Basic Level Training for Capacity Development of Library Assistants in Schools/Colleges

Basic Level Training for Capacity Development of Library Assistants in Schools/Colleges

“Investing in Library Personnel to Support High Standard of Learning”

Introduction

The professionalization of the services of library professionals/personnel can play a critical and paramount role in the nation’s efforts to build a knowledge-based society. Supporting the development of professional efficiencies and competencies of library professionals could contribute towards creating libraries in schools/colleges as a learning hub that draws the interest and motivation of the young children and adults to engage themselves meaningfully and to pursue learning as a lifelong endeavour. Enhancing the professional capacity, knowledge and skills of librarians especially working in the school system would also add to the systemic approach of addressing the educational issues we are encountering in our education system.

Despite the paramount role library professionals can potentially play in building a knowledge-based society or institutions,the majority of the school libraries in the country are served by library assistants with either Class X or XII – education qualification without any prior formal training to work in the libraries. These library staff need basic training in key areas of library knowledge and skills such as identification of relevant library resources, techniques of processing library materials, digital cataloguing of online information sources, locating and sharing information related to teaching and learning, designing and delivering effective information literacy programmes – providing help to students and teachers in their teaching-learning process, and development of basic library operation policies and procedures.

Therefore,thisBasic Level Training for Capacity Development of Library Assistants in Schools/Colleges is a needs-based professional development training programme developed with a deliberate attempt to fill these professional gaps and enhance the professional services of library staff so that they acquire the basic knowledge and skills of not just managing the library resources but also take initiatives to transform the physical ambiance of the libraries into a knowledge and learning hub.

General Aim of the training programme

The broad purpose of the programme is to develop and enhance knowledge and skills of the school library assistants to enable them to develop and manage library resources to support school education, personal development and lifelong learning skills of the school children. The programme is structured around essential elements of library services and skills pertinent to the current needs and emerging ICT-based school education system and library services in the country. The programme also aims to provide and enhance practical skills of library assistants for their professional improvement and personal development through application of knowledge and skills gained from the training.

Specific Learning outcomes of the Programme

Upon successful completion of the training, the participants will be able to:

• identify and procure appropriate library and information materials based on currency, authority, accuracy and relevancy to the school curriculum;
• use varying methods of handling and processing both print-based – and digital information resources;
• classify library resources effectively by applying Dewey Decimal Classification system and online classification tools;
• perform basic level of descriptive and subject cataloguing using AACR2 and SEARS list of Subject Headings;
• create an appealing library atmosphere to encourage the use of library;
• search and retrieve authentic and current information from multiple sources by applying information search strategies;
• develop an effective library policies and procedures;
• maintain dynamic and relevant library resources  for educational and recreational needs of the school children;
• conduct information literacy and user education for teachers and students to support in their teaching-learning process;
• promote reading and provide resources and services.

Target Participants

This training programme is specially designed to address the needs of library assistants working in the schools, colleges of RUB and other relevant government agencies and institutions, who have not availed any training programme and require basic training for effective management of library services.

Outline of the Training Programme

PD Programme in Library Classification and Cataloguing for School Library Assistants:Daily Sessions Overview

Number of participants:  25 participants

Duration of workshop:   10 days (4 sessions per day)

Cost per person: Nu.20,000/- (Nu.2000 per day inclusive of working lunch and refreshments, stationery, training reading materials, etc.)

 Profile of the facilitators