What is a Library?\u00a0<\/strong>A Library is a building or room containing collections of books, periodicals, and sometimes films and recorded music for use or borrowing by the public or the members of an institution.<\/p>\n In addition to providing materials, libraries also provide the services of librarians<\/a> who are experts at finding and organizing information and at interpreting information needs.<\/p>\n Libraries often provide quiet areas for studying, and they also often offer common areas to facilitate group study and collaboration. Libraries often provide public facilities for access to their electronic resources and the Internet<\/a>.<\/p>\n Modern Library \u2013 beyond books:<\/strong><\/p>\n Modern libraries are increasingly being redefined as places to get unrestricted access to information<\/a> in many formats and from many sources. They are extending services beyond the physical walls of a building, by providing material accessible by electronic means.<\/p>\n Libraries are increasingly becoming community hubs where programs are delivered and people engage in lifelong learning. As community centers, libraries are also becoming increasingly important in helping communities mobilize and organize for their rights.<\/p>\n RRRLF is a central autonomous organization established and fully financed by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. RRRLF is registered under the West Bengal Societies Registration Act, 1961. It is the nodal agency of the Government of India to support public library services and systems and promote public library movement in the country commensurate with the objectives as embodied in its Memorandum of Association.<\/p>\n The supreme policy-making body of RRRLF is called the Foundation. It consists of 22 members nominated by the Government of India from amongst eminent educationists, librarians, administrators and senior officials. The Minister of the Department of Culture, Government of India or his nominee is the Chairman of RRRLF. Professor Brij Kishore Sharma is the present Chairman of RRRLF and Director General is the executive head and ex-officio Member-Secretary of the Foundation.<\/p>\n The Foundation works in close association and active cooperation with different State Govts. and Union Territory Administrations through a machinery called State Library Planning Committee (SLPC\/SLC) set up in each State at the instance of the Foundation. To participate in Foundation’s programs, a State Government\/U.T. is required to contribute a certain amount fixed by the Foundation.<\/p>\n Since 2005-06 the Foundation has also taken up the initiative to develop the District Youth Resource Centre (DYRC) in collaboration with Nehru Yuvak Kendra Sangathana, an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Sports & Youth Affairs.<\/p>\n It is important to let the child choose rather than having the teacher distribute the books.<\/em><\/p>\n People who are worried about their basic needs of food, clothing and shelter can\u2019t imagine remotely using school or public libraries. Commercialization of education has now added a new dimension to the existing problems of school education.<\/p>\n School libraries in India, wherever they exist, face a multitude of problems ranging from inadequate space for keeping books and reading space in school buildings to less trained staff.<\/p>\n Non availability of regular funds for acquiring reading materials is a major problem faced by school libraries in government and semi-government sector.<\/p>\n These schools have only amalgamated funds and parent-teacher association fund from which only a limited number of approved books can be purchased.<\/p>\n Schools in the private sector do not have much of a problem with funds but availability to library is subject to priority given to it by Head of School.<\/p>\n The collections have not grown beyond the prescribed books in the syllabus with a few exceptions.<\/p>\n Even the books approved by state directorates of education neither are of good quality nor directly relevant.<\/p>\n The ad-hoc system of school libraries is running throughout the length and breadth of the country in the absence of any specific guidelines and standards for their sustained growth.<\/p>\n Rural schools are lagging behind the urban ones in terms of professionally trained library staff.<\/strong><\/p>\n There are no incentives for trained staff for working in rural schools, besides the problems mentioned earlier are manifested to a greater degree.<\/strong><\/p>\n While there is need for training of professional librarians, mechanisms have not been developed and avenues are not available for this.<\/strong><\/p>\n In many parts of the country, community libraries are functioning in rural areas, and government libraries exist in many district headquarters.<\/p>\n However, commute to these common libraries by children is challenging.<\/p>\n Hence, in order to maximize the use of resources, it is important to plan a library in each school.<\/p>\n Library enables a child to attain great wisdom at almost free of cost.<\/p>\n Library and book reading not only improves reading habits but also a child\u2019s imagination.<\/p>\n Children can learn about:<\/p>\n And the list goes on thus strengthening the young India, capable to transform the world to a new era.<\/p>\n This will also increase the nation\u2019s literacy rate by heaps and bounds.<\/p>\n So powerful the books are!<\/p>\n Despite this fact, why is it still a challenge to instill reading as a hobby?<\/p>\n Initially, children need guidance on book reading. Children learn what they watch most of the time!!<\/strong><\/p>\n Book reading should either be a hobby of parents or best friends so that a child can watch and learn.<\/p>\n In this busy life, it is rare to notice book reading as a hobby of parents. And that too in rural India, it is almost impossible!<\/p>\n Teachers and librarians play a major role in encouraging book reading.<\/p>\n While the Policy has already mentioned most of the tips, below are few more:<\/p>\n These will not only improve child\u2019s reading ability but also their personality and confidence.<\/p>\n Children\u2019s speech has more impact as they stand true examples!!<\/strong><\/p>\n The organization was founded on the belief that quality education is the undeniable right of every child and that children should not be deprived of this just because they do not have access to it or the resources to realise their dreams. — https:\/\/akshara.org.in\/<\/a><\/p>\n Pratham Books is a nonprofit publisher introducing children to the joy of reading.<\/strong> — <\/strong>https:\/\/prathambooks.org<\/a><\/p>\n Room to Read seeks to transform the lives of millions of children in low-income communities by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education. Working in collaboration with local communities, partner organizations and governments, we develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children, and support girls to complete secondary school with the relevant life skills to succeed in school and beyond.\u00a0 — <\/strong>https:\/\/www.roomtoread.org\/countries\/india\/<\/a><\/p>\n ThinkSharp Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 2011 with a vision Overcoming the space issues, ThinkSharp foundation has come up a project of \u201cStudyMall<\/strong>\u201d with a new idea of \u201cModular Hanging Library<\/strong>\u201d .<\/p>\n StudyMall<\/strong> is nothing but a \u201cModern Library\u201d which is way beyond just books.<\/p>\n Such a lively environment makes children feel to visit the library often and spend more time reading books or involving in many activities.<\/p>\nLibrary policy is ruled by Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation \u2013 RRRLF:<\/h1>\n
School Library Policy says:<\/h1>\n
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Current status of availability of School Libraries<\/h1>\n
Importance of School Library<\/h1>\n
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Possible reasons children not keen in reading books<\/h1>\n
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<\/h1>\nTips to encourage children visiting libraries and reading books<\/h1>\n
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Besides academics, library should provide access to:\u00a0<\/strong><\/h1>\n
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Various NGOs work closely on Child Education and School Libraries. Few of them are:\u00a0<\/strong><\/h1>\n
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\n“To bridge the Rural-Urban education divide”.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thinksharpfoundation.org\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/WaterMark_2017-12-21-23-07-58-1024x768.jpg\")
StudyMall offers <\/a><\/h2>\n
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