Over the past week, libraries across Chennai have turned into vibrant activity hubs, hosting children for yoga and reading sessions, chess and carrom contests, and various board games. These sessions are part of the Directorate of Public Libraries' summer outreach programme, designed to keep children engaged through activities that do not involve screen time and to spark an interest in libraries.
Programme Details and Coordination
The programmes are being held at 18 full-time libraries in the city. Libraries decide the schedule and activities for the day and coordinate with school heads and local residents to ensure participation. All activities are conducted in coordination with readers' circles, which also contribute financially. The government has been providing up to 5,000 rupees per library for refreshments for participating students, said district library officer (Chennai) M Kavitha.
Activities and Participation
Over the past week, programmes have been held at libraries in Velachery, Thiruvanmiyur, Vyasarpadi, Anna Nagar, and Royapuram. More than 500 students have participated so far. Board games have attracted many more students, apart from the conventional drawing and storytelling contests. Readers' circle members also deliver short talks on the importance of libraries. In the evenings, simple exercise sessions are held for children. Several adults have also participated, said Villivakkam librarian K Thirumurugan.
Future Plans and Goals
The programmes will continue into next week. The goal is to promote libraries among the public. In today's digital age, such initiatives are essential to capture students' attention. Reading sessions must be increased, said Madras Library Association president K Nithyanandam. The initiative aims to foster a love for reading and community engagement while reducing screen dependency among children.
