Under Samagra Shiksha Program, cited 2 above, funds are provided for Primary schools and Secondary schools to purchase Library books and facilitate students to develop reading habits. You are also aware that in the Academic Calendar released by SCERT, one class is scheduled for Library activities for each grade. Further, programs like Patanotsavam, book reading, book review, etc. activities/programs are also conducted. In the above context, it is informed that close coordination may be ensured with BREAD Society representatives and make the best use of the Libraries supported and strengthened by them. the following guidelines are issued for establishment/running of the BREAD Children’s Library effectively in the Schools:
Location of School Library:
The location of the school library is of as much concern as is its size and shape. It should best be located in an area of maximum accessibility to the students and teachers.- The premises chosen to accommodate the library should meet the following requirements:
- should be in a quiet area free from excessive noise, disturbances and pollution.
- should be away from canteen, common room, playground and parking area
- should have good ventilation and ample daylight.
- should have sufficient floor area in the Reading Room to enable the students to use it comfortably either in groups or individually.
- should have sufficient workspace to receive books on approval and undertake accessioning, classification, cataloguing, minor repair, issue and return, and reference service activities.
- should have a separate enclosure (where possible) to be used as Committee/Conference Room by teachers and pupils for participating in joint or group discussions.
- should have sufficient stack area so as to organise the books in open shelves.
- should have a counter/enclosure for keeping personal belongings.
- Sufficient Racks, Tables and Chairs have to be provided.
Objectives of the School Library:
- School Library is to inculcate reading habits among your students/generations
- Effectively participate in the teaching-learning programme of the school;
- Provide the students with appropriate library materials both printed as well as audio
- visual and services for the overall growth and development of the personality of the students as an individual;
- Develop reading ability and interest, and inculcate love, enjoyment and pleasure of reading amongst the students;
- Assist the students to become skilful and discriminating users of the library;
- Offer opportunities for experiences in creating and using information for knowledge, understanding, information and enjoyment;
- Support all students in learning and practising skills for evaluating and using information, regardless of form, format or medium, including sensitivity to the modes of communication within the community;
- Stimulate and guide each student in the selection and use of books and other reading materials for the building of taste at an appropriate level of maturity;
- Workout a programme in consultation with teachers for the effective use of all types of library materials;
Guidelines to run Libraries effectively:
- 2 or 3 students selected by class teachers as Voluntary Student Librarians (VSLs) may be trained by designated library teacher to issue books to their classmates in the library period to take home, read and return
- Students shall be permitted to take the library books to their homes for reading and the books shall be returned after completion of the reading of the book.
- Students can exchange library books in vacations and can return any library book after a vacation
- Students can borrow another book after returning the book borrowed earlier. Till they can read books in the library
- Giving responsibility to students to issue and receive books develops responsible behaviour, team spirit and life skills among them
- Volunteers issuing books during their schooling period will result in regular functioning of BREAD Library, independent of library teacher
- Students will demand Volunteers to issue library books in the library period. They cannot do the same if the library is operated by the library teacher
- Doing brief write-ups on books read will improve writing, comprehension and
- communication skills
- 2 students from each class may be provided prizes every year for best write-ups if 10 students from each class do write-ups on at least 10 books
- HMs will recommend students for awarding prizes by BREAD Society (in schools
- where they supported setting up Libraries) and/or award them a memento during the
- school annual program
- A student can get a prize only once. This will encourage other students to do write-ups
- Facilitating students to use Library and read regularly should not be seen as an extra burden by the designated teacher/s.
- Write-ups are conclusive proof of reading books
- Adding new books at regular intervals sustains the interest of students in the library
- On average, every student in every grade should be encouraged to read 25 general books per annum @ of at least 2 books every month. Hence sufficient stock should be maintained in the Library.
- Old, torn, unserviceable library books may be weeded and removed from the Library shelves twice a year, sold or thrown away (depending on the condition) and resultant funds utilised for buying new books.
- Every year books shall be purchased to replenish the Library stock.
- Donors may be approached for donating books, bookshelves, etc.