For Better or Worse? School Libraries in the UK: Problems and Developments.
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| Title: | For Better or Worse? School Libraries in the UK: Problems and Developments. |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Conway, Vida |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 11 |
| Publication Date: | 1996 |
| Document Type: | Reports - Descriptive Speeches/Meeting Papers |
| Descriptors: | Course Integrated Library Instruction, Educational Finance, Elementary Secondary Education, Foreign Countries, Government Role, Improvement, Librarian Attitudes, Library Administration, Library Collections, Library Education, Library Personnel, Library Role, Problems, School Libraries, Standards, Teacher Attitudes |
| Geographic Terms: | United Kingdom, United Kingdom (England), United Kingdom (Wales) |
| Abstract: | This paper discusses the problems and difficulties faced by school libraries in the United Kingdom (UK), specifically England and Wales. These problems are lack of funding, lack of a central role in the curriculum, lack of a central role in the management structure, and inadequate staffing. Lack of library funding stems from overall under-funding of schools and the failure of some schools to see the essential role of the library as a curricular support. In addition, use of the library is not featured much, if at all, in training programs for teachers in the UK, and combined with inadequate library holdings, result in under-used libraries. In the UK, there is no standard qualification or initial training for a teacher-librarian; some teachers are expected to manage the school library in addition to maintaining a full teaching load. The paper also discusses significant publications that have stressed the urgency of improving school libraries and provides suggestions and guidelines for achieving those improvements; the government role in the management of schools, school libraries, and implementation of a National Curriculum; initiatives in library training through National Vocational Qualifications; and examples of recent projects and achievements for school libraries in the UK. (Contains 12 references.) (SWC) |
| Entry Date: | 1997 |
| Accession Number: | ED400835 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | This paper discusses the problems and difficulties faced by school libraries in the United Kingdom (UK), specifically England and Wales. These problems are lack of funding, lack of a central role in the curriculum, lack of a central role in the management structure, and inadequate staffing. Lack of library funding stems from overall under-funding of schools and the failure of some schools to see the essential role of the library as a curricular support. In addition, use of the library is not featured much, if at all, in training programs for teachers in the UK, and combined with inadequate library holdings, result in under-used libraries. In the UK, there is no standard qualification or initial training for a teacher-librarian; some teachers are expected to manage the school library in addition to maintaining a full teaching load. The paper also discusses significant publications that have stressed the urgency of improving school libraries and provides suggestions and guidelines for achieving those improvements; the government role in the management of schools, school libraries, and implementation of a National Curriculum; initiatives in library training through National Vocational Qualifications; and examples of recent projects and achievements for school libraries in the UK. (Contains 12 references.) (SWC) |
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