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1. Beyond Bookshelves: Building Classroom Libraries that Create Readers
What if the secret to building lifelong readers isn’t a grand school library—but a small, thoughtfully curated shelf within the classroom?
In this inaugural episode of The Chalk Talk Collective Podcast, host Lakshmi Karunakaran is joined by Thejaswi Shivanand, library educator at Champaca Children’s Library. Together, they explore what makes classroom libraries powerful, practical, and transformative—especially in resource-constrained school settings.
From defining what a classroom library truly is to examining how it differs from traditional school libraries, this conversation offers grounded, experience-driven insights for educators, school leaders, and anyone invested in nurturing a culture of reading.
The Chalk Talk Collective Podcast is brought to you by Teacher Plus magazine.
What You’ll Learn
What defines a classroom library—and why it’s more than just a collection of books
Key differences between classroom libraries and traditional school libraries
How purpose shapes usage, access, and impact
Practical factors to consider when curating a classroom library
How teachers can build and sustain libraries with limited resources
Ways schools can meaningfully support teachers in this journey
Key Takeaways
A classroom library is defined by access, ownership, and daily engagement, not size
Proximity matters—children read more when books are within arm’s reach
Effective curation reflects diversity, reading levels, and student choice
Even small, low-cost libraries can be powerful when they are actively used
Teacher ownership, supported by the school, is key to sustaining classroom libraries and building a reading culture
Resources Mentioned
The Nature Society Series by Eklavya
Divaswapna by Gijubhai Badheka
About the Speakers:
Lakshmi Karunakaran (Host)
An art educator and development professional with over 20 years of experience, Lakshmi works as an independent consultant across education, children’s literature, and library initiatives. She is the Lead for the Harsha Parekh Library Awards instituted by the HT Parekh Foundation and collaborates with Eklavya’s publication programme.
Thejaswi Shivanand (Guest)
A library educator at Champaca Children’s Library, Thejaswi works with schools and library-focused organizations across India, supporting the development of vibrant reading communities and professional learning spaces.
Who This Episode Is For
Teachers and educators
School leaders and administrators
Librarians and literacy practitioners
Organizations working in education and reading initiatives
View all episodes
By Teacher PlusWhat if the secret to building lifelong readers isn’t a grand school library—but a small, thoughtfully curated shelf within the classroom?
In this inaugural episode of The Chalk Talk Collective Podcast, host Lakshmi Karunakaran is joined by Thejaswi Shivanand, library educator at Champaca Children’s Library. Together, they explore what makes classroom libraries powerful, practical, and transformative—especially in resource-constrained school settings.
From defining what a classroom library truly is to examining how it differs from traditional school libraries, this conversation offers grounded, experience-driven insights for educators, school leaders, and anyone invested in nurturing a culture of reading.
The Chalk Talk Collective Podcast is brought to you by Teacher Plus magazine.
What You’ll Learn
What defines a classroom library—and why it’s more than just a collection of books
Key differences between classroom libraries and traditional school libraries
How purpose shapes usage, access, and impact
Practical factors to consider when curating a classroom library
How teachers can build and sustain libraries with limited resources
Ways schools can meaningfully support teachers in this journey
Key Takeaways
A classroom library is defined by access, ownership, and daily engagement, not size
Proximity matters—children read more when books are within arm’s reach
Effective curation reflects diversity, reading levels, and student choice
Even small, low-cost libraries can be powerful when they are actively used
Teacher ownership, supported by the school, is key to sustaining classroom libraries and building a reading culture
Resources Mentioned
The Nature Society Series by Eklavya
Divaswapna by Gijubhai Badheka
About the Speakers:
Lakshmi Karunakaran (Host)
An art educator and development professional with over 20 years of experience, Lakshmi works as an independent consultant across education, children’s literature, and library initiatives. She is the Lead for the Harsha Parekh Library Awards instituted by the HT Parekh Foundation and collaborates with Eklavya’s publication programme.
Thejaswi Shivanand (Guest)
A library educator at Champaca Children’s Library, Thejaswi works with schools and library-focused organizations across India, supporting the development of vibrant reading communities and professional learning spaces.
Who This Episode Is For
Teachers and educators
School leaders and administrators
Librarians and literacy practitioners
Organizations working in education and reading initiatives