Inculcating good reading habits in students

Almost all educational institutions have an in-house library. As opposed to a public or private library, the libraries of educational institutions are comparatively smaller in size and have books specific to the subjects taught in the institution.

Library is seen as an integral part of an institution as it contains books, publications and journals, which foster a deep inbuilt desire in students to do extra reading and research on the topics discussed in the class. Apart from satiating pedagogical perceptions and perspectives for academic prowess, a library in an educational institution also meets the creative needs of students.

Teachers also make use of the library as a knowledge base. It has been found that the teachers who frequent libraries  have been more effective in classroom deliverance. However, of late, there is a decline in the number of students who frequent the library.  
Out of favour?

A survey conducted recently underlined the fact that students of today would prefer buying gifts like chocolates, toys or jewellery over books. They would rather spend hours at shopping malls and commercial centres than in a library. Moreover, a few book lovers seen today are unfortunately, many a time doing it with jaundiced reasons, like judging the physical book by criteria like the cover design, the size of the book or its sensation quotient. Fewer students are going by the quality of the book in terms of its content.

With the digital invasion, many modern students are giving library books a short shrift while they flaunt their online tutors and check their smartphones for quick updates. Before it is too late, students should discern the disadvantages of imbibing knowledge through sources that search engines provide.

Students no longer have to spend hours in a library or go the extra mile to gain knowledge browsing through books in a library. Instead, it is easier for them to browse the Internet, which provides many of the information at the click of a button!

Although one cannot dismiss, belittle or discourage usage of the Internet, especially for research projects, it is nevertheless imperative that students do not lose the touch and lure of reading physical books altogether. It is also true that most libraries, now due to the pressure of ‘keeping up with the Joneses’, have incorporated a digital library wing.

Though such a development has been envisaged and was foreseen by many thinkers, it is not seen favourably by those who aver that printed books should still be a ‘person’s very best friend’.

Here are a few efforts that one can do to keep the spirit of libraries alive:

Physical books in a school library should be arranged and sorted out in an attractive and aesthetic way. The books borrowed most often (in both fiction and non-fiction categories) can be singled out and their front and back covers can be photocopied and put up on the library’s notice board along with a well-written  summary. Information can be given about the author, publisher along with reviews of the book. 

To encourage reading of books, schools can consider starting a Reading Club, where the members are divided into groups. Here, each group can be responsible for reading one particular classic. Each group will focus on one book every month, with each club member handling one specific aspect or component of the book. For example, one person can be in charge of the storyline, another can be in charge of the main characters etc. The club members can meet once a week, and at the end of the month, there can be an event to showcase what each group has done for the benefit of other groups.

These activities will encourage and nurture good reading habits and indeed infuse critical thinking faculties among students. Reading books is an activity that has far-reaching benefits.

(The author works at Cambridge School Library, Bengaluru )