Utility of School Library for English Learning

    

 We all know that School libraries are the heart of the education system and are essential component of education. They play a key role in nurturing knowledge and wisdom. It also improves the quality of education. It is an intellectual space, where teachers, children and members of the community can expect to find the means to deepen their knowledge and imagination. It, to a great extend, builds their character and identity.

But before we proceed further, let’s look what is library itself. Library is a collection of books and other informational materials made available to people for reading, study, or reference. The word library comes from liber, the Latin word for “book.” However, library collections have almost always contained a variety of materials. Contemporary libraries maintain collections that include not only printed materials such as manuscripts, books, newspapers, and magazines, but also art reproductions, films, sound and video recordings, maps, photographs, CD-ROMs, computer software, online databases, and other media. In addition to maintaining collections within library buildings, modern libraries often feature telecommunications links that provide users with access to information at remote sites.

Having penned what Library is, we now proceed to consider the way in which its study may be most profitably pursued. In order to fully comprehend any English Literature or Language Learning, and to place it in its true position among its sphere of Knowledge , not only must the given text be studied with due care, but we must pay regard to its outward "environment" and to the circumstances of the times in which the topic lived. We better learn trees instead of the fruits only. Unless the students have not asked themselves a certain number of questions and answered them satisfactorily the pupils cannot be sure of thoroughly understanding the learning model. Such Questions and Answers are fully entertained by Library.

 Libraries at the high school level (Class V to Class XII) differ in several ways from those serving the lower grades. Because classes at the high school level require students to conduct more research, high school libraries usually have larger and more advanced collections than do libraries in the lower grades. The best-equipped high school libraries feature computer labs, professional reference resources for teachers, conference and group study areas, and classrooms within the library. Most high school libraries also include separate areas devoted to college or vocational preparation. These areas typically contain information on individual schools, examples of schools applications, vocational aptitude tests, and other materials designed to provide guidance for completing high school students. Acknowledging thus the importance of school libraries, schools have to take an initiative to bring the school library in its proper functions. First of all it has to be evaluated in terms of the trends, patterns and services.  And finally we can discuss about the implementation these following guidelines for betterment of its functionality in the fields of English Literature or Language Learning:  

1. We have to enlist different literary books for multifarious reading because mere text book studies will not be sufficient. So we should try to enlarge the catalogue and it is to be updated regularly. Libraries must issue supplements to list new items that the library has acquired. Few modern libraries continue to publish book catalogs and the school should collect them for better utility. The teachers’ purpose throughout has to be twofold. Firstly, it can be sought to provide able students with definite facts and with help towards a personal appreciation of the texts they read. Our other intention has to be to interest and in some degree to satisfy those ''general readers" who have little or no knowledge of literature.
2. It can also be decided to weekly opening of library even during vacations.
3. The team work of parents, teachers and the librarian can be chalked out where it can be decided to supply books to the parents.  Being Anxious to learn their feedback, we rather implement an environment of studies. However, a minimum cost will be levied from them. The participation of guardians from different social strata on a single platform would empower the school libraries as well.
4. Computer connectivity or internet if still is unavailable at the school and digital library can not be accessed there, the students should remain active through other media such as television and radio.  They should find interesting literary topics which will be integrated in their studies..
5. I think all of my respected readers know the sardar poro (monitorial system) of study. It can be implemented in the Library section too. Elder students should recommend books for their junior students and sometimes they play the part of deputy for them.
6. Library books rating can be another initiative. By this rating system we can measure up the taste and tendency of our young readers.

 

            To provide quality education at schools library is a great support to attract children towards school and literature studies. The rural schools though lack some facilities; teachers’ utmost zeal and beloved pupil’s limitless pursuit will bring down the wall of hurdles, I hope. 

Ardhendu De