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Purpose - This study was carried out to ascertain parents’ attitude about reading related activities of children, to discover parents’ efforts for instilling the reading habit in their children, to understand the challenges faced by parents in inculcating reading habit in their children, and to suggest possible solutions to the parents’ difficulties related to their children’s reading habits. Design/ Methodology - The research was conducted using the Survey method, with Focus Group Discussion used as the data collection tool. The research sample was 24 parents of pupils who were studying in the primary and secondary Marathi medium schools in Nashik district. An anonymous data was collected Qualitative descriptive analysis was carried out of the collected data. Findings - It was observed that parents knew that pleasure reading was important for the overall behavioral development of their children. However, less than half of them performed any substantial activities to instill the reading habit in their children. Children’s excessive usage of the internet, time constraints, children’s disinterest in reading, and parents’ incognizance about the effective reading material were the main challenges faced. Originality/ Value - This study is one of the first one of its kind in the Indian scenario. Uniquely collecting parents’ real experiences through focus group interviews, this paper provides concrete solutions to the difficulties of parents in inculcating reading habits among their children. Paper type - Research paper

This paper recounts the field experience of a Read-Aloud session conducted at Children’s Observation Home, Umerkhadi, Mumbai. Importance of reading for pleasure, with regards to runaway children, is enumerated. The status of runaway children in India and various initiatives to help them are discussed, with special reference to Children’s Aid Society, an organization aided by Government of Maharashtra, and Committed Communities Development Trust, the organizers of the session. Objectives were to explain the benefits of reading to the children; to provide them a hands-on experience of specially selected story-books; to engage their attention with read-aloud; and to encourage them to participate in read-aloud. The process included selecting suitable books for the session; getting acquainted with the background of the children residing at the Shelter Home; designing a session that could hold their interest; and usage of various read-aloud techniques. The feedback to this session, by participants and organizers both, showed that such initiatives were greatly appreciated. Children displayed a marked interest in listening to stories; and many were motivated to try the read-aloud themselves. The main challenges perceived were behavioral changes in the children due to a difficult past, diminished effect of helpful initiatives due to short and uncertain stay of the children, and language barrier. However, the incessant and dedicated efforts to inculcate the reading habit can bring life-altering changes in children. It is suggested that librarians, as the experts of books and reading, should conduct such initiatives for the underprivileged to inspire and enhance reading habit.

Library Classification Trends in the 21st Century traces development in and around library classification as reported in literature published in the first decade of the 21st century. It reviews literature published on various aspects of library classification, including modern applications of classification such as internet resource discovery, automatic book classification, text categorization, modern manifestations of classification such as taxonomies, folksonomies and ontologies and interoperable systems enabling crosswalk. The book also features classification education and an exploration of relevant topics. Covers all aspects of library classification It is the only book that reviews literature published over a decade?s time span (1999-2009) Well thought chapterization which is in tune with the LIS and classification curriculum