Role of School Libraries in sharpening 21st century skills of students.

Students as the human capital need to be empowered for the socio-economic development of our country. The pace with which the world is moving accelerates the need for a proactive outlay to evolve a strong, energetic and buoyant kind of learners who can meet the challenges in life and work. The skills required for the future workforce are totally different from what our students are acquiring now. Libraries, as an integral part of our educational system, can contribute much towards skill development, especially in schools. School libraries are centres where students can develop their skills through self-paced learning with the help of reference, research and intellectual recreation. Apart from developing reading and information skills, school libraries can impart training e-learning skills, digital literacy, technology skills and professional skills to work in library. Leadership and social skills of students also can be honed in libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]