In this blog we’ll be looking at what today’s school libraries contribute to the schools they are a part of, the impact they have on pupils and where they’re going in the future.
This time, we gain insight into the library at Woodhouse Primary Academy, Birmingham, by speaking to English Lead, Katie Wynne, and Headteacher, Oliver Wilson.
Firstly, Katie shared the current school library provision and her plans for the future.
Could you give us an outline of your school library provision?
We have a good sized space with a range of shelving and seating styles to accommodate all our students from reception to Year 6 – and includes a Reading Throne! It is a 1930s build so has high ceilings with natural light and a range of artwork on the walls (from previous projects the student have been involved in). One whole wall is a Blackboard containing first lines and quotes from books – this is changeable and is generated by students and staff to ensure it remains current.
The stock includes AR banding, a range of information books linked to the curriculum and a wide range of fiction for all abilities. Book collections from the library are circulated through school into classroom reading areas too – these are regularly updated with different stock from the main library.
What are your plans for the library for the rest of this year?
Reading for pleasure has been a real push, so £10k was invested in new stock this year. This was to update existing collections, buying latest releases and adding books students have asked for. Our priority is to maximise borrowing of this stock. We also plan to reintroduce pupil library helpers.
Which departments do you work with?
We work across the whole school, with all staff and pupils.
What are your training priorities for this year?
Effective use of AR, and to help ensure that children have access to ability appropriate reads. We also want to encourage staff knowledge of stock and confidence in recommendations.
Do you have pupil library helpers, and if so what do they help you do?
Not at the moment – but, as previously mentioned, it's an area for development.
Next, Oliver explained why the library is such an important part of their school and why it's worth the investment...
What impact does your school library have?
Reading – it is often those children with the worst reading experiences who we see impacted by the library the most. They are the ones taken there as an opportunity to give them new, more positive reading experiences.
Wellbeing – our overflow libraries (reading areas) help different groups of children to share the reading experience together – for example Year 6 with Year 3 – role modelling reading. Connections between children through reading enable positive relationship with each other.
The library offers a safe space, the chance to use reading as an escape when you are not the child who wants to go and play football in the playground.
The library space is purposeful – lots of reading happens in our school. It aids relaxation, and reading as an activity is used as a reward not a punishment! Given permission to read is seen as such a treat!
Our curriculum entitlement – the key things our children are going to learn – includes the opportunity to read beyond what is taught in class. The library is essential to this and allows children who want to take their learning further to read.
Information literacy – this is not a strength due to staffing limitations. If budget were not a concern, that is definitely something I would invest in – an information professional to support students in developing their research skills. We do however have reading partners who volunteer to read with our children.
We celebrate ALL reading – not just the best or keenest readers, but we also celebrate improvement – our star reader can be for various reasons. We use AR and prove the impact too.
There are many competing demands for budget and staffing. Why do you invest in the library?
Reading unlocks every other subject and a range of books which enable all children, irrespective of background, to consider new places, people, events and situations is key.
We want to be a reading school – some students do not have access to books at home (we have 50% Pupil Premium) and for those who do, they can’t possibly have the range of stock that our library holds. The library gives the opportunity to offer a range of stock, books children wouldn’t necessarily pick up, and stops it being simply parents sharing the books they know, not what is current and new.
There may be people reading this and wondering if their school library is good… for you, what are the key indicators of a good library?
For many people it might be that a tidy library is a sign it is good. For me, the success of our library is shown in how it is often a mess – showing it is used and owned by the children.
When I started at the school, the library was secured by a locked door! It is now freely accessible to all and in constant use, with staff often competing for timetabled time in there. There is not a not a second of the day it is not in use. I believe THAT is the sign it is effective.
The SLA is looking to build strong school libraries for the future – what do you think the role of school libraries will be in 5-10 years?
I think school libraries will be even more crucial in the next 10 years - physical books will be even more important in the age of AI. There is something wonderful about the physical action of opening a book and turning the pages which is important to keep hold of. AI might be useful in information terms – but AI is just reading at speed!
This makes the role of the librarian ever more important – far more skills than just ‘here’s a book!’. It is championing new stock and giving appropriate recommendations.
Schools with less money are in danger of having book stock which becomes stale, they risk the library lacking engagement and excitement.
If you’d like to, we’d also welcome feedback on the school library from a governor
Laura Martin, Parent and Reading Volunteer, Woodhouse Primary Academy and Trustee, Greenheart Learning Partnership, said: "Reading is something which I care about, talk about and advocate for whenever I can – with my own children and for the benefit of our school communities as a Trustee. It’s brilliant to see a library and dedicated reading spaces within school, which give pupils better opportunities to explore books and learn to love reading, as well as providing a great space for the whole school community.”
For more resources on why school libraries matter, click here.
The School Library Association (SLA) is a charity which supports schools develop their school library, establish a reading culture and deliver independent learning skills. We believe that all schools should have their own (or shared) staffed library to help all children and young people fulfil their potential. To support our work please donate here.