A librarian teaches phone-addicts a lesson

One can do something constructive only with the will to do so. Without willpower, one can’t even move an inch towards one’s goal.

The head of my college library, Rekha Rani, is efficient and tough taskmaster. She has kept the library in order. Both teachers and students have to observe the rules of the library once they enter its precincts. Her way of running the library has earned her both praise and criticism. She says whatever she does is in the interest of the institution and its students. She tries to give her best while discharging her duty. At present, her priority is to wean students away from the overuse of mobile phones.

Nowadays, students find the library a safe haven to chat with friends on social media. To trick the library staff, they hide their smart phones in their books; put them on mute mode and keep chatting/texting while pretending to be reading. To discourage this practice and encourage reading, Rekha Rani has come up with a plan.

She keeps a close watch on such defaulters. Once she identifies them, she confronts them and gets down to reforming them. The students feel ashamed of their act and pledge not to repeat the mistake. But Rekha madam promises to pardon them only if they carry out an assignment. The assignment pertains to reading a book followed by a discussion on it with her.

Initially, the defaulters protest but eventually give in. The librarian issues them a biography each. Before sending them off, she makes them take an oath by making them place their hands on the book that they will honestly complete the task assigned to them. The next day, when the students head for the library, they open the book issued to them and start reading it. They are so engrossed in reading that they forget to look into their mobile phones. This exercise continues for about 10 days.

On the 11th day, the students enter the library with their heads held high and go to the librarian’s room. She offers them tea before executing her plan to engage them in a discussion. She gives them an opportunity to sum up the contents of the book they have read. One by one, the students shed light on the books. It’s a win-win situation for both sides.

Finally, Rekha madam offers a book to each student as a prize for using their time constructively. She advises them not to fall prey to technology.

THE STUDENTS FELT ASHAMED OF THEIR ACT BUT REKHA MADAM PROMISED TO PARDON THEM ONLY IF THEY CARRIED OUT AN ASSIGNMENT