CREATION PROCESS
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IDENTIFY COMMUNITY
Ideally, the community should have school children (aged 6-17) and a non-profit organization or corporation should already have a presence/work in the community. Communities we have identified in the past include slums, rural villages, government schools and orphanages. Above is the image of St. Chrispin’s Home, an orphanage to 300 children and a government school to an additional 400 children.
IDENTIFY LOCATION WITHIN COMMUNITY
The best locations are small rooms, a part of a larger room, or an abandoned shed. The locations should be large enough to fit 10 students comfortably, 2 cupboards, and a table and chair. Above is a picture of a part of a very large room in St. Chrispin’s Home.
RENOVATE & FURNISH
Above is a picture of the St. Chrispin’s Home library under ‘renovation.’ This library required minimum work; some paint to liven up the space, book shelves, a desk and chair for the librarian and a computer.
SOURCE BOOKS AND LIBRARY STATIONARY
Arguably the most critical step of the set-up process if sourcing the books for the library. Books are ordered based on the needs and preference of the community. Library stationary (including library cards and a register) are also sourced. Above is an image of some of the books at the Scholastic Head Office in Pune.
Above is an image of the ‘Kitab Korner’ library book pockets and cards we use to help organize the library.
IDENTIFY AND TRAIN STAFF (LIBRARIANS & TEACHER)
The librarians are typically the older girls in the community and the teacher is typically a volunteer from the non-profit organization or corporation already working in the community. The librarians are in charge of cataloguing the books and checking out the books, and the teacher is responsible for conducting bi-weekly activity sessions centered on reading. The library staff if trained during two comprehensive workshops. Above is an image of the library staff at St. Chrispin’s Home being trained to use the Kitab Korner created computer program. This program allows the librarians to register and check out books offline.
COVER & CATALOGUE BOOKS
Once the staff is trained, the next step is to physically have the librarians cover and catalogue the books. Above is an image of the librarians at St. Chrispin’s Home covering the books.
INAUGURATE
In a matter of two weeks, the library is up and running. Above are before and after pictures of the St. Chrispin’s Home Kitab Korner library center.
