Almost every school tells parents it has a library. Far fewer can show you a library that children actually use and enjoy. A good school library does more for a child’s reading, vocabulary and concentration than almost any other facility, but only if it is part of the school day rather than a locked room on the tour. Here is what to look for when you visit.
1. Is it used, or just shown?
The single best sign of a good library is evidence of use. Look for worn books, borrowing records, children’s reviews or reading charts on the walls, and a timetable that gives each class regular library time. A beautifully arranged room with untouched shelves tells you the library is there for the brochure.
Ask: How often does each class visit the library, and what do children do there?
2. Does it make reading enjoyable?
Children who learn to enjoy reading keep reading. Children who only read because they are tested tend to stop as soon as they can. A good library makes room for reading for pleasure: picture books, stories, comics and non-fiction on subjects children choose for themselves, alongside the books that support the syllabus.
Ask: Can children choose their own books, and is there time just to read?
3. How are the youngest children introduced to books?
The earlier a child builds a positive association with books, the easier reading becomes later. For Nursery, LKG and UKG, that means short, cheerful library sessions: a teacher reading aloud, picture books children can hold and turn, and simple routines like choosing a book and putting it back.
Ask: At what age do children start visiting the library, and what does a session look like for them?
4. Are there books at every reading level?
A Grade 2 reader and a Grade 9 reader need very different shelves. Look for books grouped by age or level, so that a child can always find something that is neither too easy nor too hard. Books in more than one language are a plus for many families in Karnataka.
Ask: How are books organised for different ages and reading levels?
5. Is someone responsible for it?
A library improves when someone looks after it: adding new titles, retiring damaged ones, and encouraging reluctant readers. Ask who manages the library and how new books are chosen. A library that is “growing” is a good sign. It means someone is paying attention to it.
6. Does reading carry into the classroom?
The best libraries do not stand alone. Teachers recommend books, children talk about what they are reading, and reading habits are encouraged at home too. Ask whether the school suggests books for the holidays, or holds reading activities through the year.
A short checklist for your visit
- Ask to see the library on a working day, with a class inside if possible.
- Look for signs of use: borrowing records, worn books, children’s work on the walls.
- Check for books at your child’s level, and some they would pick up themselves.
- Ask how often your child’s class would visit.
- Ask how the youngest children are introduced to books.
The library at St. Lawrence
Our school library emphasises the fun and exciting side of reading, with the aim of building a lifelong love of books. It is a growing library, and we are extending library access to our kindergarten students, so that children build positive associations with books from their earliest years. In the Nursery Wing, this sits alongside phonetics-based reading and sight words.
You can see the library and the rest of the campus, including the auditorium, activity room and smart classrooms, on our facilities page. The best way to judge any library is in person, so you are welcome to visit our Kamakshipalya campus on a working day, and the admission process explains the steps for the coming year.