The Open Library at Centre for Learning

From the start, the library at Centre for Learning was visualised as a space of freedom, autonomy, relationship and responsibility. This approach is in harmony with the overall philosophy of the school but it seemed important to demonstrate this in multiple ways through the library space.

The library is a space where ownership is equally shared by the students, the library educators and the teachers. Once that is clearly internalised, the consequent action is effortless and happens seamlessly. But channels of communication, listening, and relating play a crucial role in sustaining this spirit of an open library.

An important experience for every child is the library project. This is usually in the last term which ensures there has been ongoing immersion in reading and library practices over the year. Generally, the project idea emerges from a conversation with each group. Broadly the focus of the project is to explore ways to highlight the library for all users and think of ways to make it a pleasurable experience.

This project of making a film about the library came out of a chat with 12 year old students. The following is the conversation the library educator and the students had at the start.

Scene: The CFL Library.

Year: 2005.

Cast: 8 students and the library educator, Usha Mukunda

UM: So shall we talk about what you might do for your library project?

Maitreyee: Can we do something great?

UM: What do you mean by that?

Maitreyee: Like something no one has done or even thought of?

Ritwik: Ya, something dramatic.

Shane: You mean, do a play?

Siri: We do that all the time. Something else.

Sandeep: Mmmm. To tell people about our library and see that they come and use it.

Ini: But what might attract people most?

Maitreyee: A movie?

Richa: Can we, Aunty? It would be soooo exciting!

All: Yes! Yes! Let’s make a movie on the library.

UM: Shall we look at what we need to do to make this happen?

Voices together: A video camera? Who has one? Who can shoot the film? When can we start? What fun!

UM: Hey! Hey! Slow down! The camera and the shoot is the last part. What do you think comes before that?

Pause…..

One voice after the other:

We probably need to decide what we want to say.

How do we introduce the library?

Who will talk?

What we should include?

How long it will be?

UM: Great! You have covered many things. Why don’t you spend some time together to go over some of your questions and we will take it further next week.

So the next week they came back with answers to most of the questions raised.

I then told them that making a film involves a lot of work and discipline and that is what they must put in before the actual filming.

I asked them to prepare a script, detail what they wish to be shown, who will speak and when, sequence the shots and practice the session well. Then, when I saw it all in writing, I would ask a friend to bring his hand held video camera and the film could roll! At first, there were a few long faces, but then they took it on, divided the responsibilities and brought the script. It included some aspects of the library that were not strictly in that domain but they said that they saw the library as all of what they wished to be filmed. That made sense so it stayed in. They also wished to have a name for their production. These were all the add-ons.

Now enjoy this short film planned and produced by 12 year olds. An adult’s inputs could well have made the film more professional but the enthusiasm and energy of the children gloss over the technical failings. Or so I like to think!