Enhancing readership of books from library to build better society

Enhancing readership of books from library to build better society

I am working as a Librarian in Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha's(MKSSS) Cummins College of Engineering for Women(CCEW), Pune, Maharashtra, India. The great visionary Mharshi Karve founded this organisation in 1896 for widow girls. Since then MKSSS is working for upliftment, emancipation and education of women. MKSSS established first women’s engineering college in India in 1991 which is one of the top college in Pune with necessary approvals from educational bodies. Presently CCEW library holds 59000,100 printed books and journals respectively, 934 e-journals, 725 e-books in collection. Library is serving to 2700 UG and PG students, 300 staff members. Since it is known fact now that the present students’ generation use mobile devices for information requirements which is challenging task to attract students to read print books. Considering this, during 2014-2015, library took steps to increase readership by introducing few innovative programs in the library. Following are some of the unique initiatives: 1) Students most active borrower's award : Theme – “Read more get more to read” 2) Motivation to study: Theme -“To help weak students to excel in examination” 3) Exhibition of books : Theme -“To make students aware of the collection.” 4) Book Club : Activity comprises Book Reviewing, Meeting Authors, Book Quizes, Read book aloud. Theme - “Encourage students to read more books from library” Outcome - Though these activities are new born, around 400 students have been benefitted from all above activities. They have been now active users of the library. These 400 students are lamps with young minds to spread light of reading in the society in future. This will help to create a well “read” society of the future generation.