Books on a real shelf
Persian books are labeled, cataloged, and placed in a trusted local setting instead of remaining inside private collections.
Work
HamKetab
A free Persian book-sharing network using local bookstores as simple, trusted places to borrow, return, and donate books.
Stage
Free Persian books, shared locally.
HamKetab makes Persian books easier to borrow through a physical shelf, a lightweight digital workflow, and local bookstore partners. The project combines a catalog, a handover system, and the community using them.
A simple exchange
Readers can borrow, return, and donate books through a free workflow with as little friction as possible.
A bookstore as host
The bookstore gives the project a familiar public face, while HamKetab keeps the added work for the partner light.
Torino as the first node
The Torino operation is the first test of a model that could be repeated in other cities.
Backstage
The shelf was the easy part.
I am moving HamKetab from a founder-led local project toward a shared structure with city managers, clear documentation, bookstore onboarding, and a small technical layer.
I separated central and local work
The central hub handles strategy, technology, brand, expansion, reporting, and shared standards. City managers handle bookstore relationships, local logistics, volunteers, and feedback.
I kept trust at the center
The exchange relies on a simple agreement between readers, donors, bookstores, and local teams instead of heavy verification or payment.
I kept the technology small
The digital workflow supports reservation, PIN-based pickup, return, and donation while remaining simple enough for a bookstore to host.
I am learning to step back
The project has become a practical lesson in delegation, documentation, legal research, and reducing its dependence on me.