CH-13 ORGANISATION AND USE OF SCHOOL LIBRARY
At one time, library
was regarded as a storehouse of books and books were meant for preservation only.
The librarian was supposed to be a custodian, who did not encourage the use of
books. The main Purpose of the library was to store the knowledge or to
preserve the books. The person could read the library books in the library
only. The readers were expected to use the library on their own. Libraries
tended to be passive and archival institutions.
13.2 MEANING AND DEFINITIONS OF LIBRARY
The word library has
been derived from the Latin word ‘Libraria’. Libraria is the name of the place
where books are kept. It is a repository and source of information and ideas, a
place for learning and enquiry,
and for the generation
of thought and the creation of new knowledge. Libraries range in size from a
few shelves of books to several million items. There are different kinds of
libraries. A school library, college library, Public library, special library,
etc. are popular in our societies.
So a library is an
ocean of knowledge. One can get as much as he/she likes or needs to obtain.
According to Dr. S.R. Ranganathan
(Founder of Library Science) “A library is a public institution or
establishment charged with the care of collection of books and the duty of
making them accessible to those who acquire the use of them.”
UNESCO define Library
as, “any organized collection of printed books and periodicals or any other graphic
or audio-visual materials with a staff to provide and facilitate the use of
such materials as are required to meet the informational research, educational
and recreational needs of users”
According to Compact
Oxford Reference Dictionary, “Library is
a building or room containing a collection of books and periodicals for use by
public or the members of an institution.”
According to Webster's
Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary “Library is a place set apart to contain
books and other material for reading, study or reference.”
A library is a place
where not only books but also magazines, journals and newspapers are will-stocked
for the benefit of the readers. It is a treasure-house of knowledge. It inlets
to spread education. A reader can either read in the library or borrow the book
of his choice and take it home.
13.3 OBJECTIVES OF SCHOOL LIBRARY
The primary objective
of a library is to provide the right information to the right users at the
right time . The other objectives of libraries are discussed below:
1. To support all
educational programmers: The library must be made the hub of ail the activities
planned and executed in the institution. Libraries can be used by students to
prepare for their next class, home examination, information, competitions,
recreation, project work, seminar and various other competitions and extra curricular
activist’s which. are organized of the institute from time to time. So to satisfy
users varied needs, libraries should provide books that support all educational
programme of the institute.
2. To cultivate
reading habits: The habit of reading books other than text books should be inculcated
among students. If good library habits are formed at early stage, then these
will continue later. Libraries contain novels, books of travels and popular
magazines for meeting the recreational needs of the readers. Reading habit
improves the imaginative skills and enhances the vocabulary.
3. To Inculcate the
habit of seeking help of additional sources other than text books: As library
is the of activities s student can use t tor education. information.
recreation, inspiration etc. Preachers should give Such assignments and
projects to students that Greet them towards Horary and thus increasing the
usefulness of library. A student can use it for Preparatory work. parallel
reading and follow up work
4. To select good
books: The main aim of library is to select and acquire books and other reading
material according to curriculum, interest. demands, level and requirements of
actual and potential users. Librarian and teachers play an important role in
selection of books. The selection of books must censure collection according to
the requirements of the reader. Book:. should be selected impartially and
without biases. No favoritism is to be shown on any special hobbies or opinions
in the selection of books.
5. To encourage
lifelong education: The Libraries provide information, inculcate ideas and
develops knowledge that is so essential to functioning successfully in today’s information
and knowledge based society. Libraries promote literacy and disseminate useful
information to the people and encourage lifelong learning. It is fundamental
for libraries to equip students with lifelong learning skills through its
reading materials and resources and develop in them creative thinking and imagination
and enabling them to live as ideal and responsible citizens.
6. To develop
self-learning skills of students: Library develops independent reading habits
of the students, improves the quality of teaching, makes the students acquainted
with different library materials like dictionary, encyclopedia, catalogue cards
etc. It also trains the students to a life-long self learning skill trough
utilization of . library resources in any situation. It helps the students to
be a good citizen, which ultimately supports towards national development.
7. To help teachers to
improve their teaching expertise: Books in the library are purchased for the
teachers also. The teachers require further reading to keep their knowledge up
to date. They also require many other items for support of teaching which are
generally maintained in the library. to create lifelong education in them and thirst
for acquiring new knowledge.
8. To create proper
atmosphere: There should be peaceful atmosphere in the library for reading and
studying. It should be well-ventilated. clean and with perfectly calm
environment. Students should maintain strict discipline. so that others are not
disturbed. The atmosphere in a library should be peaceful and -scholarly.
9. To break the
monotony and to -fresh the students: Students need a break from .he rigid class
projects which a fixed timetable often creates. This break can be in he form of
a library period. This will help in break the monotony of continuous classes.
10. To provide healthy
material for recreational and entertainment purpose: Students and teachers like
to read not only for their curriculum but also for their pleasure and
recreation. The to fire. the aim of library is to provide good books tor
entertainment Drapes also. Libraries contain fiction, nonfiction. biographies
and Popular magazines for recreational needs of the users.
11. To enable students
to know the rules and regulations of library: Each Library should have a set of
rules to be followed and observed by its members. Students arc made aware of
rules and regulations of library so that they can use library properly and derive
full benefits. The rules should be presented in such a way that they can be
understood by students and do not daunt them from using the library.
12. To classify and
catalogue the books: To cater to the wide varieties of demands of students and
teachers it has to judiciously select and procure books and other reading
material from different sources, technically process it by making use of a
standard scheme of classification, catalogue it to provide various access
points, circulate the documents and disseminate the information in the manner
most liked by the students and teachers.
13. To add new books:
The books in library should be added from time to time. Whenever there is a change
in curriculum or increase in student’s strength, news books should be added to
satisfy user’s needs. The list of newly purchased books should be displayed on
the notice board with-the heading “list of new arrivals” to make users aware of
the new books.
13.4 MANAGING SCHOOL LIBRARY
Planning: It is the
first and foremost function of management, i.e. to decide beforehand what is to
be done in future. It requires wide knowledge, foresight, experience and sound
judgment. It means where we are and where we want to go. It prepares short term
and long term plan to attain goals. It encompasses formulating policies,
establishing targets, scheduling actions and so forth. While preparing the
plans type of users, their need and level should kept in view. " ,;
Organizing: Once the plans are formulated, the
next is to organize the activities and resources, as in identic flying the
tasks, classifying them, assigning duties to subordinates and allocating the
resources: ! put plans into action and allocation of duties to the members of
staff for attainment of the objectives of the Libran: All the activities f the Libra?
are to be identified
and then divided into manageable groups and sub groups. The authority is
delegated to subordinates and the responsibility for performance is fixed.
Directing: It involves
issuing instructions to the subordinates, guiding, motivating and supervising
them to ensure that they work in the right direction, so far as the objectives
of the organization are concerned.
Staffing: It means
finding the personnel requirements at different levels and hiring personnel for
carrying out various activities of the organization. It is to ensure that the right
person is appointed to the right job. Staffing includes recruitment, training,
promotion, transfer, demotion or termination.
Controlling: This
function deals with the steps taken to ensure that the performance of the persons
confirm to the plans and objectives of the library. It involves establishing
performance standards and comparing them with the actual performance. On the
basis of defects revealed by the process of control, management can reveal its
future plans and take necessary steps for its correction.
Coordinating: Coordination
is an important feature of management which means the integration of the
activities, processes and operations of the organization and synchronization of
efforts, to ensure that every element of the organization contributes to its
success. Without proper coordination, it is difficult to manage the affairs of
the library. So there must be proper coordination among various units working
in the library.
Reporting: Reporting
is a mirror for library services. The librarian keeps the library committee or
library authority informed through reporting on various activities, services,
achievements and problems of the library.
Budgeting : All the
resources which are used by the team are valuable to the organization, and
therefore the team 1s accountable to higher authorities regarding the use of
resources which is informed to them by the hearer. Budgeting is the step
followed by the manager
to perform all budget
related processes in the form of planning, accounting and control. It includes fiscal
planning. accounting and control. No organization can function properly without
adequate finances. Librarian has to convince the authorities about the
usefulness of the services rendered by libraries. This can be done by
statistical data only so the librarian should maintain proper statistic of
income and expenditure of his library
13.4.1 Use of school
library
Education and
libraries go hand libraries create and provide flexible learning space and
environment libraries are essential to support teaching and learning process it
can serve every human being from a child to an aged person, from the research
scholars to semi-literate person it can take very active part in literacy it is
a place where every human being can equal treatment irrespective of social
cultural or educational status.
1.
Huge
collection of books : The collection of library include books manuscripts
magazines periodicals video audios, DVDs and various other formats wide range
of books are stored in a library to well organized in book shelves it is not
possible for an individual to have such a wide collection of books at home one
can get access to diverse genres of books and other resources in library.
2.
Library
and cultural Activities : A library contains books that preserve the cultural
heritage of a society it should possess and lend books that would develop
create talents of individuals should also organize cultural programmers to
cater to public needs.
3.
Costly
books : Libraries purchased costly books like reference collections i.e.
encyclopedias, competitive books
etc. it is not easy for individual to
buy expensive books it shuns the need to by expensive books and resources if
there were no libraries many costly due to financial difficulties.
4.
Libraries
and formal education : Every educational institution be it a school college or
university must have a library attached to it must have a collection of books
relevant to its courses of study and the students must be encouraged to read
the books it is through extensive reading of number of books in a subject that
the student acquires in depth knowledge and becomes able to analyses and
compare different viewpoints as expressed in different books. This helps to
develop his/her own view point and capacity for analytical and critical
thinking hence the need of libraries in intellectual development of students
can never be denied.
5.
Libraries
preserve history : Libraries which house centuries of learning in formation
history and truth are important defenders in the fight against information. By
providing free access to educational, news. and historical resources, libraries
help to keep the public informed with facts.
6. Library and
Informal Education In informal educate on due to absence of teachers, t 1e
library plays a major role. The students must acquire knowledge by self study.
They may use the libraries attached to the formal institutions. The public
library system plays a major role in supporting informal education
7. Availability of
rare books: There is separate section of rare books in each library. Lib ary
preserves rare books like manuscripts that are not easily available out ide.
These are very he pful for
researchers. They car
refer and read these books in Libra. Library also preserves old syllabus, old
questions papers, annual reports etc. that are referred by teachers an —
students.
8. Library and Recreation:
Libraries contain 10vels. Books of travels and popular magazines for meeting g
the rational needs of the users. Reading habit 1m craves the imaginative skies
and enhances the vocabulary. A library also organizes programmes like art
competition, music competition habits among students.
9. Use of Literature
and general books Libraries provide general bocks which are helpful for the
students for their extra knowledge. These boo ‘s help students to update their
knowledge and develop reading habits among students.
10. Library a1 d
Ideological and Spiritual Upliftment: Each library possesses some books that
fulfill religious a 1d ideological needs of the users of eminent persons and
classics inculcate high values and deals in the users.
13.5 GUIDING STUDENTS TO USE LIBRARY AS A RESOURCE
FOR REFERENCE
A library is an ocean
of knowledge. Ore can get as much 1s he likes or needs to obtain. Libraries
make a difference to students’ under standing and achievement and provide
support to teaching and learning. Reading only text books is net enough for
students A student can increase his knowledge of various subject by reading in
the library during his spare time.
Following are the
arguments which can be advanced for the importance of a library:
1.
Libraries
are a means of increasing knowledge and disseminating information ; Libraries can dissent the presented in
different forms of journals, books, audio visual Systems etc. These books and
other documents are very voluminous and also costly. It provides materials that
will enrich and support the curriculum taking in consideration the different
interests, abilities of the pupils and also increase in the knowledge of the
students.
2. Libraries help in
developing the study habits: Library is the best and main means of developing
the habit of studies a none the students. The students do not get as much
chance of silent studies in the classroom as they get in the library. It
develops the habit of silent studies and the students start taking interest in
self-studies,
3. Libraries develop the
personality of the students: Libraries besides developing mental and
intellectual aspects of the students also develop their personality. The
students who start studying in the libraries. there goes a continuous increase
in their knowledge and on the basis of this knowledge, they become successful
in having rational conversation with others and have an impact on others with their
power of thinking and reflection.
4. Library develops
literacy, artistic and aesthetic tastes: Library is a place in which literary
and artistic materials, such as books, periodicals, newspapers, pamphlets,
prints, records, and tapes are kept for reading, reference, or lending. It
helps students in developing literacy, artistic and aesthetic circle of life.
5. Library also
Prepare students for competitive exams: Libraries provide books for various
competitive exams. To prepare the students for different professions and
occupations and to develop their skills. it produces self-learning materials,
competitive exam books etc. Students perform better when they have easy access
to books on competition.
6. Library motivates
for learning and thinking: The students study silently in the library which
encourages self study and try to understand after studying whatever they learn
and think over It. This develops their disposition of thinking. They try to
find out the
7. Library preserves
our cultural heritage : Culture is closely related to social life A library
contains books that preserve the cultural heritage of a society it is passed
form generation to generation either through personal contacts or through
recorded knowledge the students come to know of their own culture and
civilizations as well as those of other countries.
8. Library is a source
of pleasure: Books are man’s best friends. They give him company equally in
times of happiness as well as in times of distress, They are one of the main
sources of knowledge. The best place for easy access to books is a library.
Library subscribes different magazines, newspapers, journals; students can read
these papers in the library.
9. It helps in
research: A library plays a vital role in research work. It disseminates
existing knowledge and information and also newly generated information through
various journals, research reports and other similar types of publications.
Library provide us rare books, journals and these kinds of books are of great
value to scholars as well as to teachers who are doing research.
10. Libraries update
our knowledge: One can update one’s knowledge by reading regularly in a library.
It is through extensive ‘adding of number of books in a subject that the
student acquires in knowledge and becomes able to analyse and compare different
viewpoints as expressed in different books. This helps to develop his/ her own
view point and capacity for analytical and critical thinking.
11. Library supplements
classroom teaching: There are many other related things that are not fully
elucidated in the textbooks. Therefore, in order to get sufficient and broad
knowledge users have to depend on libraries. Sometimes a teacher suggests
studying other books related to the subject.
12. Library develops
habit of reading: One of the most important tasks of the Library is to inculcate
reading habits among the young generation. Books are the mute entities; their
application does not come automatically. It always requires some human agency
that can induce the value of books among the students. This human agencyis
Librarian or Teachers. To achieve this, there must be close coordination
between classroom teaching and use of Library resources.
13. Library helps in
co-curricular activities: It becomes necessary for the students to fall back
upon library books as much knowledge related to co-curricular activities is not
found in the textbooks. The material for debates. declamation contests,
poetical recitation, dramas and quiz is available from various books that are
available in the library.
At Libraries are Helpful
for News Archives: Libraries continue to subscribe to and stock a vast list of
newspapers, academic journals, and trade publications, and archive the back
tissues. This of rat
may seem humbug
alongside the lengthy lists aid instantaneous access to articles published
within the minute.
15. Library is source
of religious information: Each Larry possesses some books that fulfil religious
and ideological needs of the users. Biographies of eminent persons and
classic> inculcate he’s values and ideals to the users.
16 Libraries are best
means of proper use of time: Modern age 1s tale age of science. By making many
inventions and discoveries. science has made our life easier and more
comfortable. The work that took days to finish, can be done in hours now and
“he work which could be finished in hours, now takes o1 y a few minutes. This
is the reason that a man has enough leisure time.
13.6 CRITICAL REVIEW OF CURRENT LIBRARY
PRACTICE
Many suggestions and
recommendations regarding the development of school libraries we e made by the
Secondary Education Commission formed in 1952 but these suggestions and recommendations
were only on paper as they were not considered for implementation That is why
the condition of school libraries in India is very bad. The school library is
not t seed at all for the development of school education except for handful of
public schools or central schools the condition of the library is very poor.
1.
Absence of
good condition of library building : one of the major problems of primary
schools in india the lack of proper library facilities in schools schools do
not have their own separate library building books are kept looked in cupboards
in a category or in walls in the verandas outside which are looked in this way
students are unaware of the existence of the library.
2.
Absence of
library period : Even if library building is constructed in schools it is
important no separate library period is provided for students to use the
library emphasis is placed on formal education of students so much that they do
not even have time to go to the library.
3.
Faulted
book selection policy: No attention is paid to book selection in school library
the library collection is full of unnecessary heavy and old books the
collective is not updated according to the needs of the children In addition
the school library does not order reference books dictionaries encyclopedias magazines
journals and newspapers students have no idea about this collection of
information.
4.
Lack of
finance and budget : Poor financial
condition of school library is also a big problem. Adequate funding is required
for library maintenance. Government school libraries rely entirely on government
funding. No separate funds are provided for the library and the funds received
are spent on other activities of the school, no attention is paid to the
development of the library.
5. Lack of Human Power.
Another major problem of the school library is the lack of manpower in the
school library. The library must be fully staffed for proper operation of the
library. The tragedy of Indian primary schools is that the schools do not
usually have separate librarians, the support staff is a long way off, but the
management of the library is given to a teacher or clerk who has some of the management
of the library. No information. They see library work as an extra burden and
have no interest in it.
6. Close Access System:
Close access system has been adopted in Indian schools for the security of
books. Primary school students are younger. They can tear up books, pick them
up and take them home so books are locked in cupboards in schools. But the disadvantage
is that the students do not get any benefit from the books locked in the
cupboards, they cannot use the books properly. The book is provided by the
library staff only on demand which takes a lot of time as the school students
do not have that much time. So they gradually get out of the library because
they can’t get the book they want at the right time.
7. Lack of Book
Arrangement: Due to lack of library stalls in Indian primary schools, books are
not properly arranged in the library. Books are not labeled and placed on
shelves by any standard scheme (action number, size, author, title or (subject
to order). Books are scattered here and there on the shelves. In many
libraries, books are not even accessed. As a result, there is no record of lost
books, and books are not regularly distributed to children.
8. Lack of Maintenance
of Books Reading Material: First of all, there is no library building in Indian
primary schools. It is not properly maintained. Books have been lying in one
place for years, causing dust to accumulate on the books and students are
reluctant to touch such books.
9 Lack of cooperation
between school teachers and brains: Students cannot take fall advantage of the
library duce to lack of cooperation between librarian and teachers. This
requires the cooperation of teachers and
librarians. But librarians are not respected by teachers in ordinary schools,
When the teachers themselves do not respect the librarian then the student's
librarian is known only by Itch. As a result, librarians cannot motivate
students towards books.
10. Absence of Library
Publicity: No effort is made by librarians and teachers in primary schools to
promote the library. They do not give any lecture in the classroom about the
need and importance of library. Students do not develop any interest in library
and books due to which students do not know the importance of library in higher
education nor do they know how to use the library collection properly which causes
them a lot of difficulties.
11. School managers and
teachers are not aware of the importance of the school library: They do not
take any positive attitude towards the school library due to which even the
students remain unaware of tile importance and use of the library. The emphasis
in schools is on curriculum and outcomes because students are not interested in
reading books other than the curriculum.
Today there are
millions of schools in India, of which only a few (public schools, central
schools or Navodaya schools) have libraries. Their collection is also excellent
and staff has been appointed in the library. From the above discussion it can
be said that the condition of school libraries in India is not very good. Such
libraries cannot contribute to the mental and intellectual development of the
students.
13.7 METHODS OF DEVELOPMENT OF SCHOOL LIBRARIES
1. There is a need to
improve the condition of school libraries in India so that they contribute to
the development of an understanding of intellectual, cultural, ethical,
spiritual, social and democratic values in their readers and in the
multifaceted development of their personality.
2. Libraries should be
established in all schools and their collections should be organized. This work
should only be done by professional staff. Schools that have libraries need to
be reorganized.
3. The development of
libraries should be given maximum attention by the government, school
management, principals and teachers. A library should be established in every
primary school and a qualified librarian should be appointed for its proper
organization.
4. A separate library
building should be set up in the school so that students can sit and read in
the library.
5. The library
building should be decorated with interesting reading materials and illustrations.
Young children are more attracted to the things that interest them.
6. The school should
have a library period.
7. Efforts should be
made to increase library finances so that innovation so that new books can be
obtained.
8. The library
collection should be according to the needs of the students.
9. An open access
system should be provided in the school library, So that students can get
acquainted with the library collection.
10. Avoid heavy and bulky books in school
library. Because school students ignore them because of their weight and size
11. The school library
environment should be conducive to | reading. The co-operative and serene
atmosphere attracts students to sit in the library and read.
12. Students should be
introduced to the rules of the library
13. Students should be
made aware of the need and importance of books by teachers and librarians. For
this book exhibitions can also be arranged.
Under these
suggestions, the school library can be improved and its services can be
enhanced. By making the library an integral part of school education, it can be
made a center of intellectual and cultural education, so that the qualities of
good citizens can be inculcated in the students.
EXERCISE
1. What is a library?
Determine its place in education.
2. Give some
suggestions on how to organize your library.
3. What methods can be
used to manage a school library? Give details
4. Write down your
slug zest ions and plans for using the library at school.
5. Flow use the hairy
as a source for teaching? Explain.
6 Present vertical
studs of the functioning of mobile libraries.
