Frequently Asked Questions

The StoryBook Library is a premium children's book rental service founded by Dr. Maliha Saman A, a dentist and certified Montessori educator. We deliver curated batches of high-quality storybooks directly to your doorstep across Chennai, allowing your child to explore a world of reading without the cost and clutter of buying every book.

The ₹1,000 signup fee is a one-time, fully refundable charge that covers:

• Permanent library account setup and identity verification
• Initial logistics for your first book delivery
• A security deposit against potential book damage or loss

This fee is never recurring. You will receive a full refund when you cancel your membership and return all books in good condition.

Getting started is simple:

1. Create an account on our website with your email and phone number
2. Pay the ₹1,000 signup fee (one-time, refundable)
3. Choose a membership plan (Explorer, Voyager, or Pioneer)
4. Browse and select books for your first batch
5. Receive your books at your doorstep within 3-5 business days

We currently offer free doorstep delivery exclusively within Chennai. During checkout, simply enter your pincode to confirm delivery availability to your specific location within the city.

Our collection is carefully curated for children aged 0 to 12 years. As a Montessori educator, Dr. Maliha personally selects books that align with developmental milestones, including board books, early readers, chapter books, and young adult titles.

Currently, our collection is primarily in English. While we don't offer regional language books at the moment, we are always looking to expand our collection based on member feedback. If you have specific requests, please feel free to contact us.

Absolutely! We love book requests. Simply email us at thestorybooklibrary.chennai@gmail.com with the book title and author. If it aligns with our age-appropriate curation standards, we'll add it to our inventory and notify you when it's available.

If you receive a book that was already damaged before delivery, please notify us within 48 hours of delivery with photos. We will replace it immediately at no cost to you. We inspect every book before shipping, but occasionally issues can arise during transit.

Our three plans differ in the number of books you can rent per batch and the exclusive perks:

• 🛰️ Explorer (399/mo): 6 books per batch. Perfect for young readers.
• 🚀 Voyager (599/mo): 9 books per batch + Priority Reservations. Our most popular choice!
• 🌌 Pioneer (₹799/mo): 12 books per batch + Priority Reservations + 10% OFF on all classes & workshops.

All plans include a flat ₹10/day late fee and free delivery within Chennai.

No, you cannot upgrade your plan mid-cycle. Both upgrades and downgrades will only take effect from the next billing cycle once your current plan expires

Our plans are not auto-renewing subscriptions. When your plan expires, you'll receive a reminder email. You can then manually purchase a new plan (same or different tier) from your dashboard to continue renting. Your ₹1,000 signup fee remains active as long as your account exists.

The 28-day cycle is designed to optimize courier costs and ensure fair access to popular books for all members. Even if you return your books early, the system enforces the 28-day wait from your last order date. This helps us maintain affordable pricing and consistent delivery schedules.

We offer free doorstep delivery across Chennai. Once your order is processed, books are dispatched via our trusted courier partners. Delivery typically takes 3-5 business days. You'll receive a tracking link via email and SMS as soon as your package is shipped.

Returning books is simple. You have two options:

1. Self Drop-off: Visit our library in Chennai to return the books in person.
2. Courier: Pack the books securely and courier them back to us at your own expense.

Note: We do not provide prepaid return labels. Return shipping costs are borne by the member.

Your rental period is 30 days from the delivery date. If books are not returned by the due date, a flat late fee of ₹10 per book, per day applies to all plans (Explorer, Voyager, and Pioneer).

Late fees must be paid manually via your dashboard before you can place your next order. We do not auto-deduct from your payment method or security deposit.

If a book is lost or returned in an unreadable condition, you'll be charged 100% of the book's retail replacement cost. This amount must be paid before your next order can be processed.

Every returned book goes through our rigorous 5-step sanitization process:

1. Visual inspection for damage
2. Dry brushing to remove dust and debris
3. Safe, child-friendly sanitizing wipe for covers
4. 48-hour quarantine period before re-shelving

Your child's safety is our top priority.

Absolutely. All our books are published by reputable publishers and use child-safe, non-toxic inks and materials. For toddlers and young children, we specifically recommend our board book collection, which is designed to withstand handling and is completely safe even if little ones put books in their mouths.

We're here to help! Reach us through:

• Email: thestorybooklibrary.chennai@gmail.com
• Response Time: We typically respond within 24 hours on business days
• Support Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 6 PM IST

Yes! Gifting a StoryBook Library membership makes a wonderful present. Simply create an account using the recipient's email address, pay the signup fee and plan, and let us know it's a gift. We'll include a personalized welcome note with their first delivery.

Absolutely. We take data privacy seriously and comply with India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) 2023. We never sell your data, and we only share information with trusted partners (like courier services) when absolutely necessary for delivery. Read our full Privacy Policy for complete details.

You can cancel anytime. To receive your full ₹1,000 signup fee refund:

1. Return ALL books currently rented
2. Ensure all books are in acceptable condition
3. Clear any outstanding late fees or penalties

Once these conditions are met, your refund will be processed to your original payment method within 7-10 business days.