Library at school
“Everything you need for a better future and success has already been written. And guess what? All you have to do is go to the library” Henri Frederic Amiel
Many schools have libraries that can be accessed by students and teachers anytime during the day. They can consist of books, a reading lounge, and computers with internet access. Libraries encourage problem-solving, curiosity, and innovation. A school library represents a central point for all kinds of reading, provides access to information, deep thinking, and lively discussion. In my community, schools do not have libraries. In my community, schools do not have libraries. Having libraries at a school provides the community with the following advantages:
Not every student has access to a computer. Computers can be educational while doing a project. In my community, students are not doing projects in a word processor and at a young age they do not know how to use it. This project will help them learn not only how to use it, but also learn how to write all kinds of projects (book reports, essays etc.).
School libraries are a place that every school member can learn and think. They provide a quiet place to do their homework which is better than a noisy home. In addition, having access to books help students develop their reading skills. On the other hand, teachers will also have a place where they will make their research and they will be able to interact with other teachers/researchers.
Students will learn to value the books and appreciate the ability to have access to all the books and computers. They will also learn to borrow and donate books.
In a nutshell, this project will help the community to understand the importance of books and to empower the student’s reading and research skills.
Background
It has been recorded in the United States of America that the use of the library in School has many advantages for the students.
Problems
The schools in my community don’t have libraries. The problems are the following: Students don’t have a quiet place to do their homework. They don’t know how to use a word processor and do projects. Moreover, the students don’t have access to literature books and scientific sources.
Objectives
A school library to represent a central point for all kinds of reading, and to provide access to information, deep thinking, and lively discussion.
Process
The tool that will accelerate the donation process will be a website. The purpose of the website will be to receive books as donations (input) and to allocate the books to the school libraries in my community (output) based on their needs and preferences. To facilitate the process the website will have a domain where the school's needs will be listed so the donators will have knowledge of the requirement placed by schools. Also, another domain will include all the books donated by the community in order for the schools to be able to choose the books to well establish their library.
Moreover, today more and more schools have started to develop makerspaces in their schools and beginning to appreciate maker education. Some examples of makerspaces are crafting, 3D printing, robotics design etc. Libraries provide materials for learning, access to printers, and other resources, while makerspaces provide the space and tools in order to apply the knowledge. Having makerspaces and a library in one place is beneficial for both the students and the faculty. One of the most developed library and makerspace is The Fab Foundation
Having said that, in order for the school to demonstrate the positive outcome of the community’s founding and for the students to expose their knowledge, before the winter holidays there will be a tour in the library and a workshop where the students will present their group project “Our Solar System”.
To accomplish the project, the students will go through several steps. Initially, they will have to set the goals of the project scheduling a group meeting using the library’s conference facilities (round table, projector etc), and preparing a road path. An important step will be deep research on the different sides of the project using the printed, visual, and virtual information resources. Accumulating the results of the research and upon discussion, the students will use the 3D printer to create an accurate illustration of the Solar System.
The operation of the website will be supported financially by the following:
- Advertisement to the local community
- Support by the municipality and the local companies
- Organize events to activate people.
Results
- Computer and internet access
- Supporting literacy and reading
- Libraries as a community
Conclusion
This project will help the community to understand the importance of books and to empower the student’s reading and research skills. Finally, they will learn to value and respect books.
References
Weishgrau, J, (2015) School Libraries and Makerspaces: Can they coexist? https://www.edutopia.org/blog/school-libraries-makerspaces-coexist-josh-weisgrau
Fab Foundation (2021, The Fab Foundation, https://fabfoundation.org/getting-started/
Hussein, A, (2013) Determinants of library use, collections and services among the students of engineering: A case study of King Saud University https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Purpose-of-visit-to-the-library_fig3_244988529
