Tagore has given a very good description of a good library in these words: My idea of a small library is one that keeps books on every subject but only select books, not one of which is their merely as an offering of worship to number, but each one of which stands on its own merit; where the librarian is a true elevate, devotee of ulterior seeking free from pride in the mere loading of shelves, capable of discriminate rejection. A library in short which makes just enough provision that can be placed before its guests for their declaration with a librarian who has the qualities of a host, not a storekeeper.

Planning School Library: This may be under:

(1) Selection of Books:

According to the Secondary Education Commission the guiding principle in selection should be not the teacher’s own idea of hat books the students must read out their natural and psychological interests. The contents of a library may classify as:

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(a) Books for younger children:

Well illustrated and attractive books giving information on fairy tales and fables etc.

(b) Books for older children:

(1) Books depiciting stories of travels, explorations, adventures discoveries and inventions.

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(2) Biographies of great men and women.

(3) Suitable works of fiction, fun and hobbies.

(4) Parallel textbook.

(5) Source books.

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(6) Dictionaries.

(c) Books for teachers:

A faculty committee eluding representatives of each department should be pointed with the librarian as the convener. The committee should determine policies for the development of the library, draw up rules, governing it use and the funds in such a way as each department f the school work is provided for equality.

(d) Books for Adults:

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To serve as a center of community service, the school library should contain books for adults also.

(2) Library Room and Equipment:

It should equipped with plenty of attractive, well built, well printed, well illustrated with comfortable furniture, open shelves, charming pictures, flowers hangings and bright outlook with a librarian who loves children as well as books. Reading, lending, borrowing and returning should be the watch words of a library. Spitting, smoking noise making, sleeping and quarreling should be prohibited.

(3) Librarian:

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If libraries spend less on books and more an educated staff, for results would be obtained. A librarian should pass the following qualifications:

(1) General educational.

(2) Professional, i.e. indexing and cataloguing.

(3) Pedagogical, i.e., adept in child psychology, familiar with the present trends in the educational field, sympathetic nature etc.

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(4) Library Rules:

Among other rules, the following must be included:

(1) Library periods may be allotted.

(2) For the changing and distribution of books, a certain time may be fixed.

(3) Each student may be asked to keep a diary wherein name of the books read with date and comments be entered.

(5) Cataloguing:

The usual thing is for a library to say: Here is my catalogue, come and select for yourself. But in the usual catalogue there is no introduction, no invitation, and no spirit of welcome. That library alone can be called hospitable which showed an eagerness to invite readers to the feast at its disposal. It is such hospitality that makes a library big, not its size that the readers make the library is not the whole truth and the library likewise makes the readers.

(6) Encouraging the Students to Use the School Library:

(1) The librarian should given through instructions to the students in not only how to find out books and other material in the library but also how to make the best use of the material which the library contains.

(2) The teachers should give occasional talks to pupils on the importance of extra reading.

(3) As far as possible the open shelf system should be introduced so that the students may have free access to books.

(4) Students should be asked to maintain a diary in which they should enter date wise the names of all the books they have read. They may also be asked to write brief quotations or extracts from the books that may appeal to them. They may also write short reviews and appreciation of these books.

(5) Marks may be allotted for extra-reading and entered in the monthly progress report.

(6) Library periods should be provided for each class in the time-table.

(7) Books competitions should be arranged from time to time and questions on titles, authors and subject- matter may be set.

(8) The library should be made the most attractive place in the school so that it may attract the students in large numbers.

(9) The Cooperation of the students should be sought in decorating the library in order to give them the feeling that the library belongs to them.

(10) The librarian should behave very sympathetically with the students.

(11) The school library should be kept open during the vacation and long holidays.

(12) The beautiful picture cuttings from newspapers and illustrations from current events and topics should be displayed on the library bulletin boards.

(13) Books suiting different tastes and interests should be provided in large numbers.

(14) The furniture should suit the needs of the students.

(15) A catalogue of library books should be available in the library for ready reference.