Written by Vishwanath Pai Bhatikar
Bookworm is not just a name but a sentiment that echoes amidst all those that believe in the power of reading books. Its vision is to foster a love for reading in children, provide opportunities for those who do not easily have access to books, create tools that help them understand written words, and recognise the importance of literacy.
Reading acts as a gateway to new realities, expanding our thinking beyond social and cultural limits. The Bookworm Libraries in Schools (LiS) programme fosters a love for reading among students from grades one to seven through interactive storytelling.
Supported by the State Council of Educational Research and Training Goa (SCERT) and the Cipla Foundation, this programme is transforming literacy in small primary schools across Goa by working with 100 schools through different interventions. By providing age-appropriate books and incorporating storytelling, Read Aloud sessions, book talks, and book-related activities, the programme fosters academic improvement, language development, and creativity. Beyond book distribution, the initiative introduces engaging library games and crafts to ensure that reading remains a continuous and exciting experience for the students. This progress is driven by the dedication of teachers and our collective effort to promote the joy of reading.
The Independent Schools initiative is a new intervention initiated in FY 2024-25. This was a pilot last year in which two schools were selected; these schools were independent and had run programs on their own. This pilot worked very well, and based on the learning from it, we felt that more schools can be included as independent schools to empower teachers & school’s. Right now the LiS team is working with 60 schools where libraries are managed independently by the teachers. These schools have been part of Bookworm’s LiS interventions for more than two years, during which teachers observed school sessions as well as attended workshops conducted by the team. They have now been selected to run the library on their own.
These schools have received fresh collections of books, carefully selected by the team through visits to bookstores in Mumbai, online purchases, Bookworm’s burrow collection, and from various publishing houses. Each school has received a unique collection of 80% Indian publishers’ books and 20% foreign publishers’ books. The team has also designed activities for most of the books distributed, serving as a menu for teachers to try out different unique activities related to each book.
Additionally, the team maintains constant contact with teachers through mentoring calls and virtual sessions, supporting schools in the event of teacher transfers. Post the first two quarters of the programme, Independent School teachers reported that children eagerly gather during Read Aloud sessions, with their faces lighting up with excitement as they dive into stories, and actively participate in book-related activities designed by the LiS team. Whereas the children have described in books as “the best stories ever” after a lively discussion during a book talk. Children have been observed sharing their favorite stories with teachers and other children.
One of the examples shared by a teacher was when a student who particularly enjoyed a story narration related to the book “Ladoos for Rakhi” made Ladoos for the first time with her friends. A similar incident also occurred in another school where some students made momos after reading the book “Tsomo And The Momo”. While one one hand one school integrated warli art in one of their sessions, referring to the book “Do!” Some children asked their parents to teach them how to cook after reading the book “What shall I make?”. Such stories are indeed heartening to hear!
The second intervention is the Lead Schools programme, where schools are selected to deeply engage with the Library, trying out baseline and endline sessions. These schools have received 100+ books and new bookshelves. The LiS team conducts fortnightly visits, providing library-centric sessions and following a carefully designed syllabus to foster a love for reading.
At Lead Schools, children eagerly participate in activities such as book talks, Read Aloud, Book care and theater sessions, with their strong engagement in lively discussions and creative expressions. In one school, children even enacted the story of “Dakiya the Mailman”!
The joy of discovering new books is evident, with many students taking ownership as library monitors, helping teachers, and eagerly participating in sessions. Children also eagerly participate in book-related discussions, often sharing their interpretations and creative ideas.
The third intervention is the Travelling Library which has brought incredible excitement to schools during visits. This intervention has expanded with two traveling libraries operating in two different clusters across geographies, covering 30 schools. Children eagerly await the library van, with the aim of exploring new books and participating in interactive reading activities. The accessibility of new books through the traveling library has significantly boosted reading interest. Many children expressed their excitement by saying, “I can’t wait to see what new books the van will bring next week!” showing a genuine anticipation for the next visit and a growing love for reading. This intervention has nurtured the library experience and made books more accessible, leading to a noticeable increase in reading and a genuine sense of joy among children.
The Library in Schools programme has provided me with a platform to connect with many primary schools and people around Goa. As a Programme Coordinator, I feel grateful to be part of the Bookworm team. Over the past two years, working with children has been a delightful experience, providing inspiration and nurturing knowledge. Children eagerly await Bookworm sessions, and their response and love for Bookworm brings me joy. This experience enhances my teaching skills, communication skills, self-confidence, and brings in positive energy.
Teachers with whom I interact through Bookworm are impressed with the LiS program and wish to have Bookworm sessions in their schools because children are eager to participate, and it boosts their engagement. I am delighted to be part of this experience and will remain grateful to Bookworm for including me in this journey.
Thanks to Cipla Foundation & SCERT for their support in achieving many milestones together.
In schools where stories come to life,
Bookworm’s magic sparks delight.
Books and activities bring joy anew,
Each school library page holds a fresh view.
Libraries bloom where none were found,
With eager teachers and books around.
From classrooms to the traveling libraries,
Children’s faces light up in dance.
Each story shared is a spark so bright,
In Bookworm’s world, dreams take flight.
With every laugh and tale retold,
We find the future of the library bright and bold.
