Assessment study to review the utility and impact of BREAD Library program and activities. BREAD Society

Author - | Published - 2024

The Basic Research, Education and Development (BREAD) Society started the school library programme in 2009, in the primary and secondary government schools of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, to supplement the school library with books on diverse topics, and promote reading habits among students. The students are encouraged to write and submit reviews every academic year of the BREAD library books they read, and the best reviewers are given prizes. The programme has successfully established more than 1800 libraries, till 2023. Each of the libraries is equipped with around 600–650 books (450 Telugu and 150 English), a bookcase, a book issue register, etc. A mixed-methods approach was adopted for the assessment. The quantitative data was collected through an online survey among the school head teachers and librarians of 592 schools, and the qualitative data from 22 schools was collected by visiting these schools, conducting IDIs with librarians and head teacher, group discussions with the students, and observing the functioning of the BREAD library. The school library programme is appreciated by both the librarian and the students for the quality and variety of BREAD library books. The librarians, in particular viewed the BREAD library programme very relevant, as it provides access to good books and foster students' interest in reading.