Monica

“Books have to be friends for the children, an enjoyment never an obligation”

Monica, Librarian of the Education Resource & Information Centre

Q: Monica, can you explain your work at the MEC?

My primary responsibility is to collect, categorise and disseminate these resources to MEC children and staff, trainees, TdH-NL project partners and the community at large. On the other hand I take library classes to MMS children, where they learn about books and library skills. We have around 22000 volumes of resources in various areas which include primary and secondary education, disability, community development, organisational development etc in the form of books, audio-visuals. ERIC has also subscribed 50 magazines in 6 different southern languages.

Q: All here are talking about “library lessons”, what are they?

Since MMS is an English medium school, the children have complexity in learning the language because of their background, added to that the children are to learn the concepts of the subjects through English. In such a circumstance, ERIC facilitates the children during their library lessons, their reading ability, which is assessed and necessary support is given to improve their reading ability. Audiovisual materials, read-aloud-books are the resources used to kindle and express their creative ideas through activities like poster making and critics of books.

Also the children are facilitated in collection of relevant information to explore thru steps involved in research skills in connection with the subjects taught and on current affairs in line with the theme selected for the term by the subject teachers. These children are supported with reference materials for collection of information through books, CD-ROMs, videotapes etc. These children learn the library terms, classification of stories, author study, and parts of book and thereby develop the library skills. Children come voluntarily to library even after the scheduled hours looking for information to improve their learning, thereby the habit of self-learning is inculcated. To add, children checkout the books for reading at dormitories and the frequency of check-in and checkout of materials by the children has also found increasing.

Like any other subject, at the end of each term individual assessment is made and the same is discussed with the concerned teachers, parents/guardians. They love it to the point that they want to take books when they go back to their families and show to their friends

Q: Tell us about yourself and your initial experience in MEC

I am from Nagercoil. I love travelling and exploring things. After my graduation in Library Science, I started my career as an Asst.Librarian at a Seminary later I was fortunate to join MEC team as a Librarian in the year 2002. I received a key in my hand and was told that this will be your area! From that day onwards, with the guidance of my Director and support of our team, the library took shape in a gradual pace to this progress.
I love working here with these children who enjoy and explore each and every aspects taking place in my classroom which in turn gives a great satisfaction to me at the end of the day.

Q: What is your dream?

In the future ERIC should be connected to all the partners and we must provide e-resources through internet. I want my library to be the best-in-class in the entire Region and to make sure that we convey all the resource and information outside the MEC in the villages.

Q: Why are books so important?

It is important that the “books are the friends of the children” it sparks children creativity and imagination, builds their vocabulary and strengthens the use of language, clarifies difficult situation and troublesome feelings , In short, books help children reach out to the world beyond. Reading is never an obligation at ERIC but an enjoyment, a way to get educated along with fun.