Category: Off the Library Shelves

Library, the favourite room

Revathi Radhakrishnan, Madhan Mithra, and P Gayathri
What makes a library more than just a place for books? At Vanavil School, the library is a space of freedom, choice, and inspiration for children and teachers. Revathi, Mithra, and Gayatri write about the magic behind the library’s transformation and why it has become the most beloved room on campus.

Read More »

The library as a space for art exploration

Sanika Dhakephalkar
Art should be about freedom, not copying. Sanika writes about how visual arts programs in libraries can unlock children’s creativity by letting them experiment with different media, explore their surroundings, and tell stories without words. From making scroll books to drawing from observation, she writes how the library can become a space for curiosity, expression, and connection.

Read More »

Children and the library – a fresh future

Sujata Noronha
Sujata Noronha writes that biological, sociological, and cultural views shape our approach like age-based book categories or even global differences in school starting ages. Understanding aspects like these can lead to more effective and inclusive library practices for children.

Read More »

A journey of surprises

Poornima N
A teacher talks about a journey that not only reshaped her perception of books and libraries but also encouraged her to engage with age-groups she had not previously dealt with and else.

Read More »

From a quiet to an active space

Madhuri Anand
Silent libraries are slowing fading away and their place is being taken up by new-age libraries that are active learning spaces. See how a library educator transformed the library in her school by including games in the library to promote reading.

Read More »

Complicating the Library

Sujata Noronha
The word library stands for quiet contemplation, serene environs and ideas in texts that belong to the romantic period of literature. Why does it, even today, not conjure up a space of noisy reverberations, play, pondering, disquiet, provocations, and tension?

Read More »

Library, children, reading, and art

Jennifer Thomas
Is there a connection between reading and art? Can one benefit from the other? See how this library educator enhanced her students’ reading experience by getting them to engage with art.

Read More »

Critical literacy on the shelves

Darpana Baria
This month we look at critical literacy. The article raises a series of questions. Do we see stories of those lesser privileged than us only from our lens? Do we question the stories enough? Do we question the adversity in a story and whether we as citizens have played a role in the existence of the adversity?

Read More »

Nurturing readers through reading aloud

Pooja Sagar
A library in today’s time is less about a physical space and more about the librarian’s connect with children and with her ability to connect children with books. It is about the librarian’s reflecting on her actions, being flexible, about her helping children connect books to their real-life experiences and a lot more.

Read More »

The library as playground

Alia Sinha
Adults and play? Imagine a group of adults indulging in silly games. A funny sight indeed. But play helps you loosen up, awaken your senses, and opens you up for fresh new possibilities — all qualities that are necessary when you teach and learn.

Read More »