by Sophiya Bhabor for BIS Mumbai

Don Bosco Academy, Alirajpur, has redesigned the school library this year in an effort to better meet the educational needs of both our staff and students. The end result is a vibrant area that fosters a love for reading and learning. The innovation of our library represents a new chapter in our school's commitment to educational excellence. We are excited to introduce several initiatives aimed at enriching our students’ reading and personal development.

Around 2000 new books, both in English and Hindi have been added, all of which have been carefully chosen to meet the varied interests and scholastic requirements of our students. These comprise extensive encyclopedias, engrossing narratives, perceptive financial works, motivational autobiographies, engrossing novels, and a variety of religious books. Whether they are studying history, discovering various cultures, or just losing themselves in fiction, this collection guarantees that they will find something that speaks to them. The background music in the library helps the reader unwind and deep dive in the reservoir of books. Exciting activities and prizes like Ted Talk concept, half story narration, and top-rated reviews are in the pipeline to keep the students tuned and motivated to visit the library regularly. 

The new barcode scanner system has made the process of issuing, tracking and locating the books much easier and faster. Around 950 books have already been issued to the students. Students after reading the books have started penning down their reflections and resolutions. Children are encouraged to leave reviews for the books they read, which fosters a sense of ownership and involvement with the library. The school teachers have committed to spending 1 hour every Saturday in the library to educate themselves.

The school’s corridor library under the title of the “Mall Library” is a dynamic space designed to engage students interact with the books of different genres. With well-stocked almirahs filled with books in every corner, students have a treasure trove of knowledge at their fingertips, inviting exploration and discovery. 

Throughout the corridor, several plaques have been put up highlighting important topics such as developing emotional intelligence and creating financial empire, must-read for boys and girls etc. to help students engage with available robust systems in every field. This informative display of books aims to spark curiosity and inspire students to read and reflect on great personalities who have shared their life’s journeys through their writings. 

To summarize, the library's makeover is more than just an upgrade; it reflects the belief in the power of information and the significance of providing our students with the best resources available. As we continue to expand and innovate, we are devoted to gifting every child the skill to read and speed read, instilling in our students a passion for learning that will last long beyond their school years. 

A special word of thanks to the Principal of the school Fr. Charlin, for putting in a lot of efforts for establishing such a beautiful and wonderful place in our school. Also thanks to  Mrs. Shabnam Pathan along with Ms. Fatema Burhani and Ms. Bharti Prajapati in conceptualizing and designing the entire library. Special thanks also to Ms. Sunidhi Joshi and Fatma Shaikh in making the Dewey system come alive at Don Bosco Academy, Alirajpur.