Efforts to build a library

At Loc Tho 1 Kindergarten (Nha Trang City), the library is arranged into an open space, creating a friendly, close feeling. The bookshelves are designed within reach of children, a quiet reading corner with sitting mats, pillows, interactive boards and books. There are more than 2,600 books here, and the school also connects with the Provincial Library to regularly supplement them. Every week, teachers bring children to the library in classes and small groups to read books, look at pictures, and listen to stories. Children are free to choose their favorite books and share stories with friends. In particular, the library is also flexibly used as a mini cinema, where children can watch cartoons, fairy tales, etc. In addition, children can also visit the Provincial Library; participate in the school book festival, the "Children's creative storytelling" contest, exchange programs, etc.

A corner of the children's library at Loc Tho 1 Kindergarten (Nha Trang City).

Ms. Nguyen Thi Viet Ha - Principal of Loc Tho 1 Kindergarten said: “Books and stories are like close friends of children. The earlier children are exposed to books, the more opportunities they will have to experience, learn and explore the world around them. This is also the foundation for forming children's personality and learning habits in the following years. Through the activities implemented, I see positive changes in children. Children are more interested in reading and listening to stories; their vocabulary, language skills and ability to express ideas are improved. Children also have the ability to imagine, express emotions and have better behaviors in life”.

At some other schools such as: Huong Duong Kindergarten (Nha Trang City), Dien Khanh Town Kindergarten (Dien Khanh District)..., the school has built a green library with diverse spaces, beautiful design, highly appreciated by parents for its aesthetics and efficiency, as a highlight to add color to the beauty of the school. Here, children can study, play, and access books, newspapers, comics, and rich, useful images.

The difficulties

According to Circular No. 16 of the Ministry of Education and Training, preschool libraries must ensure 5 standards on information resources, facilities, specialized equipment, library activities, and library management. Specifically, each child must have at least 2 copies of books, each teacher must have at least 3 copies of books (level 1 standard); the total library area must not be less than ^48m2 (excluding open space). At the same time, there must be enough cabinets, shelves, bookshelves, tables and chairs for children; tables and chairs for teachers; desks, chairs, cabinets for librarians... In addition, librarians must have a college degree or higher in information - library or equivalent majors, other majors with a certificate of training in knowledge and professional skills in information - library issued by a competent agency or organization... The information resource search system must be carried out directly at the library, ensuring easy and convenient search, there must be activities to promote reading, forming and developing reading habits; the system of records, books, and library regulations ensures management of information resources, facilities, specialized equipment and library activities...

Compared to the standards in Circular No. 16, currently very few kindergartens in the province can meet them. Ms. Hoang Thi Thuy - Principal of Van Luong Kindergarten (Van Ninh district) said that the school has not built a library according to regulations. Currently, the school has used the two sides of the stairs as a library for children's activities. Organizing library activities by teachers or clerical staff is still difficult.

Mr. Do Huu Quynh - Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training said that recently, the department has organized conferences to implement Circular No. 16, guiding schools in building preschool libraries; coordinating with the Vietnam Education Publishing House to sponsor books for libraries of 10 schools; organizing study tours to build preschool libraries for leaders of education and training departments, principals of preschools in 8 districts, towns and cities in the province. The current difficulty is that most schools do not have library staff, leading to difficulties in establishing operating procedures, library activities, and implementing professional issues; funding for purchasing supplies and learning materials for the library is still limited. In addition, there are very few preschools with enough space to build their own library rooms according to regulations. In the immediate future, many schools have taken advantage of some stairwells, lobbies... to make libraries, build library corners in groups, classes... The Department of Education and Training has requested education and training departments to advise the People's Committees at the district level to invest in building new or renovating preschool libraries to ensure an area of ​​not less than ^48m2 (not including open space) and must have at least one reading room for children and teachers.

Along with that, guide kindergartens to set up and operate libraries (prepare facilities, invest, arrange decorations, set up library corners, activity schedules, mobilize the participation of parents and the community...); develop forms of records, books, and library regulations to guide kindergartens to implement, ensure the management, use of libraries and library activities according to regulations. Every year, the Department of Education and Training needs to develop a plan to inspect the organization, management, use of libraries and library activities of schools; organize the assessment and recognition of standard kindergarten libraries (if any). The Department has also provided specific instructions on arranging reading places for children if schools do not have a room to set up a library.

H.NGAN