Great school libraries and librarians can make a positive impact on learning, teaching, and the whole school. They support students by developing independent learning, literacy skills, and digital skills. They support teachers through curriculum resources, collaboration on lessons, and professional development. They benefit the whole school by creating inspiring learning spaces, supporting wellbeing, and being a community hub. Research shows schools with strong library programs see higher test scores, engagement, and overall achievement from students.

1. Great School Libraries!
Powering teaching, learning and literacy
Festival of Education
Nick Poole, CEO, CILIP
21 June 2019

2. I’m here to get you excited
about great school libraries
(and librarians) and the
difference they can make to
your school, your students
and you.
Source: Wollaston School © 2019 https://www.wollastonschool.com/about/school-ethos/

3. But first, some myth busting…

4. “Nobody uses
libraries
anymore….”
 Across the UK, libraries support more than
220m in-person visits and 90m online each year
 Libraries serve roughly the same number of
people every working day as the NHS
 Fastest-growing user group for libraries is young
people aged 15-24
 Libraries have a more diverse audience than
any other cultural service

5. “It’s all online
nowadays….”
 It isn’t (<14% of books and <8% of journals)
 Students need high-quality spaces to learn as
well as access to physical resources and
information – different formats suit different
uses
 A great school librarian builds digital skills
including expert searching, staying safe online,
media and information literacy

6. “We can’t afford
it….”
 Times are challenging, but there are lots of
options for cash-strapped schools to access the
support of a professional librarian
 A great school librarian will more than repay
the investment the school makes in their role,
creating new opportunities, improving
outcomes, improving ‘value-added’ for
students, supporting teachers and better
parent relations

7. Great school libraries and
librarians deliver…
Support for
learners
and
learning
Support for
teachers
and
teaching
Support for
the whole
school

8. Support for
learners
and
learning
Support for
teachers
and
teaching
Support for
the whole
school

9. Developing independent learners
Lucy Atherton, Wellington College Librarian, has developed a programme designed to support students in becoming independent learners. Yr9 students
are taught ICT and information skills and supported to deliver 3 self-directed mini-projects. They are encouraged to take risks, fail and learn. Y10 students
are supported with the HPQ and all A-Level students do the EPQ. The large cohort of IB students to the academically-rigorous Extended Essay.

10. Helping the transition from P2 to S1…
Copyright © Renfrew High School 2019

11. Developing a reading culture
The Lauriston Library at the Mary Irskine School, Edinburgh where the librarian collaborated with teaching staff to “make reading a whole school concern”

12. “Libraries matter because they are powerhouses of
information in a tangible form which act as the intellectual
hub of any school. They provide a distinct location at the
heart of school life for research, study or reading for
enjoyment, and as a venue for visiting authors or school
debates. They help to promote a culture of inquiry and
learning quintessential to a meaningful education.”
Mr Gray, Principal, Erskine Stewart’s Melville Schools

13. School librarians can…
Identify struggling readers & provide skill-appropriate reading material for them
Teach students how to choose books they like
Support students with special needs
Promote access to books and the positive benefits thereof
Make books and reading socially-acceptable
Read to students beyond early years
Facilitate meaningful reading time

14. Emma Suffield, Librarian, St Wilfrid’s C of E Academy,
Blackburn:
Works with teachers to support the development of
media and information literacy skills
Provides library lessons on information literacy, fake
news, academic honesty and plagiarism
Provides 1-2-1 help for students to support the
development of media and information literacy skills
Delivered a 450% increase in book borrowing across the
school

15. Preston Lodge Learning Foundation Library where all students participate in regular information skills and career Library Lessons
Careers advice and skills

16. Developing Digital skills
Lucas Maxwell, Librarian, Glenthorne High School, London Borough of
Sutton:
Evangelises the role of technology in education
Ensures access to equipment, PC’s and technology in the library
Organises virtual author and careers sessions via twitter and Skype
Supports digital activities, coding and making

17. Promoting health and wellbeing
Mairead Duggan, Librarian, Mount Carmel Secondary School,
Belfast
Leads sessions on mindfulness, relaxation and yoga to help
her students gain the resilience and self-esteem they need
to fulfil their potential

18. Support for
learners
and
learning
Support for
teachers
and
teaching
Support for
the whole
school

19. www.fosil.org.uk

20. www.fosil.org.uk

21. Supporting curriculum-based teaching
Copyright © Alison Kennedy. All Rights Reserved 2019
Alison Kennedy, Head Librarian at St George’s
College Ascot:
Provides regular subject updates to teaching
staff across the school
Is the school’s Extended Project Qualification
(EPQ) Coordinator
Teaches sessions on fake news, academic
honesty and plagiarism
Runs a Murder Mystery that can only be
solved by developing research skills!

22. Supporting induction & CPD of new staff
Librarian of the Year Nominee Helen Cleaves, Librarian at Kingston Grammar School, welcomes new teaching staff with a croissant & an intro to the library!

23. Support for
learners
and
learning
Support for
teachers
and
teaching
Support for
the whole
school

24. Chantal Kelleher, Librarian, Herne Bay High School:
Has established her library as a true hub at the heart of
the school
Runs Scrabble, Chess, Games, Homework and other
clubs as well as lunchtime craft activities connected to
curriculum-based activities
Leads reading groups, runs an active programme of
author visits and lectures

25. Inspiring learning spaces…Whole school ethos…

26. Inspiring learning spaces…
School Library, Oakham School © Oakham School 2019

27. World Book Day…
School Library, Pershore School © Pershore School 2019

28. Special spaces…
Southbrook School (a special school in Exeter) has a library on a converted double-decker bus run by librarian Sophie Chalmers

29. Full-time professional librarian
A great school
Impact of School Libraries on Learning, SLIC https://scottishlibraries.org/media/1211/impact-of-school-libraries-on-learning-2013.pdf

30. Full-time professional librarian
A great school
Senior Management support
Financial support
Staffing support
Impact of School Libraries on Learning, SLIC https://scottishlibraries.org/media/1211/impact-of-school-libraries-on-learning-2013.pdf

31. Full-time professional librarian
A great school
Senior Management support
Financial support
Staffing support
Library collection & access
Providing large, high-quality,
multi-format reading and
information collection in library, in
classroom & beyond school day
Networked technology
Providing computers with internet
& remote access to library
catalogue and digital resources
Instruction by librarian
Developing critical independent
information users, (safe) digital
ninjas and enthusiastic readers
Librarian/teacher collab
Planning, developing and
evaluating instruction with
teachers. Contributing to whole
school priorities. Liaising with
external colleagues and agencies.
Supporting teacher professional
development
Impact of School Libraries on Learning, SLIC https://scottishlibraries.org/media/1211/impact-of-school-libraries-on-learning-2013.pdf

32. Full-time professional librarian
A great school
Senior Management support
Financial support
Staffing support
Library collection & access
Providing large, high-quality,
multi-format reading and
information collection in library, in
classroom & beyond school day
Networked technology
Providing computers with internet
& remote access to library
catalogue and digital resources
Instruction by librarian
Developing critical independent
information users, (safe) digital
ninjas and enthusiastic readers
Librarian/teacher collab
Planning, developing and
evaluating instruction with
teachers. Contributing to whole
school priorities. Liaising with
external colleagues and agencies.
Supporting teacher professional
development
Higher scores in
standardised tests in
reading, writing, maths,
history and science
Greater media and
information literacy skills
Positive emotional
responses from students
Greater student
engagement
Lower attainment gap
Improved overall
achievement and results
Improved wellbeing for staff
and students
Impact of School Libraries on Learning, SLIC https://scottishlibraries.org/media/1211/impact-of-school-libraries-on-learning-2013.pdf

33. What you can do….
If you have a school librarian, go and talk to them!
Think of a collaborative project you could do with the library
Encourage your colleagues to do the same
If you don’t have a school librarian, think about making the case to get one!
If you can’t afford it, consider approaching your Schools Library Service
Go to http://greatschoollibraries.edublogs.org to find out more