CILIP supports the call for statutory school libraries

CILIP supports the call for statutory school libraries


A small group of people from the Youth and School Libraries Joint Committee are putting together a Libraries for schools manifesto. The text below is the latest draft February 2010:

Every child, at every stage, is entitled to:

• designated library staff able to encourage 'wider reading and reading for pleasure'


• a 'skilled library practitioner' to teach pupils to handle 'information overload', lifelong learning and employers' demand for 'problem-solvers and independent thinkers'


• a safe library environment inside and outside school hours, with help, resources and advice 


• high-quality, wide-ranging, easily accessible resources to support the curriculum, carefully selected to suit their age, learning style and ability


• be valued as an individual, with reading materials 'exploited by a knowledgeable person' to support the whole person.

Every teaching team is entitled to a designated library professional who:

• understands the curriculum and their pastoral needs


• collaborates on curriculum planning and teaching 


• works with other organisations within and beyond the school