Researchers highlight the critical role of School Library Services in enriching learning
A new article written by Professor Paula Clarke and Dr Lucy Taylor discusses their research, and the vital role that a well-stocked library plays within schools.
Speaking on the importance of providing students access to school libraries, the article written for The Conversation discusses how these can provide a graduated reading experience which supports and enriches learning throughout a child’s school years.
This article comes after Chancellor Rachel Reeves pledged to ensure that every primary school within England has its own library, committing over £10 million to create new libraries in 1,700 primary schools which do not currently have this service for their students.
A welcome pledge to invest in school library services
Highlighting the importance of these schemes, the article notes that the investment has come at a time where the number of children who read for pleasure is decreasing, and where schools can find that maintaining a welcoming and well-stocked library is a difficult and costly venture.
However, the article speaks optimistically of the future of school libraries, and hails local School Library Services which are typically funded and run by local authorities. These help schools maintain an up-to-date rotation of books curated by expert librarians, provide access to a wide range of titles, and offer a sustainable, affordable, alternative for schools looking to update their own library provisions.
School libraries are a vital resource for enriching learning across the curriculum.
Read more about Dr Lucy Taylor and Dr Paula Clarke’s research into School Library Services here.
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