take years to change people's habits and that disappointment should be expected in the short- and medium-term but that, if people kept working hard continuously, things would change drastically in the long-term.
"But who will maintain the library?" asked someone.
"That is the government's job," said Maliha. "But if the government fails to do its job, do not just sit around and complain because that will only affect your library. Such a situation increases your responsibility." The group discussed ways in which their library could be maintained, which included fining misconduct and mistreatment of library facilities.
The group then read letters written by several notable authors to the children of Troy, Michigan, congratulating them regarding the establishment of a public library in their community.
After a lunch of Red Apple garlic-mayo chicken rolls (which Maliha described as "exquisite"), the kids visited the library for the first time. They surveyed the repainting and carpentry going on the building and were shown the architectural plans we have for the library. Maliha re-emphasized the idea of teamwork and collaboration and told the group that they should expect to get their hands dirty if this project was supposed to be a success.