Govt. School Libraries
The Varitra Foundation’s flagship initiative, the Build a Library project, is dedicated to establishing safe and engaging reading environments within schools. This program aims to foster a love for reading among students by providing access to a rich collection of books. Each Varitra Library is equipped with approximately 500 to 600 carefully selected books from various publishers, encompassing a wide range of themes and reading levels. This diverse collection is designed to cater to the unique interests and preferences of each child, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to discover literature that resonates with them.
Over the past six years, the Varitra Foundation has successfully set up and managed libraries in 42 government schools, firmly integrating weekly library periods into the timetables of its partner schools. This initiative seeks not only to enhance literacy but also to promote a culture of reading among students.
The program is rooted in a well-defined conceptual framework and implementation model, encompassing multiple phases and a variety of activities aimed at achieving specific inputs and outcomes. Varitra holds a strong belief that every child has a distinct personality, which necessitates a variety of books tailored to their individual reading preferences. Additionally, the foundation emphasizes the importance of exposing students to literature that addresses their rights and various social themes, promoting awareness and understanding from an early age.
Each Varitra library is designed to be comprehensive, featuring around 500 bilingual books in both Hindi and English, which include storybooks, informative texts, poetry collections, children’s magazines, wall posters, and display materials. The libraries are furnished with two 4×4 book racks and two 4×4 pin boards, along with floor mats to create a cozy reading space.
To foster student engagement and ownership, Varitra establishes Library Management Committees (LMCs) in every partner school. These committees are formed through the training of a selected group of students who take the lead in organizing library-related activities during reading sessions and other events. The primary objective of the LMC is to cultivate a student-led environment that nurtures leadership skills. Typically, each LMC consists of 8 to 12 students, depending on the size and needs of the school.
In addition to library management, Varitra has designed a comprehensive reading and behavioral change program aimed at activating these libraries and enhancing the development of critical reading, language, and life skills among children. This initiative works towards building students’ interests in reading, as well as enhancing their listening, speaking, and comprehension abilities through engaging sessions conducted by trained library educators. The library activities are creatively designed using various Teaching and Learning Materials (TLMs), puppets, and other relevant resources to support the cultivation of 21st-century skills, including critical thinking, decision-making, and self-awareness.
Key activities incorporated into this program include:-
1. Creation of personalized library cards for each student, promoting a sense of ownership.
2. Training sessions for selected students to effectively manage the Library Management Committees.
3. Encouragement of students in borrowing and returning books, as well as searching for titles within the library.
4. Interactive sessions focusing on story reading, story writing, and storytelling to spark creativity and imagination.
5. Conducting life skill sessions and activities within the library context to promote behavioral change and personal growth.
Through these initiatives, the Varitra Foundation is not only promoting literacy but also empowering students to become enthusiastic readers and informed individuals.
181,
Sec 4,
Karnal,
Haryana – 132001
Library Contact: Baljeet Yadav
Contact Email: varitrafoundation@gmail.com
| Library Staff Members | 5 |
| Library Member Strength | 840 |
| Gender Breakdown of Members | Female: 55% Male: 45% |
| Age Groups Served | 5yrs to 14yrs |
| Library Branches | 14 |
| Villages/Clusters Served | 14 villages |
| Book Collection Size | 7000 |
| Type of Books in Collection | Picture books, Story books, Pop-up books, Adult Knowledge books, Multilingual books, etc. |
| Average Daily Footfalls | 150 |
| Types of Reading Programs | Read Aloud, Storytelling, Book Talks, Early Learning/Foundational Literacy |
| Other Library Programs | Short film screenings, Art & craft sessions, etc. |
| Presence of Various Library Policies (enrollment/admission, safety, anti-discrimination & inclusion guidelines etc) | Yes, 1. Child safety 2. Anti-discrimination policy |