My idea of a School Library

(Note sent to Karnataka Solution exchange discussion group on 28th Jan,2010).
Dear All,
I hereby make an effort to address the first query regarding the high school libraries.
1. What measures to be taken to ensure that libraries are student and reader friendly?
Library for me is a learning space with the purpose of enhancing interactions. As a learning space, I mean, it is an intentional and deliberately created physical and social environment with the purpose of self and peer interactions among children.
The self interactions would mean that each child has freedom and access to materials/books and learn on its own pace, explore / read the books and materials there by facilitating the individualized learning.
The peer interactions would mean that each users/child has freedom to share with other peers/teachers/parents discuss, deliberate on issues and explore the books and materials through this educative process enhance the learning of each other
Creating a learning/interactive space would mean that, we create a culture where each child is accepted and respected. Each child is valued as a potential beneficiary of the learning space and can learn the requisite skills to maximize ones learning, there by become a confident and independent learner.
I believe a dedicated physical space and a dedicated librarian are essential and necessary conditions for creating a library in the school. In my opinion, compromising on these conditions can seriously undermine the very purpose and existence of the school library
It is from this perspective; I would share my thoughts on creating child friendly libraries’ herby provide few suggestions/observations based on my earlier work with District Education Resource Center, Chamarajanagar.
1. I believe, a smiling librarian can create a friendly non threatening atmosphere for children and for users in the library. The very human approach interms of
• As a facilitator to guide and inform the children to locate the books/materials of their choice.
• As a Mentor, who can listen to children with patience and encourage words to involve the children
2. Creating a physical atmosphere which is attractive and meaningful with respect to
• Display of Materials and Books through child friendly measures, like color coding of books, theme wise wall displays etc.
• Access to catalogues, information on books
• Arranging the furniture in a creative way. (Remembering that children notice little things and it makes difference to them.)
3. Creating Instructional/activities within the library
• Childs Corner (The child is allowed to share the thoughts either through essays, drawings posters on reading an interesting books)
• Watching a movie and discussing /critiquing on social issues
• Spaces for creating posters, project models inside the library/
• Reading corners in side the classroom, where few books/materials of the library are displayed
• Orientations on library skills to students to identify and locate the books/materials
4. Institutionalizing the Library in the school curriculum
• Library period as the part of the School Time table and treated as a critical part of the school curriculum. Given adequate weightage along with other school subjects.
• Documenting the user’s data and share with children, school teachers and parents and encourage them to read books and utilize the library services.
• School as a collective decides on the books/materials required by teachers/students in collaboration with librarian.
• Encourage weekly/monthly visits of parents to school library. Library as a space for parents to get connected with the school
• Encouraging teachers to utilize the libraries, frequent library visits by teachers encourages children to visit libraries.
• Sharing the list of resources in the library with the neighborhood schools and encourage the visit of teachers/students from others schools for professional interactions and Networking.
I would request the other members in the community to share their opinions/suggestions on the creating child friendly libraries.