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Morris to chair commission on school libraries
27.01.10 | Benedicte Page
A commission to examine the future of school library provision in England is being launched by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) and the National Literacy Trust (NLT).
The commission will be chaired by former secretary of state for education and skills Estelle Morris and will deliver its findings in June.
With the number of pupils with school libraries provision dropping from 88% to 66% in the 10 years to 1997, "an evidence based examination of the school library in the education landscape is urgently required", said the MLA and NLT.
"A fresh and imaginative approach to redefining the role of the school library" is also needed, the bodies said.
The commission will focus on the definition and role of a modern school library, how it can be most effectively provided, and what a national improvement agenda for school libraries should be. It will ask schools, local authorities, education professionals and "any organisation or individual interested in the future of school libraries" to submit their views and ideas.
MLA chief executive Roy Clare said the school library service plays "a vital role" in children's access to reading and learning and that the commission was being launched "to answer current inconsistencies in the school library services and to offer effective examples and support for school libraries in the future."
NLT director Jonathan Douglas said: "A resource as important as this needs to be rediscovered in the context of a changing educational landscape."
Morris will be joined on the commission by Peter Wanless, chief executive of the Big Lottery Fund, Jean Gross, director of Every Child a Reader, and Catherine Blanshard, chief officer of libraries, arts and heritage for Leeds City Council.
Childrens author and library campaigner Alan Gibbons recently received more than 5,700 signatures to a petition to make school libraries statutory.
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I think this is an extremely positive development. Estelle Morris is fondly remembered by many in the teaching profession as one of the more open and thoughtful Secretaries of State for Education. Many proponents of school library provision were disappointed that our petition was not treated to a more respectful reply. A mere restatement of policy fell far short of the kind of creative debate we need. Hopefully, the new commission will fill this gap and open up the intellectual space for a productive discussion of school libraries.
This is brilliant news - all school librarians will be delighted to read this. We look forward to the findings and hearing the results.
Yes - let's hope that after over 5,000 people signed up to the Downing Street petition to make school libraries statutory, led and inspired by Alan Gibbons' Campaign for the Book, we get some commitment to ensuring a standard of provision to which all our students are entitled. CILIP's School Libraries Group will also be represented.
I would hope that the "redefining" does not overlook the fantastic work already being done across the country by wonderful professional librarians. We should go beyond the "room of resources" model and move closer towards the reading development, information literacy teaching and creative use technology seen in the best North American, NZ and Australian school libraries - English schools are generally way behind. Poor school library provision in this country is one of the reasons our students are struggling with literacy!
Instead of pursuing pointless aims like making school libraries statutory (as if that would somehow make them useful or good), those in favour of school libraries should concentrate on showing their senior colleagues in schools how a library/learning resource or whatever it may be called, can add value to teaching and also help pupils to develop the self-directed learning that they will need at university. This will not be achieved by commissions set up by producer interests.
I agree with Anne Robinson, lets aim high and endeavour to catch up with all the fantastic work America and Australia have been doing to equip their students for the 21st century.
I'm delighted to learn of this development. I endorse the views expressed here by Alan Gibbons. I know that all of us on the SLA team will give our whole hearted support to the commission and look forward to reflecting on its findings and reading the final report.
The importance of a school library to students' learning and teachers' teaching is vital indeed but even more so is the role of a school librarian. To have professional and dedicated library staff is crucial to the success of implementing effective and efficient school libraries. The setting up of this commission must be applauded. This is the first step to identify and change existing shortcomings. Thank you. School Librarian - Hong Kong
This is fantastic news. Please remember School Library Services in your discussions because they will be invaluable in providing support to schools in enabling them to set up successful school libraries
I look forward to being able to submit my ideas for KS 1 and 2, gained from my exprience as an Infant School Librarian of 7 years standing and as a Junior School Librarian in my present post.
I think this is an extremely positive development. Estelle Morris is fondly remembered by many in the teaching profession as one of the more open and thoughtful Secretaries of State for Education. Many proponents of school library provision were disappointed that our petition was not treated to a more respectful reply. A mere restatement of policy fell far short of the kind of creative debate we need. Hopefully, the new commission will fill this gap and open up the intellectual space for a productive discussion of school libraries.
This is brilliant news - all school librarians will be delighted to read this. We look forward to the findings and hearing the results.
Yes - let's hope that after over 5,000 people signed up to the Downing Street petition to make school libraries statutory, led and inspired by Alan Gibbons' Campaign for the Book, we get some commitment to ensuring a standard of provision to which all our students are entitled. CILIP's School Libraries Group will also be represented.
I would hope that the "redefining" does not overlook the fantastic work already being done across the country by wonderful professional librarians. We should go beyond the "room of resources" model and move closer towards the reading development, information literacy teaching and creative use technology seen in the best North American, NZ and Australian school libraries - English schools are generally way behind. Poor school library provision in this country is one of the reasons our students are struggling with literacy!
Instead of pursuing pointless aims like making school libraries statutory (as if that would somehow make them useful or good), those in favour of school libraries should concentrate on showing their senior colleagues in schools how a library/learning resource or whatever it may be called, can add value to teaching and also help pupils to develop the self-directed learning that they will need at university. This will not be achieved by commissions set up by producer interests.
I agree with Anne Robinson, lets aim high and endeavour to catch up with all the fantastic work America and Australia have been doing to equip their students for the 21st century.
I'm delighted to learn of this development. I endorse the views expressed here by Alan Gibbons. I know that all of us on the SLA team will give our whole hearted support to the commission and look forward to reflecting on its findings and reading the final report.
The importance of a school library to students' learning and teachers' teaching is vital indeed but even more so is the role of a school librarian. To have professional and dedicated library staff is crucial to the success of implementing effective and efficient school libraries. The setting up of this commission must be applauded. This is the first step to identify and change existing shortcomings. Thank you. School Librarian - Hong Kong
This is fantastic news. Please remember School Library Services in your discussions because they will be invaluable in providing support to schools in enabling them to set up successful school libraries
I look forward to being able to submit my ideas for KS 1 and 2, gained from my exprience as an Infant School Librarian of 7 years standing and as a Junior School Librarian in my present post.