At home with books: A library for underprivileged kids

 Excerpts from The THT:
The iconic India Gate will soon be witness to a quieter revolution. The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) will soon open the first free municipal library called ‘At home with books’ at Children’s Park. The library will cater to children between six and 14 years, who do not have access to books.

One of the primary objectives is to dissuade underprivileged children from begging by giving them an alternative space to spend their day. “The idea is to promote the culture of reading among children. Even if some do not read books, we have installed computers and a television in the hall so that they can watch informative videos,” said Vidushi Chaturvedi, director (Education), NDMC.

Thank you NDMC's education department for recognizing libraries as essential center of learning for the underprivileged children

Medical self-help books: how reliable are they?
 
Many people spend lots of money each year purchasing so-called medical self-help books that often suggest extraordinary and unsubstantiated claims that are not supported by scientific studies. We find vendors selling books on certain stalls near railways, on buses.... selling 'Gherelu Nuska' (home remedies). They should not be adhered to as it may help you but , are not the right options.

Remember: Be careful before trusting such sources of information for your health problems

From NLM fb posting -“Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and the most inhumane.”-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

 Creaky state of medical libraries/librarians in many of the developing countries 

I read one of the article in  J Med Libr Assoc.' Applications of information and communication technologies in libraries in Pakistan'.  It conclude by stating that :
Librarians should be well informed about latest developments in their field for better patient care. This objective can be achieved using modern technologies in libraries. This study was conducted to investigate the status of ICT applications in medical libraries in Lahore and found a low level of ICT applications. Lack of hardware, partial automation, absence of ILSs for automation, absence of websites, inadequate funds, lack of cooperation from higher authorities, and few training opportunities for medical librarians were the main problems. However, medical libraries of Lahore were well connected and had good access to HEC Digital Library resources.

The provision of hardware, standardized library software, adequate financial resources, and proper training facilities for medical librarians will help to strengthen ICT application in medical libraries of Lahore. Cooperation from higher authorities is a key to success that is strongly needed in this case. It is recommended that library schools and professional associations in Pakistan arrange refresher courses, workshops, seminars, and continuing education programs for medical librarians. Consortiums of medical libraries at the regional and national level may be developed for resource sharing to overcome libraries' financial limitations. Medical librarians in Pakistan should join together to provide more applications of ICTs in libraries to serve health care professionals in an efficient way.

Notes:

No doubt medical librarians are an important part of health care organizations and serve one of the most important communities of a society, the health care professionals and beyond this librarians through their outreach services are helping health information deprived citizens with the valued information. ...lookn for a day when attention will be focused on medical librarians as they have uncanny abilities to improve health care but are ignored

I am reading College & Research Libraries News (C&RL News) established in 1966,that provides articles on the latest trends and practices affecting academic and research libraries and serves as the official news and publication of record of ACRL. Monthly columns include Internet Resources, Internet Reviews and lots more

Resources awareness

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India has got talent, but is untapped.

There are many change makers in the country who have been awarded by toi + JP Morgan group congrats to all change makers
Excerpts from toi 
 In gloomy, depressing times, they serve as a beacon of hope. In a nation that too often abandons its underprivileged with a careless shrug, they roll up their sleeves and work to make a difference — selflessly and largely anonymously. Last year, in the first such exercise of its kind, 12 organizations and individuals were honoured with the inaugural Times of India Social Impact Awards in association with JP Morgan.