NCF-2005:

1
NCF-2005

• LIBRARIES

2

• School libraries have been a subject of policy
  recommendations for a long time, but a
  functioning library in the school continues to be
  a rarity. It is important that future planning
  treats the library as an essential component of
  the school at all levels.

3
Both children and teachers need to be motivated
and trained to use the library as resource for
learning, pleasure and concentration. The school
library should be conceptualized as an
intellectual space where teachers, students and
members of the committee can expect to find the
means to deepen their knowledge and imagination.
4
A system of cataloguing books and magazines and
other materials available in the library needs to
be developed so that children can become
self-reliant library users. Apart from books and
magazines, a school library should provide access
to the new information technology to enable
children and teachers to connect with the wider
world.
5
In the day-to-day life of a school, the library
can serve many different kinds of purposes.
Restricting the use of library to one period a
week, seldom allows children to cultivate a taste
for reading. Facilities are to be provided to
allow children to borrow books. Training of
teachers in library management and use is
required to meet the demands of this situation.
6
Where the size of the school building permits a
separate room for the library, it is important to
pay attention to creating a positive ethos in
this space by providing good seating and lighting
arrangements. It should even be possible for a
teacher to conduct a class in the library by
drawing upon its resources. It could always serve
as a place for discussions, watching a craftsman
from the community giving a demonstration, or
listening to a story-teller. Creating resource
libraries to support teachers will complement and
strengthen curriculum renewal.
7

• 
  HIGHLIGHTS
• One period a week is to be allotted to library
  reading. During this time children sit and read
  silently. They return the books borrowed the
  previous week and borrow new ones.
• If there is no library room, the teacher can
  bring out books appropriate to the age- group and
  allow children to choose from the set. It is
  important to let the child choose rather than
  having the teacher distribute the books.
• Library books can be brought into the language
  class.
• For class projects, children can be asked to look
  up a reference in the library.
• Children can be asked to write about the book
  they have read that week.
• Children can be asked to share a story they have
  read with the other children in class
• The school library can be kept open during
  vacations.