Books For Keeps
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Articles
  • Past Issues
  • Latest Issue
  • Authors and Artists
  • Latest News
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
November 1, 2009/in Editorial /by Richard Hill
This article is featured in BfK 179 November 2009
This article is in the Editorial Category

Editorial 179: November 2009

Author: Rosemary Stones

‘It is a national scandal that less than a third of secondary schools has a trained librarian,’ states The Campaign for the Book which demands, ‘an extension of the role of the school librarian and a recognition of the school library as a key engine of learning’ as well as ‘all staff employed in school libraries to have access to appropriate and adquate support and training.’ Amen to all that.

In this issue of BfK following on from Lucy Shepherd’s article on literary activities in her school (BfK No.178), Karen Hans explains the importance of the role of the school librarian and reminds us of the need for The Campaign for the Book when ‘too many schools today are without properly qualified Librarians and/or properly resourced libraries’ (see Briefing).

The future of school libraries is increasingly under threat as politicians search for measures to cut public spending. Writer Alan Gibbons, founder of The Campaign for the Book, has pointed out that, ‘It is statutory to have prison libraries but not school libraries. We believe prisons should have libraries and can’t see why it is not statutory to have libraries in secondary schools.’ Public libraries are statutory but, as Tricia Adams, Chief Executive of the School Library Association, says, ‘not all schools are near them so a school library may be the only time a child can access them’. And that’s not taking into account the potential for liaison and integration with teaching and learning that is possible when there is a school librarian with good resources at their disposal on the staff. A school librarian should be seen as one of a school’s basic essentials.

Jonathan Douglas, Chief Executive of the National Literacy Trust, is calling for the appointment of a school library tzar to champion the service. The Campaign for the Book is also demanding that school libraries become a statutory requirement and Alan Gibbons has launched a petition to the Prime Minister asking that libraries be made mandatory in UK schools. The petition must be signed by 11 December. Please support this crucially important campaign on behalf of all our children by adding your name to the petition. Go to http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/literacy. For the latest information on The Campaign for the Book go to www.alangibbons.net.

Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail
http://booksforkeeps.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/bfklogo.png 0 0 Richard Hill http://booksforkeeps.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/bfklogo.png Richard Hill2009-11-01 10:00:592021-11-21 15:02:37Editorial 179: November 2009
BfK 254 May 2022 Download BfK Issue BfK 254 May 2022
Skip to an Issue:

Related Articles

Editorial 254: May 2022
BfK 254 May 2022
Editorial 253: March 2022
BfK 253 March 2022
Editorial 252: January 2022
BfK 252 January 2022
Editorial 251: November 2021
BfK 251 November 2021
Guest Editorial 250: September 2021
BfK 250 September 2021
Editorial 249: July 2021
BfK 249 July 2021
Life-Changing Libraries: Making a start
BfK 249 July 2021
Guest Editorial 248: May 2021
BfK 248 May 2021

About Us

Launched in 1980, we’ve reviewed hundreds of new children’s books each year and published articles on every aspect of writing for children.

Read More

Follow Us

Latest News

Shortlist for the 2022 SLA Information Book Award

June 23, 2022

2022 Yoto Carnegie Greenaway Winners Announced

June 16, 2022

UK Nominations for IBBY’s List of Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities 2023

June 14, 2022

Contact Us

Books for Keeps,
30 Winton Avenue,
London,
N11 2AT

Telephone: 0780 789 3369

ISSN: 0143-909X (this is our International Standard Serial Number).

© Copyright 2022 - Books For Keeps | Proudly Built by Lemongrass Media - Web Design Buckinghamshire
Christmas Books 2009 Classics in Short No.79: When We Were Very Young
Scroll to top