Great School Libraries campaign launches
Posted on Thursday, September 20, 2018
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The Great School Libraries launches today with the aim of securing funding for school libraries and encouraging Ofsted to recognise school libraries in its school reports.
The three year campaign is spearheaded by SLA, CILIP SLG and CILIP. The organisations also plan to produce a national framework for school libraries, but the campaign stops short of demanding that school libraries become compulsory. School Library Association (SLA) CEO Alison Tarrant is anxious that schools don't feel threatened by the campaign's work. "Our concern is that if we make school libraries statutory, that will be a kick in the teeth for schools that are already struggling in terms of resources," Tarrant explains, "so we are going for this trinity whereby the statutory element and Ofsted inspection has to come with ring-fenced funding from government to develop school libraries." You can read a full interview with Alison Tarrant via the link, below. An important part of the campaign's three-year strategy will be to build evidence to demonstrate what school libraries and qualified school librarians can contribute to a school's learning and environment. School librarians are, therefore, being asked to provide their own case studies to help build a picture of the vital role libraries can play in schools. As well as school library staff, the campaign aims to engage all potential stakeholders including parents, school leadership and decision makers in government. A statement from the group says: "All children deserve a great school library because adequately funded, staffed school libraries deliver enhanced and independent learning as well as reading and curriculum support. School libraries contribute to building lifelong readers and support whole school initiatives promoting reading for pleasure." It says that evidence also suggests school libraries: - Lead to higher qualifications/attainment - Promote a better quality of life - Generate improved results - Alleviate pressure on health and mental health services - Alleviate teacher workload - Increase efficiency for schools - Contribute to the delivery of a well-rounded education - Deliver and teach essential Information/critical literacy skills to combat fake news and engender independent learning Follow updates at #greatschoollibraries To find out more, sign up to the regular newsletter, and to download resources including Great School Library campaign posters, go to:
