Section 3 Schools Library Service & School Librarians
3.1 Introduction
Student teachers may not have considered the use of the school library, and may be unaware of the existence of the Schools Library Service. Likewise, they may not realise that children do need to be taught library skills, and that this may include e-technology. Note: Many school libraries are now known as ‘Learning Resource Centres’ ‘LRC’ or ‘open learning centres’.
Student teachers could be asked to appraise the school library whilst on placement, and to discuss how schools use the Schools Library Service.
The SLS provides support for all phases of education. Schools have to subscribe to benefit from the provision. This is at the discretion of the Head and the cost is based upon the number of pupils on roll.
3.2 What the Schools Library Service can do
The Schools Library Service can provide:
- ‘Health Checks’ for book and library provision, particularly useful to the newly appointed school library co-ordinator
- Topic packs to support themes or particular curriculum areas – though do give them plenty of advance warning for putting the packs together; some topics are in very high demand
- Regularly changed loans of books, tapes, or sets of books for classroom use
- Recommended reads for teachers and children
- Story-telling sessions
- Library skills sessions.
3.3 School Librarians
In Secondary schools, the school librarian is a vital professional colleague, and should not be seen simply as someone who is there to keep the library tidy and support pupils in their homework research. An effective school librarian can make a significant impact on teaching and learning and can motivate and encourage children as readers, in their role as someone who manages and operates a major learning environment used by the whole school community. This will include use of ICT.
Beginning teachers who understand this role will be well placed to work alongside their School Librarian, keeping them informed about both teaching content and pupil needs in order to have a maximum positive impact on learning.
Secondary student teachers could be asked to make investigative visits to the school library, and discuss the role of the librarian in their placement schools. They could also talk with their mentors about how they work with the librarian.
3.4 Summer Reading Game
The Summer Reading Game is a nationwide libraries initiative designed to encourage children to keep reading through the summer holidays. Free to join, each year’s game has a different theme. Children who complete the game by reading six books of their choice receive a certificate and medal. This is a good way for schools to promote library use and to establish good working relationships with local libraries.
3.5 Activity
Working in pairs or groups, ask students to list ways they can think of to:
- Encourage pupils to make more use of both school and local libraries – perhaps make a poster for display in the classroom
- Teach children how to use the library effectively, for a variety of purposes – possibly devise a lesson around one particular skill
- Use the on-site school librarian in a secondary setting, to support learning across the curriculum. Maybe they could produce a list of possible questions to ask either the librarian, a teacher or both, whilst on placement
3.6 Useful links
- School Libraries: Making a Difference:
www.schoollibrariesadvocacy.org.uk
This excellent user-friendly resource gives a very good overview of school libraries and the role of school librarians. The website itself is extremely comprehensive with many useful links.
- School Library Association:
www.sla.org.uk
If you want to know anything at all about school libraries, this is the site to visit. Also very useful for English/Literacy teachers generally.
