Library Week 2023

The Indian School observed Library Week from 30 October- 3 November 2023. The Library Department planned exciting activities for a vibrant and engaging weeklong literary celebration at School, catering to the diverse interests of the students. From captivating storytelling sessions to insightful discussions, each session aimed at fostering a love for reading.

Here are the highlights of the week.

- The week commenced with an assembly in the Foundation Hall for classes VI and VII. The assembly was compered by Tanmay Virmani and Priyanshu Modak of class VII. Sarah and Elina presented literary news, followed by inspirational quotes by Krishna and Aadya Ranjan. Ayaan and Samriddhi spoke about the history and evolution of books, while Arnavjeet narrated a self-written story named “The Hidden World”. A skit based on the story “Puchku Finds a Book”, presented by Shubhi Yadav, Aastha, Misha Singhal, Gunika, Kartavya Sharma and Aditya Pathak regaled the audience. Hadi of class 6 enlightened the audience about some of the most popular books adorning the shelves of the School library. Hiba Haider of class VII paid tribute to authors who have passed away in the year 2023. A quiz conducted by Kartavya and Aditya, raised the excitement quotient. As a token of appreciation, handmade bookmarks made by Taisha Manchanda, Priyanshu Modak and Shubhi Yadav, were presented to the ones who answered the questions correctly.

- A plenitude of activities were planned on 30 October, the first day of Library Week. 47 students of class IX visited the National Science Library. The students were given a guided tour of the library, where they had the opportunity to explore an extensive collection of scientific journals, books, and research materials. Following the library visit, a quiz was organised in the Seminar Hall. This session encouraged students to showcase their knowledge and critical thinking skills. The students who won prizes were Mankirat Kaur, Kushagra Sandurea, Rishita Guha Roy, Ananya Chakraborty, Avni Mendiratta, Ishita Kapoor, Suhana Meena, Aryaveer Bidhuri and Unnabh Dasmahapatra. This acknowledgment motivated the students and encouraged them to continue their pursuit of scientific knowledge.

- On the same day, an excursion was planned for the students of class V, to the B. C. Roy Children’s Library. This visit was an excellent way to encourage exploration and expand understanding of what libraries offer.

- The children of class VII participated in a workshop hosted by Goyal Brothers and Publication. The resource person for the workshop was Dr Jyoti Handa, practicing psychologist. The enthusiastic students waited eagerly for a world of creativity to unravel before their eyes. Japant Singh Sethi welcomed the guest. Dr Handa showed an image of the brain on the projector screen and asked the students if we really use the brain. Varied answers from across the audience prompted Dr Handa to talk about the six thinking hats and how they help unlock the mind. She then gave the students a puzzle, called the nine-dot puzzle, to solve. In another activity she asked the students to select a storybook or a character, and moved on to explaining the 6 different colours and what they resemble. A vote of thanks was presented by Aisha Nayar of class VII.

- A captivating session was organised for class IV in the School library. The event commenced with a warm welcome by Divjot Kaur, who welcomed author, Ms Ruchika Chanana and presented her a gift hamper comprising handmade candles, made as Shramdaan under the aegis of the School Citizenship Programme and a potted plant from the School nursery. Meeting an author can be an exciting and enriching experience for young readers as it provides an insight into the world of storytelling and the creative process behind writing. It was a great chance for the students to learn about mysteries and adventures in literature. Following the enlightening discussion, Ms Chanana continued to engage the students by dividing them into groups of five. In each group, she handed out a short-written mystery, challenging the students to read and solve it. The mystery narratives were carefully crafted, presenting a set of clues and riddles that required the young detectives to use their sharp wits to decipher.

- On the 31 October 2023, 45 students of class XII Commerce and Humanities, embarked on an educational excursion to the Gandhi Museum and Library. This insightful visit provided a comprehensive understanding of the life and principles of Mahatma Gandhi. Upon arrival at the museum, they were guided by a knowledgeable tour guide who meticulously narrated the life journey of Mahatma Gandhi, from his early years to his significant contributions. The guide presented an engaging, step-by-step account of his life. One of the most fascinating aspects of the visit was the unique opportunity of hearing the voice of the Mahatma through old-fashioned telephones on display, and the rhythm of his heartbeats through a human-made device. The meticulously recreated replicas of Gandhiji’s office and home, offered the visitors a glimpse into his daily life and work. This immersive experience provided valuable insights into the environment in which Gandhiji formulated his ideas and strategies. For students pursuing General Knowledge and Humanities, this tour was a treasure trove of information. It provided invaluable insights into Gandhiji’s life and philosophy. The museum visit undoubtedly enhanced our student’s knowledge and comprehension of this iconic figure.

- On 1 November 2023, the students of class VI had the privilege of attending a captivating storytelling session conducted in the Foundation Hall, by storyteller Ms Vasudha Ahuja. The session, made possible with the help of Oxford India, was a delightful opportunity for our students to embark upon an exciting journey into the world of stories. Aishee and Samarth of class VI welcomed the guest. The auditorium was transformed into a realm of imagination where every student was eager to embark on an adventure. Ms Vasudha, an enthusiastic storyteller, wove words into spellbinding narratives. She presented the very famous story ‘The Blue Umbrella’ by Ruskin Bond, occasionally breaking into song, making it an enjoyable experience for the young audience.

- Another session was conducted on 1 November 2023, for the students of class VIII, on Stress Management. The resource person Ms Monisha Gupta was welcomed by Nyasa Sharma of class VIII. Ms Gupta shared some stress-busting techniques like listening to music, deep breathing, meditation, reading, writing, reducing screen time, to name a few. She informed the students how these techniques will help them manage stress effectively, which is particularly relevant in an educational setting.

- In this digital world, where people are increasingly wired to social media and the internet, concerns about cyber security, cyberbullying, and cyber hygiene are pertinent. With this in mind, a workshop was conducted by Ms Ashu Manchanda on 2 November 2023, for the students of class X. She was welcomed by Ryan Singh of class XB. The workshop aimed to provide in-depth knowledge and practical experience in the various aspects of cyber security. The students were given smart cyber tips and introduced to terms like cyberbullying, cybercrime, and hacking. They were given an overview of the legal aspects to be kept in mind while surfing the internet to access different websites and social media apps for sending and receiving information. The seminar equipped participants with the knowledge and skills required to implement effective cyber security measures and defend against cyber threats. They learned about the latest tools and techniques used by ethical hackers to identify vulnerabilities and mitigate risks.

- Another workshop was planned on the same day for class XI. A workshop on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Implementation, led by Mr Ankit Kapoor, was an enlightening event that underscored the pivotal role of libraries in advancing the SDGs. Mr Kapoor was welcomed by Hannan Hussain and Aanya Pillai. The students were introduced to an innovative educational app called GoSharpner, which holds the promise of facilitating lifelong learning. Mr Kapoor commenced the workshop with a comprehensive introduction to the 17 SDGs, emphasising their significance in addressing global challenges and the need for collective action. Participants actively engaged in discussions, sharing their experiences and ideas for incorporating SDGs into their libraries and communities. The workshop was a remarkable learning experience, underlining the crucial role of libraries in advancing the SDGs.

- A special attraction during the Library Week was the Book Fair. Colourful books up on display by Full Circle, a neighbourhood bookstore, proved to be a major crowd puller. The second reception area reverberated with excited sounds as students lined up to browse through a vibrant collection of books across varied genres and authors, before they found the books they wanted. Samridhi Sharma of class VII and Saanvi Jawa of class X were declared winners of the lucky draw at the book fair.

- Another special attraction was the Book Donation Drive. Around 200 books collected during the drive, were donated to a nearby NGO. Library Week was indeed a wonderful experience for the entire School community as it embarked upon a joyous ride into the fascinating world of books!