Catch children young for love of books and reading habits, suggests research study

According to the CBSE (2013), the school library, in today’s context ought to be a 'Learning Resource Centre' with a dynamic learning space where students undertake a journey of knowledge acquisition and intellectual enrichment. Besides, easily accessing information facilitate creativity by offering opportunities for experiences in creating and using data for knowledge, understanding, information and gaining 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," informs the CBSE adding that teachers must design assignments and plan projects requiring the learners to access library resources.

The CBSE has also emphasized that books must find a place in every classroom under the direct control and supervision of the class teacher and a student librarian of the class. These class libraries can be used by students who finish their class work more quickly for enrichment of their learning with wide variety of reading material and school-developed substitution programmes through assigned library work when a teacher is on leave. Class teachers at times must engage students to create supplementary material as well such as subject and grade wise glossaries for vocabulary building and standard definitions of various terms.

The NEP-2020 emphasising on the importance of libraries and books by highlighting on various aspects of academic including and has also urged the development of enjoyable and inspirational books in Indian languages, availability and accessibility of books in school/public libraries, strengthening of libraries and building a culture of reading across all ages and grades. GOI's (2020) Union Education Ministry has issued the guidelines to optimise the use of school libraries to promote a Culture of Reading and setting up reading corners in the classrooms amidst print rich environment .

Implicating the envisaged role of library in inculcating reading and researching skills by the NEP-2020 and circular issued by the CBSE to the affiliated schools and attempt was made to catch children young right from foundational education stage and introduce teacher-made big books and string library in the classroom, The innovation was documented at Som Gurukul, Kurukshetra, and a research paper presented at a national conference at Kurukshetra University in March 2024. The paper authored by Dr Lalit Kishore and Subhash Chauhan made waves and was splashed in local newspapers

References

CBSE (2013). LIBRARY AS A RESOURCE CENTRE, New Delhi, Central Board of Secondary Education,

GOI (2020), GUIDELINES FOR LIBRARY GRANT AND PROMOTING READING IN SCHOOLS: New Delhi: Department of School Education and Literacy