A group of 16 students from Ghiyasuddin School completed a three-hour community service programme at The Maldives National University Central Library, gaining practical exposure to the day-to-day operations of an academic library.

The programme was designed to provide students with an opportunity to experience library work firsthand while contributing to routine library activities. During the session, the students were introduced to four key areas of library operations: managing the circulation counter, sorting and shelving books, generating and fixing spine labels, and accessioning newly received library materials.

Rather than simply observing, the students were given hands-on opportunities to participate in these activities under the guidance of MNU Library staff. Through the circulation counter experience, they gained an understanding of how library materials are issued and returned, while sorting and shelving activities introduced them to the importance of systematically organising collections so that resources can be easily located and accessed.

Students also learned how spine labels are prepared and attached to library materials and were introduced to the accessioning process used to formally record newly acquired materials as part of the library collection.

The three-hour programme provided the students with a practical introduction to the work that takes place behind the scenes in an academic library and helped them better understand the diverse responsibilities undertaken by librarians and library staff each day.

MNU Library is pleased to support community service and learning opportunities for school students. Such programmes provide young people with meaningful exposure to libraries, encourage an appreciation for books and information resources, and introduce them to the important role libraries play in supporting education, learning and the wider community.