Children failing to benefit from poorly planned school libraries

Children are failing to benefit from their school libraries, leading to a wasted opportunity to improve literacy levels and attainment.

According to findings by the School Library Commission (SLC), libraries are very often poorly placed in the school and not included in school development plans.

The Commission has just published a report, School Libraries: A plan for improvement, which shows that whilst libraries promoted reading and access to knowledge, the resource was frequently underutilised. 

Baroness Estelle Morris chaired the report. She said: “For too long school libraries have been an underutilised part of the education landscape. This report aims to show everyone involved in education, from school librarians to central government that a well-managed school library is an essential part of any school’s success. As the school landscape is set to change drastically it is essential that benefits of this vital resource are fully understood.” 

Research from the National Literacy Trust backs up the importance of the place school libraries play in a pupil’s literacy development.

Their study of 17,000 young people found that eight out of ten good readers regularly use the school library.

But, it also shows that 31 per cent of the staff members responsible for the libraries in primary schools do not have any specialist knowledge of children’s literature.

The SLC is now recommending that the contribution the school library makes should be recognised and even endorsed by the Department for Education.  

National Literacy Trust Director, Jonathan Douglas, says: “In the current economic climate, all areas of the school need to work at their optimum levels. School libraries have a central role to play but many are currently not being given the opportunity to fulfil their true potential.”