Libraries
Developing a school library needs proper planning. It has basically three components namely, library infrastructure, library resources and library Services.
Library infrastructure
Library is considered as growing organism in the terms of Library and Information Science. So, while planning a library its futuristic growth should be kept in mind. It should be centrally located, which makes its accessibility easy. School library should be well ventilated and airy. There should be ample natural light available for the benefit of readers. The electric wiring and fitting should be proper in order to avoid short-circuiting. Library should have reading space with child centered sitting arrangements. The furniture should not have sharp edges, which may cause physical harm to the children. The stacks height should be such that books are at the reach of children. There is need to explore changes in the outlook of children catalogue. It should be colorful, attractive and different from catalogue of adult libraries. The typical catalogue has title, author, book number, class number etc. But, children catalogue needs to be pictorial and briefly annotated. The library should be designed in such a way that it caters to the need of CWSN. There should be ample space between stacks for the movement of wheel chair. Library entry should also be facilitated with ramp facility. The reference section and display should be located near main entry of library. Libraries should have space for holding seminars, making presentations and screening. Now libraries are designed in such a way that it is adjacent to computer lab. Libraries are also equipped with computer terminals and internet broadband facilities.
Library Resources
Library resources can be categorized into three categories (1) Generalia (2) Subject Books and (3) Miscellaneous resources
Generalia will have resources like, encyclopedia, dictionaries, thesaurus, biographies, almanac, bibliographies, travelogue, diaries, letters, etc.
Subject books can be arranged on the basis of Universe of Knowledge classification. Pattern adopted should be of APUPA style.
Miscellaneous resources can be classified in others category. Novels, non-book materials, multimedia aids, etc can fall in this category.
Library Services
Following are range of a services library should have:
- Acquisition of Books
- Book binding services
- Classification and cataloguing
- Issue and Return
- Inter library loan
- Reference service
- Abstracting and indexing services
- Weeding out of non-readable books
Role of the librarian
Librarian plays a central role in library functioning. S/he is key person between children and teachers. The main role of librarian is to cater to the needs of library stake holders. They can be educators, children and school staff. The active involvement of trio, children, library and teachers can make a school library academically live and vibrant.
Book accessibility
Book accessibility is one of basic ethics of school library service. According to the five laws of library science postulated by Dr. S. R. Ranganathan ‘Every book its reader’ and ‘every reader its book’. Library resources should be so acquisitioned that every resource should get its reader. Similarly every reader in library should get its book. Earlier libraries were custodians and store house of books. Now this theory no longer applies. Open access is buzz word. Stacks are kept open for readers to browse books and select books of their choice. Now libraries are even involved in outreach program. Mobile library is one such example.
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