The document outlines a national strategy for school libraries in Scotland from 2018-2023. It discusses the background work done in developing the strategy, including advocacy efforts, advisory group membership, and visits to over 30 school libraries. Key challenges identified for school libraries included staffing support, budgets, professional recognition, and demonstrating their value and impact. The strategy's vision is for vibrant school library services that help students gain skills for learning, life and work, and provide a nurturing space. It outlines how school libraries will support areas like the curriculum, literacy, digital skills, health and wellbeing. The next steps are to distribute the strategy widely and establish an implementation group to monitor progress.

1. Vibrant Libraries,
Thriving Schools
A National Strategy for
School Libraries in Scotland 2018-2023
Developing a National Strategy
for School Libraries in Scotland
CILIPS Autumn Gathering
Martina McChrystal, Chair of Advisory Group, Director of
Library Services, University of Glasgow
Lee-Anne Connor, Chair of School Libraries Group Scotland,
SLRC Manager Chryston High School

2. Background
• Advocacy
• Scottish Government Commitment
• Advisory Group membership
• Themes & Working Groups

3. Vibrant Libraries,
Thriving Schools
A National Strategy for
School Libraries in Scotland 2018-2023

4. Vibrant Libraries,
Thriving Schools
A National Strategy for
School Libraries in Scotland 2018-2023

6. Visits Programme
• Over 30 school libraries across Scotland
• Primary/ Secondary, co-located
• Variety of service delivery models
• Pupil voice
• Impact and evidence

7. Advisory Group Role
• Support and promote the professional interests of school
librarians throughout Scotland
• Raise awareness of the role of professional qualified
librarians and the potential of School Library Resource
Centres (SLRC)
School Library Group
Scotland

8. Challenges for School Libraries & Librarians
What are they?
Professional Recognition Staffing Support
Budgets Cuts CPD/Training Qualifications
Job Description Expectations Perceptions
Value/Impact/Influence
School Library Group
Scotland

10. CILIPS/SLG Consultation events
Questions asked:
• What should the Scottish Government’s investment and or influence
be once the Strategy is finished?
• Who or where should the Strategy be aimed at? (Education Leaders,
Key Influencers, Councillors etc)
• What should be the outcome of the Strategy?
• What should not happen as a result of the Strategy?

11. Consultation Feedback/SLG Key Messages
• School Libraries should be included in inspections
• National Job Description and Standards
• Enforcement of Strategy Outcomes
• Better understanding of our Value/Impact/Influence
• Unique job School Librarians do (professional skills/teaching/nurture)
• Stop the decline
• Aim it at Councils, Education Leaders, Heads of Services...
• Needs to be a starting point, not an ending

12. School Librarian Role in the Strategy
• Promote the job school librarians actually do
• Highlight our specialist role
• Ensure there was a School Librarian Voice
• Feedback from Networking events

13. School libraries in Scotland are essential to closing
the attainment gap in schools, support all curriculum
areas, are well-supported by the school
management team and operate under a successful
working model.
School libraries in Scotland contribute to health
literacy, social and mental wellbeing, and provide a
safe, trusted space for children and young people
to be nurtured.
School libraries in Scotland are a key resource and
are central to the implementation of Curriculum for
Excellence, develop pupil skills for the world of work,
and encourage learning that will stay with pupils
throughout their lives.
School libraries in Scotland use digital technology to
deliver high quality and efficient digital learning
experiences for young people, enabling access to
information and creative opportunities.
School libraries in Scotland are central to education for all
ages, develop a culture of reading for pleasure, offer
literacy and numeracy support from Early Learning and
Childcare (ELC) settings through to primary and secondary
schools, and enable opportunities for family learning.
Vision
Scotland will have vibrant school
library services that play a central
role in helping children and young
people gain the knowledge, skills
and attributes needed for learning,
life and work. They will provide a
nurturing space to foster wellbeing
and creativity across the school
community.
Vision & Aims

14. Curriculum, Learner Journey &
Developing the Young Workforce
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15. Information, Digital Literacy & Digital Creativity
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16. Literacy, Numeracy & Family Learning
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Health and Wellbeing

18. Leadership, Standards & Working Models
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19. Next steps
• Distribution to every school in Scotland
• Implementation Group October 2018
• Case studies published
• Monitoring, Evaluation and Review