It's Library Lovers' Day: Have a Blind Date with a Book

Library Lovers' Day is celebrated on February 14th, starting from 2006, to honor libraries, librarians, and the joy of reading. This day also emphasizes the crucial role libraries have in communities and institutions by providing free resources, nurturing a passion for learning, and creating inviting spaces. Events like 'blind date with a book' are often part of the celebration.

An AI Overview highlights the following points about this observance.

1. Purpose: To celebrate, appreciate, and support local, school, and academic libraries, along with their staff.

2. Date: It coincides with Valentine's Day on February 14th, encouraging people to express their love for libraries.

3. Activities: Libraries around the globe organize special events, including book displays and reading challenges like 'blind date with a book' that connect readers with new genres.

4. Origin: This initiative was started by the State Library of New South Wales in 2006 and is backed by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA).

5. Significance: It underscores that libraries are not just places for storing books; they serve as community centers for connection, technology, and quiet study.

   
   

The Overview recommends the following ways to celebrate:

• Visit and Borrow: Go to your local library and borrow books, movies, or other materials.

• Donate or Volunteer: Contribute your time or make donations to help grow library collections.

• Spread the Word: Motivate others to get a library card and utilize library services.

Here is an abtract of my paper on library science

Transitioning from Homework to Library-Work via Read-To-Learn Skill of Web-Charting: Action Research in Information Science to Vitalize School Library

Dr Lalit Kishore

Abstract

Owing to noteworthy contribution of Ranganathan – the father of library science - an academic and research area of ‘library and information science’ has emerged and libraries are being viewed as learning resource centres. With National Education Policy-2020 in place, National Curriculum Framework-2023 has articulated the precept ‘library built into the design of learning.’ Also, Central Board of Secondary Education in its recent circulars has asked schools to include library-work periods in the timetable. With the new challenges thrown up for putting policy into action, contextual adaptations in library functioning are required Drawing motivation from the policy provisions, a two-day mixed workshop was organized on ‘read-to-learn-skills’ for the senior students and teachers (Grades 10-12) and action research study was launched for grades 6 to 12 (N=45, age group: 11-18 years) to read books from library and at home by processing information in three kinds of web-charts: vocabulary web-charts; linked dual-code web-charts; and noun-verb web-charts to show relationships. Teachers validated the action research and felt professionally ready (N=18; trained, 30-40 years age, p ≤ .01, DF=2) to organize library sessions from the academic year 2024-25 for meaningful library-work and reduce the cognitive load of homework which often leads to tuition.

Keywords: Action research, contextual adaptation, information processing, library-work, reading with intent, vocabulary building, web charting,