'We're Very Book Rich': The Impact of School Library Services on Reading, Resourcing and Reducing Inequality

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Bibliographic Details
Title: 'We're Very Book Rich': The Impact of School Library Services on Reading, Resourcing and Reducing Inequality
Language: English
Authors: Lucy Taylor (ORCID 0000-0001-7336-8189), Paula Clarke (ORCID 0000-0002-2541-7051)
Source: Literacy. 2025 59(3):283-292.
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 10
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, School Libraries, Library Materials, Library Role, Library Services, Equal Education, Access to Information, User Needs (Information)
Geographic Terms: United Kingdom (Leeds)
DOI: 10.1111/lit.70007
ISSN: 1741-4350
1741-4369
Abstract: School library services (SLSs) provide curriculum resources and expertise to schools. Changes in educational policy have affected the resourcing and security of these services. This article reports on a United Kingdom Literacy Association (UKLA)-funded case study of one SLS co-designed with two librarians from the service. The aims were to investigate the role and impact of the service and to identify priorities for the development of the service. Data were collected using a mixed-methods approach, through an online survey to 226 schools (67 responses representing 43 schools received) and semi-structured interviews with teachers and senior leaders from 3 schools. Two phases of data analysis were conducted: the first was deductive coding to inform a service impact report, and the second was reflexive thematic analysis conducted independently of the partner SLS, the results of which are discussed here. The data showed that the value of SLSs should not be underestimated. The responses evidenced that services were vital to ensuring a sustainable book-rich curriculum and provided a valuable source of curriculum and literacy expertise, which supported teacher's professional development. This study indicates that the loss of SLSs in many parts of England could be of significant detriment to teachers and children and raises concerns about equality of access to books.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1483291
Database: ERIC
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