Why have a School Library and |Librarian
We are currently going through difficult times in school libraries. As with public library services, those in schools are seen as easy targets when savings have to be made. This involves cutting funding for stock and notably staff. For some reason schools seem to think in terms of the pure mechanics of running a physical library, rather than understanding the skills and knowledge that a good librarian can bring to the whole educational process. The librarian works across the whole school, rather than having a narrow focus and they can give support in many areas including
research skills/supporting independent learning
digital literacy/internet safety
reading for pleasure
EPQ preparation
SEN reading support
Managing Accelerated Reader
creating lesson plans
fiction in the curriculum
Official reports
During the last 10 years the funding for libraries in schools has seen a steady decline despite a huge amount of evidence from across the world which highlights the importance of libraries in improving the life chances of the students. There is also strong evidence that reading for pleasure is a very important indicator of achievement later in life.
Look out for
http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/good-school-libraries-making-difference-learning
http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/english-crossroads-evaluation-of-english-primary-and-secondary-schools-200508
The new curriculum for 2014 states in the programme for English, that one of the aims is ” to develop their love of literature through widespread reading for enjoyment.”
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-english-programmes-of-study/national-curriculum-in-england-english-programmes-of-study
August 2015 has seen the publication of a report by theReading Agency about Reading for Pleasure increasing empathy and wellbeing. http://readingagency.org.uk/news/media/reading-for-pleasure-builds-empathy-and-improves-wellbeing-research-from-the-reading-agency-finds.html