How to create a reader-friendly school environment. Some thoughts in the context of KV libraries.

1. READER
FRIENDLY
SCHOOL
THOUGHTS ON MAKI NG A
S. L. FAISAL
Regional Principals' Conference
KVS, Kolkata Region
August 11, 2022

2. 02
Presentation Plan
Making a Reader Friendly School
The Library that we have.
What's out there?
Llibrary Environments
What our Libraries are missing?
Physical Library Space
Online Library Space
PRESENT, NOT PERFECT
CREATING A READER FRIENDLY LIBRARY
BEST PRACTICES

3. The Library
that we have.
Dark.
Closed shelves.
Rigid Furniture.
Congested.
Unattractive.
No free space.
Less welcoming.
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4. What's out
there?
Light.
Spaces.
Open.
Flexible furniture.
Attractive.
Welcoming.
10

5. O
P
Library Environments
PHYSICAL
Everything physical. Infrastructure,
Resources, Organization. Staff.
ONLINE
Online; Digital; Mobile. Web-Tools.
Services. Social Media.
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6. What our libraries are missing?
Location
Not accessible to all. Not
in Groud Floor. Not visible.
Design & Layout
Classroom converted.
Conference room style.
Furniture
No flexible seating, Open
shelving. Customization.
Air. Light. Cleaning.
Closed. Ventillation.
Lighting. No dusting.
Organization
Resources. Labelling.
Way-guides. Promotion.
Library staff
Supportive. Encouraging.
Warm.Inviting.
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Physical Environment

7. Creating a Reader-friendly physical space
LOCATION
How easy it is to find
your library?
AIR. LIGHT.
Spacious and light.
Cross ventillation
SIGNS. NOTICES.
Colourful. Directional.
attractive. Positive.
SEATING. FURNTURE.
Comfortable, flexible for
different-sized students.
.
SHELVING
Open. face-out displays.
Theme/Genre-wise. Height.
DISPLAYS
Thematic.Interactive.At
tractive. Ppromotion.
.
SOCIAL SPACES
For collaboration and
quietness. Activities.
LIBRARY STAFF
Encouraging. Supporting.
Positive. Open.

8. P V S M
PORTAL
Library
Blog/website.
Online Catalogue.
Feedback. Events.
Linked to
School website.
VIRTUAL LIBRARY
24X7 Support.
Curated
collections of
digital resources.
Ebooks,
Multimedia.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Sharing.
Publishing.
Connections.
Reaching out.
Engage. Instant
feedback.
MOBILE
Mobile interface.
Apps. Catalogue
search.
Personalized
services. Ask the
Librarian.
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Creating a Reader-friendly Online space

9. Best Practices
IDEAS TO EXPLORE
06

10. Little Open Library
To share one’s favourite books with the
community.
An open, free and voluntary community
book exchange initiative. Anyone may
take a book from the Little Open Library
(LoLib), but she or he has to leave a book in
return, which may be taken by someone
else.
Take a Book & Leave a Book
KV PATTOM
Details: https://tinyurl.com/y532s547

11. Face a Book Challenge
Summer Reading Challenge
To promote reading and to develop information &
digital literacy skills by engaging students in
activity based challenges during summer vacation.
Tasks: Write a detailed review, prepare a scrap book
(My Little Book), record a one minute Book Talk video
and present an item based on the selected book in
the school assembly. Evaluation and appreciation.
KV PATTOM
Website: https://faceabookinfo.wordpress.com

12. E-Publishing
To provide an online platform to
students to publish and share their
creative contributions.
An online bulletin board tool, Padlet was
used to publish student's creative
contributions (poems, stories, articles, etc).
Widely shared among students and
parents.
Share with the world
K V KADUTHURUTHY
Details: https://padlet.com/sreekku2017/av8uibbozdy87x1s

13. Library Points
Rewarding the Readers
A system of rewarding the readers for their
library use and behavior, based on the idea
of customer loyalty programmes.
Components: An automated system to add
Library Points, Interface for students to see
Library Points, QR Code Technology, Self-
Circulation System, Video Tutorials, Presentations
and Posters for creating awareness.
KV KANJIKODE
Details: https://tinyurl.com/mr44cdnv/

14. Interactive e-books
and e-magazines
To provide a digital interactive
e-reading experience.
Digital interactive e-books and magazines with
contents in multiple formats (text, images,
audio, video and hyperlinks) are created with
Book Creator. The readers can interact with the
content by instantaniously posting their
feedback as comments.
Read, interact and share.
Links to Books:
https://tinyurl.com/3w67kpjm
https://tinyurl.com/2p9c4n79
2017

15. Gift a Book & Get a Friend
A social responsibility initiative
Creating a long-term relationship by forging
friendships through the mutual love for books.
Supporting less privilaged schools to build their
library. Sensitising students to social realities
beyond the school walls.
7 Schools, 2500+ children, 4000+ books,
To connect students with the society
through books and reading. Nurturing
values.
KVPATTOM
Details: https://librarysocialconnect.wordpress.com

16. Let's be Cyber Smart
To create awareness about digital literacy
and cyber safety among the students.
Students are trained on digital literacy, cyber
safety and use of various online educational
platforms. Top performing students were
selected as Cyber Ambassadors for the
school to spread cyber security awareness
among their peers.
.
Stay safe online
KV KANJIKKODE
Details: http://letsbecybersmart.blogspot.com/

17. E-Reading Hub
Promoting e-reading
More than 3000 Open Source E-Books
(classics, out of print and rare) are provided
through Kindle e-readers in the library.
Attracts students who prefer devices for
reading, who gradually transform into
readers of physical books.
To develop reading habit among
device-savvy students.
KVPATTOM
Details: https://tinyurl.com/yckumb2y

18. Honesty Library
To develop the spirit of honesty and
sharing.
A student can borrow a book from the
Honesty Library Box at his/her will or by
leaving another book in it, without following
any rules of a formal ibrary. They can take
books for class room reading (during free
periods) or for home reading. Students
donates books to the HL on birth/special days.
Read and return. No formal rules.
KV PERINGOME
Details: https://tinyurl.com/2fsam2fx

19. Library Games
Gamification & FLN
The platform was created to provide a
safe space for learning and
entertainment through gamification.
It also has games for Foundational
Literacy and Numeracy for Class 1
students.
To familiarise students with popular
books and authors through gaming.
KV KANJIKODE
Details: http://digitallibrary.kvklibrary.in/games/

20. Virtual Library X-perience
To face the challenges of Emergency
Remote Teaching (ERT) environment
developed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A number of free web tools were used.
Library Blog with WordPress
Virtual Library with Wakelet
Digital Library on Epic4schools
Library on smartphone with Linktree
Stories & Ebooks
ReadWorks (Reading comprehension instruction)
Interactive E-books, Knowledge Weekly
Virtual Book reviews, Notes, discussions with Padlet
Read. Access. Write.
2017

21. Virtual Library X-perience
To engage students virtually and connect
with them remotely, using web/social
media tools.
Web Tools
Google Classroom
Quiz Assignments with Quizizz & Kahoot
Flipgrid debates, Discussions
Goodreads Book Club
Online competitions, Events, Campaigns
YouTube Channel & Live streaming,
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
Webinars, Virtual Book Fairs.
Engage. Express. Connect.
2017

22. Virtual Library X-perience
To keep the students stress free and
provide them a platform to express and
reflect.
Web Tools
Audio Library on SoundCloud
Karaoke with Flipgrid
Storytellers on SoundCloud
Library on smartphone with Linktree
Sunday short films
E-magazine/E-Books with Book Creator & Canva
Self publishing, Visual storytelling
Library Games
Listen. Watch. Relax.
2017

23. "Students who collaborate and participate in
building spaces, both physical and virtual, are
likely to be more comfortable living in them."
Joyce Valenza
Rutgers University School of Communication and Information

24. 02
Reference
https://natlib.govt.nz/schools/reading-engagement/libraries-supporting-
readers/reader-friendly-environments

25. Thank you!
S. L. FAISAL
www.slfaisal.com
slfaizal@gmail.com
Mob: 9447699724
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Questions?