Case Studies

Creating a Vibrant Library As part of the course curriculum, library educators are made aware of the use of library space which includes appropriate planning of storage of books, displays of book which could be in accessible range of children, seating and reading space. Alumnus Birajo revamped her existing library space by implementing small changes. She made sure books were visible to children and hung them up on strings and put them out on the table for children to browse. She made the library room cheerful and vibrant by adding children’s art work like origami work and displaying a few posters. “Before LEC around 20-22 children came to the library regularly. But after I have made these changes, the number of children has increased to 75. Now children spend more time in the library and are also interested in reading books. Almost all children borrow books for home,” she says. “Earlier I used to think that it will take a lot to transform a library space. But little changes have made my library vibrant and welcoming. I have learnt how to use the walls for display and use colors to create a welcoming environment. I believe the library space should be equally welcoming for the adult. Space matters but we can think beyond physical space if we are sensitive and aware for the needs and backgrounds of children,” she says. The LEC alumni are stretching their imagination and continuously locating new physical and social spaces for reading. Alumnus Ghanshyam opened a library in a Madrasa in Varanasi, where he works with the weaver’s community. Since space was a constraint but Ghanshyam opened a classroom corner library. “Before I came into the course I always imagined a library as a separate place where children sit and read quietly. Now I know library has to be an active space and we have to engage children continuously with books,” he shares. When Ghanshyam is unable to display books due to lack of space he puts books in the classrooms and encourages children to browse and read them whatever they want to read. They are not allowed to issue books home because they have limited collection as compared to the number of children. But he has managed to get them to use the available space and time in the Madrasa for reading books. His experiences at LEC have encouraged Dilip to reopen closed libraries in Abu Road block of Sirohi district. Dilip found that two government schools had library space and books but were non-functional. Teachers were not conducting any specialized activities for reading promotion or using library and neither was the community involved in any way. There was no practice of issuing books home. Dilip started selected activities with children such as narrating story, discussion on illustrations in books and read aloud. These created interest among children to start using the library. He also nudged teachers to participate. It too around four months to revamp the library and with time, the libraries have become active and vibrant. “Children of grades 1-5 are borrowing books home. They are excited about their lending cards and judiciously write the names of books and maintain regular record of books borrowed. Now teachers manage the libraries,“ says Dilip.[/one-eight][/row][/content][logo_parag container='true' containertype='' url='' class='parag-logo' page='true' category='false' id='20' logo='false' defaulttext='More Case Studies from'][childposts class='' name='' slug='paraglibrary-case-study' childposts='true' showposts=2 container='true' containertype='' design=2 pager='no'][logo_parag container='true' containertype='' url='' class='rav' page='true' category='false' id='20' logo='false' defaulttext='More from'][childpages class='childpages-last' bgcolor='' page='true' container='true' containertype='' parentid='' all='true' id='24,26' alternate='true' left='true' hidden='' catid='']">