Do schools need libraries and librarians? A teaching assistant and award-winning librarian explains why they do...

Many primary schools have libraries, but often these potentially fantastic sources of inspiration and imagination are not utilised properly. No one's really in charge of them and children receive little guidance on what they might enjoy reading. Some schools have no libraries at all - it's argued that they are a luxury which simply can't be budgeted for.

It's no surprise then that schools with libraries and librarians to run them are evangelical about the benefits. It's a lot more common in private schools than state, and in secondary schools rather than primary, even though we all know how important it is to start the reading bug while young. However, some state schools are determined to hang onto people whom they find inspirational.

Last month Lucy Bakewell, from Hill West Primary School in Sutton Coldfield was announced as the School Librarian of the Year. It was the first time a librarian from a primary school had won the award. You can see Lucy in the picture.

The Judges said of Lucy, who is actually a teaching assistant at the school:  "Few primary schools can afford to have a librarian and many rely on dedicated individuals, such as Lucy to run their libraries. Lucy inspires her pupils to love books and reading and she inspires the adults around her. Hill West School is an example of a marvellous school where reading and books are central to learning, much of which is down to Lucy.  We feel that it is really important to raise the profile of good primary school library practice, to demonstrate that with the right person in place wonderful things can be achieved."

Here Lucy explains why libraries are a necessity and not something we can cut out in these cash struck times. 

"Today, when schools are striving to raise standards in reading and writing, we need champions to place themselves at the heart of school strategies. Their aim – to engage pupils in and enthuse them about books.

It is the most exciting time in history to be a school librarian. Never has there been a better point in time to create effective information centres for our children. Ones that play a crucial role in raising attainment, creating readers and developing skills for life.

With the advent of the internet, much funding for libraries has been reduced. Some have even suggested that libraries are no longer a viable facility in schools and are replacing them with ICT suites:
 ‘Why do we need a library when we can find all the information we want on the internet?’

Although it cannot be denied that the internet is an incredibly powerful research aid, it cannot replace the personalised service or information delivered by more traditional hands on approach. Even in the most modest of school libraries, every resource has been quality controlled, assessed, catalogued and sorted for easy access. Therein lies the necessity of a skilled Librarian.

It takes a truly dedicated individual to create an inspiring school library. The job is not to create the ‘perfect’ library, but to create the perfect library for the individual school’s needs. To do this the school librarian has to wear many hats: teacher, information specialist, administrator, promoter, advisor and most importantly inspirer.

I believe that school librarians change lives by supporting learning and teaching in their schools. It is fundamental to capture children’s interest and imagination at a young age and make them passionate about reading. Reading is so important in children’s development, expanding their imagination, knowledge and their vocabulary.

The school librarian’s knowledge and enthusiasm for books puts them in a unique position to engage the children they interact with. They are able to promote reading and bring stories to life through many different means: themed events, author visits, reading initiatives, book awards to name but a few.

There is something very special about the relationship between a reader and their book. The tactile sensation of holding a book and turning the pages is all a part of the experience. Children want to feel a part of the story, be transported to another world and experience another person’s life. Without dedicated Librarians nurturing both engaged and disengaged readers, many may miss out on these experiences.

A school library belongs to the pupils that visit it. It is a sanctuary for reading and inspiration and a place where librarians can help children become truly information literate in an individually tailored way, through a mixture of traditional and new methods.

“If we can capture children’s love and enthusiasm for reading, whether it be fiction or non fiction, at an early age, then we are truly giving them a gift for life,” says Beth Clarke, Head teacher at the school where I work, Hill West. I can only agree." 

For more information about the SLA School Librarian of the Year Awards and to nominate a librarian for next year go to their website.

Read School Gate:

Why you can always return that library book - even 70 years late!

What children's book inspired you?

The books which boys should read (picked by a school librarian!)

Comments

[Helen]

Are there really schools without libraries? And then we wonder why we have failing schools....

[Cathy]

After reading what passes for 'informed' opinion on these boards, I'd like to propose to Sarah that we could perhaps have a post on 'How I would improve education from inside the classroom' for those armchair teachers who are so anxious to give us all the benefit of their (in-) experience!

Shall I start? I'd like to exclude from the classroom every child who can't behave properly by the age of five due to incompetent parenting. I'd also like to exclude the child of any parent who threatens or intimidates school personnel, or in any way seriously undermines the authority of the teacher. That would get rid of those who don't want to be there and give teachers a chance to concentrate on doing the job they're paid for. And then we'd be back to how things were when I started out - happy children, teachers getting on with educating them and parents not feeling obliged to get so hysterical.

[Cathy]

Sorry - enveloped by a red mist, I posted on the wrong subject above.

Helen - the article was referring to primary schools, I think. All primary schools have some sort of library but not necessarily run by a librarian or organised on recognisable library-like lines. I agree that they should, but since when has primary education mattered (except occasionally as a stick to beat teachers with)?

[JollySwagman]

Australian schools have had libraries since they were introduced by a Federal Government initiative many year ago, to support "resource based learning". They cost a fortune to run and the bookstock becomes quickly outdated. They now often house computers, where the real resource based learning takes place.

They continue to be run by a librarian on teacher pay and holidays, generally with at least one assistant - a massive waste of resource. Likewise the children's library section of public libraries, which is unused most of the time - well obviously - the kids aren't there - they are at school. There needs to be co-ordination between public and school library funding to avoid all this waste.

[Angela from Epping, Sydney]

Jollyswagman - thank goodness most Aussie parents don't agree with you. Our school librarian is a highly valued source of literary inspiration (with the best will in world, it is hard to keep abreast of children's literature the way she can) and the children's section of our local library is busy most mornings (toddlers) and all evening after school (schoolchildren). I assume you don't have school-age children or go to the library much.

[pete]

cathy you are so right - i taught for 30 years - and how the 'good' kids suffered because of those who took a hugely disproportionate amount of my time. a criminal waste of more than one generation of children- and it goes on because no-one will dare grasp the nettle.

[pete]

and where precisely will young kids whose homes have only got DVDs/games consoles get the chance to be exposed to the wonder of books if you remove school libraries _ absolutely crucial in primary schools.....but beginning to be questionnable in secondary schools.

[Jos]

Our school had the problem that their library stock was very out of date and the library was under-used so they resolved this by splitting the library. They now how one for KS 1 and one for KS2 and the stock of books is ever-changing due to a very active parent fund-raising team. In addition following huge renovations the school now has an 'Investigate Space' which houses the brand-new non-fiction collection - not just books, but DVDs and CD-ROM as well. The school employs a dedicated staff member to manage the collections and it is brilliant - my children use it daily. Yes, schools definitely need libraries - it's just that defining what kind of space a library is needs creative thinking and flexibility.

[Cathy]

Pete: thanks for the back-up - afraid I posted in quite the wrong place, though!

I think we have to be careful defining 'libraries', especially in primary schools. I've been a supply teacher for twenty years and have worked in literally dozens of schools; I've never yet come across one that didn't have what was referred to as a 'library'. I was once even given a scale 2 (that dates me!!) for Language and Library. My point is that primary schools may not have proper libraries in the sense of having a dedicated and qualified librarian and books catalogued according to the Dewey system, but they all (I hope) have books available for children's personal use, even if only classroom-based rather than centralised.

[John Ledbury]

Of course schools need libraries, how else are they to practise running about screaming in a room full of computers called a public library

[Clare]

Yes, Helen, and others, I'm afraid there really are schools without libraries! Headteachers have the power to decide whether their school "needs" a library - and a librarian, and can act even when staff, parents and pupils object.
There is currently a national campaign, spearheaded by children's author Alan Gibbons, petitioning government to ensure that all schools have a library and a qualified librarian to run it. If you agree that all our school children should have the same rights as prisoners - namely, to have access to a library, please sign Alan's petition at http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/literacy/

[Joyce Martin]

I agree, librarians are essential members of the school staff and their role is expanding. They don’t just have to think about the contents and care of the physical library these days but also the online library. Children, even from a young age these days, may be highly Internet savvy but their information literacy skills are not necessarily well developed. They need the school librarian to show them how to navigate information on the web to help them find quality and trustworthy sources for their work. They need the school librarian to provide them with trusted online resources which they can access 24/7 from wherever they are. If you want to see what a lot of school librarians are buying for their online libraries take a look at www.jcs.nen.gov.uk

[Amy McDougall]

I am a school and community librarian working in a campus school encompassing a nursery, primary and secondary school, as well as a public library. I believe this allows for pupils (and parents) to become familiar with library resources and how to utilise them effectively. My role is very different from that of the school librarian at the school I attended, the role has developed and is now more multi disciplined.

This school would not have a school librarian if not for the dual purpose of the library and although it is not the perfect arrangement it allows for the schools to have access to a dedicated member of staff and a wider range of resources. The pupils attainment has increased and a genuine love of reading has developed along with familairity with the library environment, hopefully securing library use in the future.

I believe that dual/joint use libraries will become more wide spread, especially in a time of reduced public spending. And that may be no bad thing!

[Helen]

Sad to see a teaching assistant win School Librarian of the Year - surely only qualified staff should be eligible?

[Hard working TA who manages a primary LRC]

How pompous Helen. I may not have a certificate saying qualified librarian with a stamp on it, but I have attended all courses offered to me and taken advice and visits by by an excellent School Library Service, who say I am doing a great job managing our primary school library! If I was a 'qualified' librarian the school I work in couldn't afford to pay me!

What is better a dusty room storing out of date books, junk, old PE kit and the odd recorder, or an attractive, fun, environment full of exciting resources managed by 'just' a TA.

Helen if you are a qualified librarian it is sad to think your only gripe is that
'just' a TA won SCHOOL librarian of the year. Why not feel glad there are dedicated (poorly paid) TA's out there who really do want to promote reading for pleasure and information. If not there won't be the need for qualified librarians in the future as the next generation will not be interested in books or reading. Shortsighted, petty and very sad!
Congratulations Lucy.

[Cathy]

Hard-working TA: Good for you! I think your school is very lucky indeed to have someone like you.