Village Libraries
The Need
A privilege that the city children often take for granted, is still a distant dream for the children in Rural area in India. A library with books that the interested students actually desire to have, is still rare in many villages.
Unfortunately, many schools in these areas are ill equipped to have a library filled with good and relevant books. Many can’t even afford to provide enough text books for their curriculum. We feel, the students in rural India too deserve to have access to the best books on all subjects. That’s the least we can do to provide an equal opportunity for them to create a brighter future for themselves.
Our endeavor is to support the Goal 4 (SDG-4) of Sustainable Development Goals, focused on global education development agenda aiming “to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” by the year 2030. There is a remarkable lack of opportunities available to the children and youth in the rural areas, especially in the area of world class education and learning opportunities. This further puts them at a disadvantage in competitiveness in the professional arena. We are working to bridge this gap by proving the rural population access to learning support, good books, and inculcating reading habit.
Furthermore, The National Education Policy 2020, declares the importance of and emphasis on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (Pt. 2 of the NEP 2020). It lays the importance of creating school readiness among children entering grade 1. Few of the other emphasis being, developing mathematical abilities, problem solving skills, linguistics, and scientific thinking, considered imperative to overall development of students from preparatory classes to higher education levels.
Specifically, Pt. 2.8 of the National Literacy Policy 2020, states the significance of “enjoyable and inspirational books for students of all levels”. It also emphasizes on the importance of libraries, installing and promoting reading habits, especially at the village level. Even the National Book Promotion Policy signifies the need for initiatives to “ensure the availability, accessibility, quality, and readership of books across geographies, languages, levels, and genres”.
To say the least our effort is to sync our effort with the National Education Policy and in fact it is an inspiration for us to start this work.
References: National Education Policy 2020, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India.
In a Nutshell
Most schools in rural India cannot afford even text books prescribed for curriculum
Majority of rural students do not have access to reference books and libraries
Physical and digital libraries are imperative to help rural student upskill themselves and have competitive parity.
Even the school teachers in rural India need upskilling on teaching tools and methodologies to help their students become better learners.
Our Commitment & Engagement
We consider education as the most empowering tool which can help rural communities progress and sustain the progress. Our ‘Village Library Program’ aims to set up libraries in rural areas to help the schools and their students, not only have a well stocked library but also get trained to run it successfully for years to come.
We have plans to setup micro libraries and reading rooms in villages for students. We also plan to organize workshops and lectures for teachers teaching in local schools introducing them to new teaching tools and methods, in collaboration with the local village panchayats and communities.
We are also committed to support the rural students get digital literacy and have better access to digital education. For this, we intend to support and set up computer centers and certification programs for students in basic computer skills and Hindi typography as well.
Our radars are also pointed towards enabling better education opportunities for girl students, who often miss out on the opportunities to complete even middle school education due to societal norms and lack of facilities nearby.
Our first library was recently launched in Kamai Village in Barsana, Mathura on 5th September 2022. This is the library for senior students and youth who are preparing for competitive exams and further studies.
Our Initiatives
Infrastructure
From a wasted space to a fully furnished library we create a library that the students love to call their own. For our very first library at kamai village for senior students we got the interior and exterior repair work done, installed the shelves and shed, got the flooring done inside the room and the issue window.
Books & Magazines
Library without books is no library. We have purchased and put the initial stock of first hand books in the library. We asked the student a list of books they need to help them with studies and preparing for competitions. We had most of those books provided to them. The students will periodically provide the list of the books and we will continue providing the same.
Library Administration Training
We believe in empowering. To ensure this we engaged a seasoned library administration professional to train the local personnel in day-to-day running of the library. From the process of recording, codifying, indexing, accession and issue of books to membership, we are equipping the local staff to handle all aspects of running the library successfully in a self reliant and professional manner.
Engagement For Learning & Growth
The inherent purpose of a library is to encourage and equip a person to expand their learning. We regularly create engagement with students to encourage reading habits in them and also to enhance their language and expression skills. Weather it is an essay competition or a seminar/ talk , or cultural event, a book reading club or computers, we are engaging students in meaningful and purposeful activities to enhance wholesome growth.
Initiatives In Action
Media Acknowledgement
Care to support our initiatives?
Join us in making an effort to change the world. One village at a time.
The response to our first library for senior students has been overwhelming. Even the junior and middle school students are also desirous of having a library for them. It is encouraging that the students are enthusiastic about getting access to books and libraries. We obviously require funds to set up libraries for the junior/middle school students and also in various other villages, to take the initiative to greater benefits.
Should you wish you contribute to our initiative, you may do so by:
- Donating the desired amount (we have the 80G tax exemption certificate, which shall allow the donors an exemption in tax under section 80G)
- Donation in kind of the required books, computers and magazines (we are happy to have you mentioned as the sponsor on the items you donate)
- Sponsor a new library for the other section of students – junior and middle school students or for another village
All we desire is that the village students should be provided with the best support possible so that they can get access to the latest and world class education enabling them to lead a good life for themselves and their families. While, at the same time raising the standard of national talent & skill level.
Do reach us on the mentioned email id to share your suggestions & desire to contribute to the initiative.
Thanks.