CLASS LIBRARY WHY READING MATTERS?

“I am only one, but still, I am one.

I cannot do everything, but still, I can do something;

and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do

something that I can do.”

-Edward Everett Hale

• School Library an essential component of the school at all levels

• Both teachers and students need to be motivated and trained to use

the library as a resource for learning, pleasure and concentration

• An intellectual space where teachers, Children and members of the

community can expect to find the means to deepen their knowledge

and imagination

• One period a week to be devoted to library reading. During this time, children sit and read silently in the library.

• It is important to let the child choose rather than having the teacher distribute the books

• Library books can be used in the language class

• For class projects, encourage children to look up reference in the library

• Children can be asked to write about the book they have read that week during the language class

• Let them share a story that they have read with the other children in the class

Encourage the students in reading books

Motivate students to read extensively

Make them aware of the value of books

Integrate reading with the curriculum

Proper and full utilization of library resources

"The greatest gift is the passion for reading.

It is cheap, it consoles, it distracts, it excites,

it gives you knowledge of the world

and experience of a wide kind.

It is a moral illumination."

Elizabeth Hardwick

Beneficial for language improvement

Develop literary skills

Vocabulary building

Comprehension skills

Exposure to the literature

Character building

Value education

General awareness

Imagination, source of ideas …

• Not aware of the benefits of reading

• Insufficient exposure to good books

• Family background

• No time to read – examination oriented study

• Language problems

• No motivation or encouragement

• Not aware of the books available

• Lack of fully functional libraries

Do You Really Think So?

Display of New Books

Judiciously selected books

Create “Reading Circles/Clubs”

Cooperate and coordinate with the teachers

Attractively furnished, well maintained library

Librarian with a pleasing and positive attitude

Up-to-date catalogue, proper guides, instructions

Display of “Books of the Month” or “Author of the Month”

Display of Students works like Cover Design, Book Review etc.

Organise Book Talks, Book Exhibitions, Reading contests, quiz …

Recommend good books

Teacher should be a reader

Promote “Reading Circles/Clubs”

Plan interesting reading related activities

Tell stories and discuss the books they have read

Encourage students to read aloud in the classroom

Encourage the students to write reviews and articles

Bringing out class magazines as a platform for creative expression

• Should have well equipped library with a qualified librarian

• Provide sufficient support for library development

• Develop a reading culture in the school

• Celebrate “Book Week”

• Integrate reading in curriculum

• Class libraries

Encourage children to read

Read aloud stories for them

Ensure they have access to good books

Listen to your children when they are reading

Tell the child about the books you have read

Visit your local library with your children

Motivate their literary skills

Gift them books!

• Allocating space within the classroom for displaying a variety of reading materials

• Provides ready access to reading materials and act as activity centres to energise the class rooms

• Class Teacher will be in-charge • From Class I – V • Kendriya Vidyalaya Library Policy, Common Minimum

Programme, NCF 2005

• Class teacher should maintain a register to keep track of the books

read

• Ensure that every student maintains a notebook in which the name

of book read, its author and a brief account of the content

• The books will be provided from the main library and it can be

replaced from time to time

• Display the books attractively in cupboards

• The books need not be stacked where only the spine is visible. The cover page carries the visual appeal.

• Emphasis should be on usability of the book rather than longevity. Hardbound, dull binding should be avoided.

• Make this reading corner attractive and comfortable.

• Create an environment that is supportive of early writing by making sure paper, crayons, pens, pencils, and markers are available.

• Use flashy slogans, poems, banners that talks about a new

book and motivate children to read.

• Novelity is key to motivation and thus the content of class

libraries should change frequently.

• They need to be regularly updated with new books from the

main library so as to keep the enthusiasm alive.

• The teacher may read aloud the title, sub-title, author’s name, illustrator, and also talk about the illustrations of the cover and the back page.

• Encourage children to predict the plot, share what they see on the cover page, share their experiences.

• Engage learners to respond to what they read. The idea is their opinion about the book and their view point needs to be respected.

• Introduce sharing time when children share their reading experiences/books.

• Key words from a book can be selected on the bulletin as sight words. Key word selection does not imply difficult words or simple phonic based words.

• The teacher can ask children to read and narrate a story

• make picture books using the characters of a story but altering the plot

• frame riddles about the characters they studied and play a quiz, build story maps.

• Other literary activities may include writing an introduction for a book, making a poster, role play, letter writing.

• Class library bulletin boards may be maintained

• Book Reviews, Book exhibitions and book clubs

• Celebration of reading day/reading week

• Book review competition

• Vote for Favourite Book

• Best Reader Award

• Children should feel class library to be their own and not an inaccessible space.

• they should be empowered in multiple ways to use this space creatively.

• Their voices need attention and demand implementation. • Children’s projects, diaries, work, journals, self made books

ought to be displayed. • This should be a space for learning together and not for giving

stars, grades and displaying the best. • Efforts are important not the final products.

• Visit the main library with children and allow them to select material for reading and place it in their class library.

• Children can be engaged in making posters, slogans, book covers etc. to attract the readers.

• Wear and tear of books is natural. Children should be engaged in mending books and thus tapes, scissors, glue should be provided to them.

• Encourage children to share the books they read at home and place it in class library for a day or two for others to read.

• A class library needs to be equipped with a variety of reading material.

A variety of children’s literature should be available to readers. This includes wordless picture books, comics, fantasy stories, humorous stories, mysteries, biographies, experiential stories, folk tales, fables , poems...

Other reading material like book reviews, catalogues, brochures, pamphlets, magazines, newspapers ...

Diversity of language should be encouraged

A GOOD BOOK IS…

Entertaining

With attractive illustrations

Presented in a clear, rich and simple language

Contains interesting imaginative characters, events, themes and situations

Provides knowledge/pleasure

Rich and varied content

"To read is to empower

To empower is to write

To write is to influence

To Influence is to change

To change is to live."

~ Jane Evershed ~

• Role of class libraries in promoting reading habits by Meeta Mohanty, National Seminar on Libraries at NCERT on 10/ 11 Feb. 2009

• National Curriuclum Framework 2005, NCERT

• Library Policy for Kendriya Vidyalayas, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan

• School Library Guidelines, CBSE

REFERENCES

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