The Emerging Roles of the School Librarian in the Tech Era: A Transformative Synergy with NEP 2020 and KVS Initiatives

Year : 2026 | Volume : 03 | Issue : 02 | Page : 15 21
By

Abhishek Kumar,

  1. Librarian, Department of Education, PM SHRI KV CRW HARNAUT, Patna, Bihar, India

Abstract

The implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in India mandates a radical paradigm shift in the school education ecosystem, moving from rote-based learning toward a 5+3+3+4 pedagogical structure centered on critical thinking and multidisciplinary exploration. This paper employs a Qualitative Policy-to-Practice Synthesis (QPPS) design to analyze the evolving role of the school librarian as a strategic catalyst within this framework, with a specific focus on the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) system. Guided by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Self-Determination Theory (SDT), the study examines how the traditional identity of the librarian is being reconstructed into a tripartite model: AI Mediator, Data Curator, and Pedagogical Innovator. The research highlights that universal Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) targets for 2026-27 a central priority of the NIPUN Bharat initiative cannot be achieved without the librarian’s transition into a Literacy Interventionist. Furthermore, the paper explores the technical imperatives of Human-AI Collaboration (HAC), advocating for hybrid cataloging workflows and the adoption of Explainable AI (XAI) to ensure ethical governance in school libraries. Empirical observations from KVS initiatives, including the integration of the National Digital Library of India (NDLI) and the “Balvatika” pilot programs, serve as evidence for the librarian’s role in fostering cyber resilience and algorithmic literacy. The study concludes that the school librarian is no longer a peripheral resource manager but an essential instructional designer. The findings suggest that the long-term success of NEP 2020 depends on institutional investment in the librarian’s dual capacity as a technical expert in metadata standards (MARC 21, OAI-PMH) and an ethical steward of the school’s digital future.

Keywords: School librarian, NEP 2020, kendriya vidyalaya sangathan (KVS), foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN), AI literacy, algorithmic literacy, innovative pedagogy, digital preservation, data curation, multidisciplinary education.

[This article belongs to International Journal of Trends in Humanities ]

How to cite this article: Abhishek Kumar. The Emerging Roles of the School Librarian in the Tech Era: A Transformative Synergy with NEP 2020 and KVS Initiatives. International Journal of Trends in Humanities. 2026; 03(02):15-21.
How to cite this URL: Abhishek Kumar. The Emerging Roles of the School Librarian in the Tech Era: A Transformative Synergy with NEP 2020 and KVS Initiatives. International Journal of Trends in Humanities. 2026; 03(02):15-21. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/ijth/article=2026/view=257216

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Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 03
Issue 02
Received 05/02/2026
Accepted 13/06/2026
Published 19/06/2026
Publication Time 134 Days

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