Author: Jyoti Narayan
When I stepped into the Library Educator’s Certificate (LEC) course, I expected to learn about running a library, organizing books, and engaging young readers. What I didn’t anticipate was how deeply it would challenge my understanding of reading, learning, and the very purpose of a library. More than just a space for books, a library is a living, breathing ecosystem—shaped by the voices, choices, and experiences of its readers.
This journey has been intense, immersive, and transformative. It has required breaking old ways of thinking, building new perspectives, and finding belonging in a collective of passionate educators. In this piece, I reflect on what I once believed, what changed, and how I plan to carry these learnings forward.
What LEC Taught Me: Breaking – Unlearning and Rethinking
One of the most profound ‘aha’ moments I had was that reading begins long before literacy. It isn’t just about decoding words—it’s about meaning-making, engagement, and discovery. Children begin to ‘read’ through their senses, through visuals, and through the way they interact with their world. This understanding has completely transformed how I view early reading experiences and the role of libraries in nurturing them.
Context matters deeply. A library should not be a neutral, one-size-fits-all space; it should respond to the lives of its readers. It should hold stories that reflect their realities, their dreams, and their curiosities. More than just providing access to books, a library should offer a sense of belonging— where children see themselves in the books they read and feel free to explore new worlds beyond their own.
Another shift in my thinking came from understanding that a library is much more than a collection of books. It is a space of possibilities. The way books are arranged, the freedom to choose what to read, and the way a child navigates the space all shape their reading journey. Libraries can often be structured around adult rules, but what happens when children actively shape their own library experience? Breaking traditional hierarchies and fostering children’s agency challenged my notions of control, making me realize that a truly child-centric library is one where children feel empowered to make choices.
From Learning to Practice: Building – Shaping a New Approach
With these old structures broken, LEC helped me start building a new understanding of library spaces and practices. Visioning exercises pushed me to sit with uncomfortable but necessary questions: What kind of library do I want to create? How do I make it inclusive, responsive, and meaningful? It forced me to go beyond logistics and think about the purpose of my work.
Planning with intention has become even more important to me. LEC has helped me refine my ability to structure engaging sessions, ensuring that every interaction with books is meaningful, fun, and immersive. I want to bring in a sense of playfulness—especially through book browsing games, interactive storytelling, and activities that make the act of reading feel like an adventure rather than an assignment.
More Than Just a Course: Belonging – Finding My Collective
Perhaps the most unexpected gift of LEC was the sense of community it gave me. Library work can sometimes feel isolating, but through this course, I found a collective of educators, practitioners, and learners who are just as passionate about books and children as I am. Being part of this diverse and deeply engaged group has been a source of learning, support, and inspiration. Conversations, shared dilemmas, and collaborative thinking have made this experience richer than I could have imagined.
Journaling was another unexpected challenge that turned into a valuable tool for reflection. Writing helped me process my thoughts more clearly, and sharing them with others deepened my learning.
Way Forward: A Learning Continuum
This course has opened doors to deeper questions, new ideas, and continuous growth. I want to keep engaging in conversations, seeking out new ways to make my library a more dynamic space, and sharing what I learn along the way.
LEC has shown me that being a library educator is not just about managing books—it’s about breaking barriers, building connections, and fostering a sense of belonging. More than anything, it has given me a deeper purpose, a clearer direction, and a collective to grow with.
As I move forward, I carry with me the belief that libraries are powerful spaces of transformation— not just for children, but for the educators who nurture them.