CAIRN Libraries
Background
In the Western world, school libraries for taken for granted.
However, in rural Nepal, where children’s books and education are still considered luxury items, school libraries are a rarity. The few books that are available are often locked away for safe keeping or inappropriate for school age children.
Teachers lack the expertise and resources to teach and establish libraries. As a result, students’ sole method of learning is dictation or chalkboard notes, with often inaccurate notes being written down.
Libraries can open doors to the joys of reading and the wonder of learning beyond the classroom.
What is The CAIRN Trust doing?
The CAIRN Trust is increasing children’s access to and usage of books by constructing, equipping and supporting libraries as an essential element of rural educational development.
The libraries provide students with a variety of different experiences:
- The first opportunity to touch a book.
- The key to learning to read.
- The gateway to increased knowledge of their world and beyond.
- The resources required in a quiet reading environment within the schools where students can study for success in the School Leaving Certificate.
The libraries will also be an area for teachers to nurture their own intellectual curiosity.
We are working in partnership with rural communities who will commit to the libraries either through donation of school rooms, provision of labour to construct the libraries, librarian salaries or resource funding.
The libraries are equipped with age and grade appropriate Nepali and English language books, including atlases, dictionaries, reference books, fiction and non-fiction and early readers.
It is a child friendly environment where students are inspired to read, as well as having access to puzzles, magazines, posters and other fun educational materials.
Key to the success of the libraries is the training and development of the librarians on how to maximise use of the library and maintain the facilities.
This training covers a period of up to three years and includes establishing a monitoring system for the libraries and methods for encouraging teachers and pupils to use the library and its resources
The CAIRN Trust has implemented seven libraries and equipped them with over 7,000 Nepali and English books and trained 16 librarian staff.
Future Plans
The CAIRN Trust aims to implement five libraries each year of varying shapes and sizes into all its existing schools and into all new schools.
