Kirsten Hume and Lesley Lennon, Education Scotland

1. Document title Transforming lives through learning
The Value of School Libraries
Lesley Lennon, Education Officer, Literacy and English (Primary)
Kirsten Hume, Education Officer, Literacy and English (Secondary)
For Scotland's learners, with Scotland's educators

2. Document title Transforming lives through learning
Introduction
“A library is a place that is a repository of information and gives every citizen
equal access to it. That includes health information. And mental health
information. It's a community space. It's a place of safety, a haven from the
world.”
Neil Gaiman
• School libraries play a key role in school communities.
• School libraries can help to foster wellbeing, support inclusion and equity, raise attainment, and
prepare young people for life and work.
• Libraries will vary in terms of provision, resources, funding levels, support from school leaders.
• ‘How good is our school library?’ and ‘Vibrant Libraries, Thriving Schools’ emphasise the central role
that libraries can play in school improvement planning.
For Scotland's learners, with Scotland's educators

3. Document title For Scotland's learners, with Scotland's educators
School Inspections
From ‘Vibrant Libraries, Thriving Schools, A National Strategy for School Libraries in
Scotland 2018-2023’
• Headteachers and Education Scotland will ensure that the work of the school library is
included in school inspections and inspection results are used to encourage
improvement of the service.
• Inspectors will look at the contribution of the library to wellbeing, inclusion and
achievement across the curriculum.
For Scotland's learners, with Scotland's educators

4. Document title For Scotland's learners, with Scotland's educators
Wellbeing
• The library has a role in contributing to improved health and
wellbeing.
• It is a safe, welcoming and nurturing space for all learners.
• Library staff are sensitive to the individual needs of children and
young people and have an understanding of wellbeing and
children’s rights.
• The library provides access to resources which offer guidance on a
range of health and wellbeing topics.
• The library offers a programme of events and activities to support
general wellbeing and increase opportunities for cultural
participation.
• Learners gain a sense of belonging and confidence, as well as
developing skills for work, when adopting leadership roles such as
reading ambassadors, paired reading partners, library volunteers…
For Scotland's learners, with Scotland's educators

5. Document title Transforming lives through learning
Inclusion
• A supportive, inclusive and flexible school library can support
equity within the school environment.
• Librarians provide tailored support for children and young people
and access to resources which explore, for example, diversity
and multi-faith issues.
• Resources (including media and films) are kept updated, chosen
in consultation with pupils and reflect issues relevant to pupils’
lives e.g. anxiety, other languages, LGBTI…
• School librarians work closely with learning support departments
to ensure that families and carers are aware of the support that
the library offers.
• Libraries encourage parents to play, talk and read with children
from an early stage, as well as providing support during transition
periods.
“…the library helps you to
see, not only that you are
not alone, but that you're
not really any different
from everyone else.”
Maya Angelou
For Scotland's learners, with Scotland's educators

6. Document title For Scotland's learners, with Scotland's educators
Attainment and Achievement
• School libraries are an interdisciplinary resource and can support Curriculum for
Excellence in many ways.
• The library works in partnership with teachers and other staff, parents, carers and wider
stakeholders to provide quality learning experiences for all pupils.
• There is a clear focus on developing literacy, numeracy, health and wellbeing, creativity,
digital and employability skills in library led learning activities.
• Library staff have high expectations of learners’ attainment and achievement.
• Learners’ achievements in the library are recorded and recognised.
• The library provides access to a diverse range of careers resources.
For Scotland's learners, with Scotland's educators

7. Document title For Scotland's learners, with Scotland's educators
How can Education Scotland help?
• Sharing resources, case studies and professional development opportunities on the
National Improvement Hub and Glow.
• Support school librarians with STEM provision alongside teachers and other education
practitioners, in particular those working with primary schools and early years.
• Extend a dedicated platform on Education Scotland’s National Improvement Hub to
school librarians to share digital learning resources with other education practitioners.
• National Literacy Network, 12th November – key documents (‘Vibrant Libraries, Thriving
Schools’ and ‘How good is our school library?’) will be shared with literacy leaders and
time allocated for discussion of libraries and their role in schools.
• We are currently working with librarians to produce professional learning resources
focused on the use of ‘How good is our school library?’
For Scotland's learners, with Scotland's educators

8. Document title For Scotland's learners, with Scotland's educators
Education Scotland
Denholm House
Almondvale Business Park
Almondvale Way
Livingston EH54 6GA
T +44 (0)131 244 5000
E enquiries@educationscotland.gsi.gov.uk
For Scotland's learners, with Scotland's educators