Written by Geetanjali Mehra, LEC 2021
A Library Educator, a word which seems to be so complete in itself. A word that brings together the responsibilities and knowledge of both, a librarian and an educator. Hence, the person plays an important and critical role in opening the collection, engaging children, and making them feel safe and special.
This word was so new to me, until then I was always adorned with the spectacles of a teacher but my sight was clear after I got the lens and sense of a librarian and could dream of myself as a teacher-librarian and a proud library educator. LEC has been one such journey that proved to be a ride and encouraged me for reading, to be a part of a vibrant library, to be a teacher-librarian, a library educator that changed the complete scenario from being just a teacher.
It is an expedition to explore, to walk through the lanes of stories, experience a reading adventure, and understand that being a library educator is a big responsibility. Let’s take a lyrical visit through my journey.
3rd October is a date to remember,
When I didn’t know the space I was going to enter
and finally registered myself into St Joseph Vaz retreat center.
Surrounded by greens and away from city’s hustle and bustle
But why I was there was still a puzzle.
A teacher coming to attend the Library Educator’s course
All emotions contradicting with huge force
4th October, day 1, we were welcomed by Sujata Noronha and the LEC team
The emotions now shifted from confusion to a bit of gleam.
The participants were comforted for emotions to a level
A ‘Twist’ dance, in the beginning, made us all settle
Lightning of the lamp brought light to the room and spirits
All were set to start after being given ‘stitching kits’
Stitching kits…. why???? For a library educator’s course
The very first question that arose
But there was a reason for everything that was taking place
But the LEC team was so confident, had calmness always on the face
Readers trying their hand at needles and threads
The colors rolling out on ‘bookworms’ lying on bag beds
LEC team and their patience was a part of the content they wished to deliver
And I was all set to absorb it, as a receiver
Then came in hand, a big compendium
Cheeks rolled out for a few, and eyes turned for some
A compendium works as a constitution for library educators
It includes the readings which guide the factors
The factors such as, all elements of the library,
The thickness of the book, in the beginning, was a bit scary
Unit one, two, then three and four
The sessions were assigned for all the days so that all get an equal score
Assemblies, book talks and read aloud, quiet reading times, and then activities
Each day passing by, was settling my conscience and I was coming to peace
LEC hence has been an experience that brings to light the importance of libraries and librarians. The four walls, even with the best of infrastructure and with the best of the collection of books, cannot be called a library unless it has the human element in association with it.
The one who has a connection to the four walls, to the infrastructure, to the collection, the one who has the ownership to the spirit of the library. That is the most important element of a library….. The library educator.
The term “Library Educators” brings a sense of confidence to the person in charge of any library. Their role is indispensable in society, as their vision lightens the dark shades of any individual who belongs to the society at large.
The values of their vision are borne in the minds of the readers with every step they take towards their role as library educators. It is so important that the librarians recognize the power of their own self and their work.
These insights made me think that while being just a teacher/educator,
“Are we justifying our tasks?”, “Are we able to reach out to each and every emotion of a child, so as to contribute to the development of lifelong learners?”
I remember the paper that I read during my LEC journey’s first contact “Brown Girl Dreaming” written by Jacqueline Woodson. It gave me the insight and power to question the assessment strategies of any teacher who has been deciding the fate of grades for children with her increasing number of years of experience. How we as teachers ignore the child’s overall reading and understanding patterns and keep assessments and grades as the only criterion to know the development of a child.
Another very important aspect of my learning as a part of my LEC journey, without which I would fail in sharing my experiences deeply, is my encounter with reading, perceiving, connecting, and taking to children – A RISKY STORY.
A risky story- truly is a term that I came across after my association in LEC. Believe me, we have been dealing with such stories every day in the form of innocent questions on our history, our religions, our socio-political arenas, our gender or gender choices, and many others wherein we have no answer to children’s questions but very artistically we ignore/ just turn them down and that too so conveniently.
Children cannot be grown in the shadow of real life. We should allow them to read the stories they like, ask questions they encounter, and enjoy the real pleasure of their lives by understanding them better. But if we cannot guide our children to answers or at least on the path where they can find their own answers then “ARE WE EDUCATORS”? or “ARE WE JUST INFORMATION GIVERS?
But then in the absence of the so-called frontline educators, we find there is someone – who is the most silent facilitator, guiding through books, dealing with pedagogy, clearing the child’s vision, preparing him/ her to search for their answers and who works behind the scene—Yes, I am talking about the library educator. An unnoticed visionary for any organization.
It is so important that the librarians recognize their charisma and magic and strongly prove themselves as educationists and not just librarians. LEC is one such opportunity that helps participants to believe in themselves, think differently, and work in every possible way for the children. I can assure, LEC is one such journey that shapes and guides educators who are there for the children, for the society at large, and always there standing tall with their VISION.
