What are NEP 2020 expectations for Librarians?
When NEP 2020 was released, I expressed my views from a librarian’s perspective on the Impact of NEP 2020 on Teacher Librarians (India)
After that, I am considering how we can take this forward and how librarians can be NEP-ready to support and build all forms of literacies for students to become meta-literate.
What does NEP 2020 say for Libraries:
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is a policy document released by the Government of India that outlines the vision and goals for the education sector in India. It covers many topics, including early childhood care and education, school education, higher education, and vocational education. The NEP 2020 has several provisions that relate to librarians and library management.
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Use of Technology
One of the key expectations of the NEP 2020 for librarians is to promote technology in library management and make libraries more accessible to users. This includes using digital platforms and tools to manage library collections and services and provide users with access to a wide range of electronic resources.
2. Use of Open Education Resources.
Librarians are also expected to play a key role in promoting the use of open educational resources (OERs) and other free, high-quality resources available online.
3. Ethical Use of Information
Librarians to support Information and Media Literacy
The NEP 2020 also emphasizes the importance of librarians as information literacy educators. It encourages them to collaborate with teachers and other educators to teach students how to access, evaluate, and use information effectively. Librarians are expected to play a key role in helping students develop the skills they need to be responsible digital citizens and use information technology safely and ethically.
4. Best Practices
Finally, the NEP 2020 expects librarians to be proactive and adaptable and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in the library and information science field. This may involve continuing education, professional development opportunities, and staying informed about new technologies and best practices in library management.
NEP 01:
Enjoyable and inspirational books for students at all levels will be developed, including through high-quality translation (technology assisted as needed) in all local and Indian languages, and will be made available extensively in both school and local public libraries.
Recommendations:
Librarians believe that they work hard to ensure they curate the best collection of books, print and digital, based on the budgets offered to them. But the question arises what can we librarians do to raise the bar of enjoyment and inspiration? How can we make our read – aloud of picture books lead to critical thinking? How can we build motivation through stories? How can we engage students and use higher-order thinking questions & discussions with our students? How can we engage in collaborative teaching and learning? How can we use visible thinking routines to develop open-minded thinking and a spirit of empathy? Liferarian Association is coming up with different workshops under the label – Are you a NEP-ready Librarian? Please fill out this form if you are interested in joining the coursework for building Literacy
NEP 02
Public and school libraries will be significantly expanded to build a culture of reading across the country.
Recommendations:
- Make sure the library is well-stocked with various books that reflect the interests and diversity of the school community. This can include fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, magazines, and more.
- Create a welcoming and comfortable space for students to read and study. This might include comfortable seating, plenty of natural light, and quiet areas for individual or small group work.
- Encourage students to visit the library regularly by offering regular programs and activities, such as book clubs, writing workshops, or author visits.
- Partner with teachers to integrate the library and its resources into the classroom. For example, the librarian could work with teachers to create reading lists or suggest books that tie into the curriculum.
- Promote the library and resources to the entire school community through newsletters, social media, and other communication channels.
- Make it easy for students to access books and other materials by offering flexible borrowing policies, online resources, and other convenient options.
NEP 03
Digital libraries will also be established. School libraries will be set up – particularly in villages – to serve the community during non-school hours, and book clubs may meet in public/school libraries to further facilitate and promote widespread reading.
Recommendations:
- Host book clubs for different age groups or interest areas, such as a mystery book club or a graphic novel book club.
- Offer a summer reading program with incentives for students who read a certain number of books over the break.
- Partner with local bookstores or libraries to host author events or book fairs.
- Host a “reading marathon” where students, staff, and community members take turns reading aloud from a favorite book or series.
- Create a “reading buddy” program where older students are paired with younger students to read together and discuss books.
- Invite community members, such as local writers or business owners, to come and speak about their careers and the role reading has played in their success.
- Host a “reading challenge” where students can earn prizes for reading a certain number of books in a given time period.
- Offer a book swap program where students can bring in books they have already read and trade them for new ones.
- Set up a “reading corner” in a high-traffic area of the school, such as the main office or cafeteria, with comfy chairs and a selection of books for students to browse and borrow.
NEP 04
A National Book Promotion Policy will be formulated, and extensive initiatives will be undertaken to ensure the availability, accessibility, quality, and readership of books across geographies, languages, levels, and genres.
Recommendations:
To meet the NEP 04, it is important to revise the library policy to include the following:
- Increase budget for libraries
- Introduce a virtual library website (not google slides)
- Automatize the library collection using OPAC
- Provide access to the catalog online in the library and outside
- Curate a collection of print books and ebooks to reinforce 21st-century skills
- Open access to resources to ensure the availability of resources
- Provide a variety of books in different languages
- Provide different genres for all age groups of the school community
- Invite volunteers
- Yearly professional development to be provided for Librarians (50 hours as recommended by CBSE)
I look forward to your comments or interested in joining the Are you a NEP Ready Librarian Coursework, please email me at librarymatters6@gmail.com, or you may fill out this form. (For more details, check out course 04)
Customized workshops are available for NEP Ready School Librarians email: ceo@liferarian.com or coachingliferarian@gmail.com
Assisted by Ai