SCIENCE LIBRARY AND ITS ORGANISATION AND MAINTENANCE
Science Library is an essential part of the equipment. Pupils must read extra books other than text books for gaining general knowledge. The library books supplement what has been taught in the class. The books must be such as to provoke thinking and discussion, to develop interest in matters of science, to stimulate further reading, to help to articulate and elucidate scientific concepts and problems, to suggest further problems and to give insight into social implications and contributions of science.
There must be books on various branches of science, on invention and discoveries, biographies, on hobbies, reference books and books on methods. The books must be accurate and authoritative. It is the reading habit developed in the school that enables them to understand and appreciate scientific articles appearing in magazines and news papers. Without an adequate library, modem methods like Dalton plan, project method, supervised study and others will become almost impossible. The science library should be attached to the science department.
Science teacher should select for the library suitable books covering a wide range of topics. There may be a collection of say, 5000 books both for the use of teachers and pupils. The books may be dealing with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Nature study, General science.
i) Place of Science Library in a modern school
As the famous maxim goes - "A true university of these days is a collection of books". library forms the heart of the educational institution. It is a place where those, eager to learn, dig deep into inexhaustible mines of knowledge. It is a fountain of inspiration and a source of perpetual self education. It is a place where wisdom of ages is accumulated and the culture of the world is contained.
'Library literally means a store - house or collection of books kept in charge of a clerk or any senior teacher of a high school staff. By cultivating the habits of reading books in a well equipped library, the children can be made to increase the real sense of the term.
Library today is also regarded as one of the instruments of making learning more effective. Modern progressive methods of teaching can only be implemented with the help of good libraries. The Secondary Education Commission has accordingly made recommendations for the establishment and organization of the most effective library service in every secondary school in India. It clearly mentioned "proper use of a well equipped school library is absolutely essential for the efficient working of every educational institution and for encouraging literary and cultural interests in students, even class libraries and subject libraries should be encouraged."
Importance of Libraries
As is said, "Reading maketh a full man", the importance of books is quite evident. Not only are they the vital forces of acquiring knowledge but they also act as great friends and companions in times of need. We get pleasure, peace, consolation, strength, courage, ready advice and knowledge from books. Great mines may exhaust, cities may perish and kingdoms may be swept away-even man may weep at his mortal destruction, but the eternal body of thought that lies hidden in the shape of a book will exist for all times. Good books to the young mind are like the warm sun and refreshing rains to the seeds. As our aim today is not only to educate the child formally, but also to make him useful and good citizen of the state, libraries are essential. They will improve his mental faculties, inspire his spiritual qualities and thus build and develop the whole personality of the child.
ii) Organisation
1. A separate science library under the charge of science teacher should be an integral part of the science department, occasionally, during a lesson, the teacher can refer to certain library books.
2. For the proper organisation, the science teacher should look to money and accommodation available. For this purpose money can also be utilised out of science grant or science fund of the school, otherwise a part of the amalgamated fund can be set aside for this purpose.
3. One almirah with shelves or small room should be provided.
4. Active measures are essential for encouraging love for reading, pupils should be required tir to write a brief review of the books read by them. Good reviews prepared by the pupils should find a place in the school magazine.
5. A cross - reference index may be maintained in which teachers and pupils should briefly indicate the information furnished in the books read by them under suitable headings.
6. The library should be divided into various sections as suggested below
(i) Text Books
Organic Chemistry - I. L Finar
Science Library is an essential part of the equipment. Pupils must read extra books other than text books for gaining general knowledge. The library books supplement what has been taught in the class. The books must be such as to provoke thinking and discussion, to develop interest in matters of science, to stimulate further reading, to help to articulate and elucidate scientific concepts and problems, to suggest further problems and to give insight into social implications and contributions of science.
There must be books on various branches of science, on invention and discoveries, biographies, on hobbies, reference books and books on methods. The books must be accurate and authoritative. It is the reading habit developed in the school that enables them to understand and appreciate scientific articles appearing in magazines and news papers. Without an adequate library, modem methods like Dalton plan, project method, supervised study and others will become almost impossible. The science library should be attached to the science department.
Science teacher should select for the library suitable books covering a wide range of topics. There may be a collection of say, 5000 books both for the use of teachers and pupils. The books may be dealing with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Nature study, General science.
i) Place of Science Library in a modern school
As the famous maxim goes - "A true university of these days is a collection of books". library forms the heart of the educational institution. It is a place where those, eager to learn, dig deep into inexhaustible mines of knowledge. It is a fountain of inspiration and a source of perpetual self education. It is a place where wisdom of ages is accumulated and the culture of the world is contained.
'Library literally means a store - house or collection of books kept in charge of a clerk or any senior teacher of a high school staff. By cultivating the habits of reading books in a well equipped library, the children can be made to increase the real sense of the term.
Library today is also regarded as one of the instruments of making learning more effective. Modern progressive methods of teaching can only be implemented with the help of good libraries. The Secondary Education Commission has accordingly made recommendations for the establishment and organization of the most effective library service in every secondary school in India. It clearly mentioned "proper use of a well equipped school library is absolutely essential for the efficient working of every educational institution and for encouraging literary and cultural interests in students, even class libraries and subject libraries should be encouraged."
Importance of Libraries
As is said, "Reading maketh a full man", the importance of books is quite evident. Not only are they the vital forces of acquiring knowledge but they also act as great friends and companions in times of need. We get pleasure, peace, consolation, strength, courage, ready advice and knowledge from books. Great mines may exhaust, cities may perish and kingdoms may be swept away-even man may weep at his mortal destruction, but the eternal body of thought that lies hidden in the shape of a book will exist for all times. Good books to the young mind are like the warm sun and refreshing rains to the seeds. As our aim today is not only to educate the child formally, but also to make him useful and good citizen of the state, libraries are essential. They will improve his mental faculties, inspire his spiritual qualities and thus build and develop the whole personality of the child.
ii) Organisation
1. A separate science library under the charge of science teacher should be an integral part of the science department, occasionally, during a lesson, the teacher can refer to certain library books.
2. For the proper organisation, the science teacher should look to money and accommodation available. For this purpose money can also be utilised out of science grant or science fund of the school, otherwise a part of the amalgamated fund can be set aside for this purpose.
3. One almirah with shelves or small room should be provided.
4. Active measures are essential for encouraging love for reading, pupils should be required tir to write a brief review of the books read by them. Good reviews prepared by the pupils should find a place in the school magazine.
5. A cross - reference index may be maintained in which teachers and pupils should briefly indicate the information furnished in the books read by them under suitable headings.
6. The library should be divided into various sections as suggested below
(i) Text Books
Organic Chemistry - I. L Finar
(ii)Inspirational Books
• Wonders of Electricity
• Marvels of Chemistry
• Romance of Physics
(iii) Background Books
• The Story of Man
• The Story of Pencillin
• The Story of Earth
• The Story of Moon
(iv) Reference Books
• Dictionary of Science
• Encyclopedia of Science
• History of Science
• Tables of Constants
(v)Experimental Books
• A book of Experiments
• Chemistry of Experiments at home
(vi)'Popular Science' Books
• Popular Mechanics
• Popular Chemistry
(vii) Teacher's Books
• Teaching of Science
• The Scientific Method
• Science and Life.
• UNESCO Source Book for Science Teaching
(viii) Science magazines
Science Today, Science Reporter, Vijnana Kairali, Sasthrakeralam, Sasthragathy, Sasthrapadam
Yojana, Scientific America, Eureka, Electronics for you.
7. A notice board may be made use of to suggest suitable reference and reading material and to put up advertisement of new books and magazines.
Advantages
1. The slow reader with a little instruction and guidance learns to seek out books
On his own level
2. A classroom library also provides one of the least expensive and most flexible services for talented children.
3. It enables gifted students to explore new fields as rapidly as their capacity permits
4. Reading is indeed a pleasurable and worth while experience
Location
1. The science library should
generally be located in a corner of the classroom or in the
laboratory part of the room
2. It is more advantageous to have a library in each science rooms rather than to have facilities concentrated in one room
iii) Furnishing a classroom library
1. Sizable and attractive book shelves should be provided for the books
2. Open shelves invite learners to browse but a closed shelves give more protection to books.
3. While planning the shelf space, thought should be given to future space requirements.
4. Inclined shelving is especially advantageous for the display of magazines and pamphlets
5. Filing cabinets may be provided for the storage of pamphlets not in display.
6. A special bulletin board for the library area can be used to display pertinent clippings, small pamphlets, circulars, jackets of new acquired books.
7. A colourful bulletin board attracts pupils to the reading area.
8. The classroom library should have at least one table and seven or eight chairs.
9. If there is table space for six or more pupils, reading center can be used for committee work
10. Provide Internet facility in the library
11. A photostat machine should be there for students to take copies of materials.
iv) Selecting and procuring Science reading materials
1. Select recent books.
2. Select a diversified collection of books.
3. Select books with a wide range of reading levels.
4. Books should be selected to meet the instincts of youth, e.g. hero worship,
adventure and collecting instruct.
5. Select some science books for vocational guidance
6. Select some science reference books.
7. Select some occasional science book for its literacy style.
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