What is a school library - today and in the future?
What functions should a school library have? We ask ourselves this question to direct work on the expansion of our library. Have changes in access to information transformed the need of a room filled with books, card indexes and library cards? eReaders, ebooks, unlimited access to information in your mobile phone could redefine what a school library should be. Does the library necessarily have to be a specific place or should a library be available where learning takes place, in other words wherever the pupil is?
Love of reading and information skills
We have identified two central functions for our school library: love of reading and information skills. These functions support pupils’ learning and knowledge development. One important and decisive feature of our work to build up the school library is pupil participation. You can follow the whole idea and work behind it in the blog 21st Century Skolbibliotek.
Media and resources
During the course of the year we will be building up our Tower of Babel with various books, including factual literature and literature for different age groups. We will also be decorating The Orchard with a journal wall and a space to relax and read in. We will be holding book talks, paying monthly visits to the library, blogging about our reading experiences to spread enthusiasm for reading and discussing which books and magazines we want to subscribe to before we order. The pupils’ computers are powerful tools for the creation of different media: film, sound and animations are part of this media landscape. Equipment such as cameras and tripods along with a space to watch film, The Cinema, are also part of our library. We use digital platforms for publication and collaborative learning.
An action plan for digital literacy is being formulated and will permeate all our activities at school to ensure that all pupils have the opportunity to develop the skills they need. These include searching for information, critical awareness, creativity, analytical skills and the understanding of various forms of media in a complex world of digital media through the culture and information sharing of the net. This is an obvious task for the educator and we must all have this competence to direct learning.
The Swedish Agency for Education definition of a school library
A common and structured resource of media and information provided to students and teachers available through skilled personnel. School libraries are part of the school's educational activities to support student learning. School libraries can thus be regarded both as a material resource that is part of a school's teaching materials and equipment, as well as a function that actively contributes to the development of knowledge and provision of a service.