2. School libraries research
Our school libraries research review demonstrates that school libraries can play a vital role in contributing to pupils’ success.
This research can help you advocate for your school library to support a reading community in your school and ensure the school library is used effectively.
Reference: National Literacy Trust, School Libraries: A literature review on current provision and evidence of impact (2017):

3. Effective school libraries
Research has found that effective school libraries feature the following elements:
Supportive senior leadership team
Supportive staff
Stakeholder collaboration
Good quality physical space
Quality of collection and access to resources
Response to different pupil needs
Funding and budgeting
Integration and promotion
Monitoring and evaluation of impact
Effective school librarian
Quality instruction that supports pupil and teacher needs
Flexible scheduling
Reference: National Literacy Trust, School Libraries: A literature review on current provision and evidence of impact (2017):

4. Effective school libraries
These elements are not an exhaustive list and will vary according to the particular context of your school.
They are interlinked and the absence or presence of one will automatically impact the others.
They provide a useful framework on which to build a school library policy, which will inform the development of your school library service and how pupils make effective use of it.
Reference: National Literacy Trust, School Libraries: A literature review on current provision and evidence of impact (2017):

5. “
Reading enjoyment, behaviour and attitudes are clearly related to reading attainment – children who enjoy reading are nearly three times more likely to read above their expected age level than peers who don’t enjoy reading.
Christina Clark (2017)
Celebrating reading for enjoyment, National Literacy Trust “
Reference: National Literacy Trust, Celebrating reading for enjoyment (2017):

6. Reading for pleasure Reading for enjoyment is linked to:
Better reading outcomes: overall proficiency, vocabulary, comprehension
Better performance in mathematics and science
Higher attainment in school and effective learning
Social outcomes and emotional wellbeing
Research has shown links between reading for pleasure and the school library.
References:
Overall proficiency e.g., OECD. (2011). Are students who enjoy reading better readers? Paris: OECD Publishing. doi: / en
Vocabulary e.g., Sullivan, A., & Brown, M. (2013). Social inequalities in cognitive scores at age of 16: The role of reading (CLS Working Paper 2013/10). London: Centre for Longitudinal Studies, Institute of Education, University College London.
Comprehension see e.g., Mol, S. E. & Jolles, J. (2014). Reading enjoyment amongst non-leisure readers can affect achievement in secondary school. Frontiers in Psychology, 5, doi: /fpsyg
Mathematics and science see e.g., Sullivan, A., & Brown, M. (2015). Reading for enjoyment and progress in vocabulary and mathematics. British Educational Research Journal, 41(6), doi: /berj.3180
Wider learning e.g., OECD. (2011). Do students today read for enjoyment? Paris: OECD Publishing. doi: /5k9h362lhw32-en
Social and emotional outcomes see e.g., Clark, C., & Rumbold, K. (2006). Reading for pleasure: A research overview. From

7. “
The results show that pupils who use the school library are more likely to enjoy reading, see themselves as good readers and think more positively about reading.
National Literacy Trust (2017) “
Reference: National Literacy Trust, School Libraries: A literature review on current provision and evidence of impact (2017):

8. Using the library
Using your school library effectively will help encourage pupils’ reading for pleasure. This could be through:
Timetabled lessons
Break or lunchtime clubs
After school activities
Story time
Author visits and reading celebrations
Activities in the library should be linked to literacy, with a focus on books and reading, storytelling and shared reading experiences.

9. “
School libraries have been found to have an impact on other skills such as wider learning skills (including information-handling competencies and information-seeking skills), history, mathematics and science.
National Literacy Trust (2017) “
Reference: National Literacy Trust, School Libraries: A literature review on current provision and evidence of impact (2017):

10. Information literacy skills
School libraries can facilitate the teaching of information literacy skills to ensure pupils can access information in all its forms.
School librarians are well placed to provide necessary support for pupils in an ever increasingly digital learning environment.
Through information literacy skills lessons, librarians and teachers can work together using the school library as a hub for promoting these hugely valuable skills and ensuring pupils are information literate as well as IT literate.
Reference: National Literacy Trust, School Libraries: A literature review on current provision and evidence of impact (2017):

11. Curriculum
School libraries can provide much needed resources to support the wider curriculum:
The school library collection can be curated to reflect curriculum topics
A school librarian can provide project support and help pupils (and staff) find the information they need
Library lessons can be developed to encourage research skills and help pupils read for purpose
@Literacy_Trust

12. “
One of the most important characteristics of a good school library is a good school librarian.
National Literacy Trust (2017) “
Reference: National Literacy Trust, School Libraries: A literature review on current provision and evidence of impact (2017):

13. Staffing
Many studies have explored the impact of library staffing in particular, and have shown the potential impact of having a fulltime librarian.
A good school librarian will offer a range of support and skills including:
Provide support for pupils and staff
Champion reading for pleasure
Develop library lessons covering a range of reader development and information literacy skills
Purchase and organise the book collection
Share reading recommendations and book knowledge
Engage the whole school community in reading – pupils, staff, parents

14. “
50% of children said that having an attractive and welcoming space was the most common reason for them to use the library.
National Literacy Trust (2017) “
Reference: National Literacy Trust, School Libraries: A literature review on current provision and evidence of impact (2017):

15. The school library environment
The more attractive and welcoming the library space, the more likely children will be to want to use it.
A welcoming library environment can feature:
Appropriate furniture – accessible and practical
Comfortable seating to encourage reading
Workspace for research and homework
Signage to enable pupils to find what they are looking for
Attractive displays promoting reading
Topical displays covering curriculum projects and highlighting resources

16. Charford First School’s library
@Literacy_Trust

17. “
Several personal and interpersonal outcomes have also been associated with school library use. These include development of positive and ethical values in relation to the use of information, feelings of success and accomplishment, resilience, developing positive self-concept, self-esteem, independence and collaborative learning.
National Literacy Trust (2017)
Reference: National Literacy Trust, School Libraries: A literature review on current provision and evidence of impact (2017): “

18. Growth mindset
School libraries have been linked to improvement in growth mindset.
School libraries can:
Foster a love of learning and reading for pleasure
Encourage pupils to be academically honest
Support independent learning
Provide a safe space for vulnerable pupils
Encourage self-awareness and self-expression
Provide opportunities to question and apply critical thinking

19. National Literacy Trust support for libraries
Campaigns: campaigns such as Read On. Get On. ensure services that promote children’s reading deliver quality efficiently and promote reading for pleasure in schools and libraries
Research: informs policy development through research reviews and reports
Programmes: Love our Libraries supports those working in primary school libraries through training and resources
Hubs: utilise and encourage use of library services in local communities to deliver support in our Hubs
Our work in campaigns advocates the use of libraries to inspire and encourage reading for pleasure.
Read on. Get On is a national campaign to boost the reading levels of 11 year olds in England. Launched in 2014 by a coalition of 12 charities and educational organisations , the aim is to get all children reading well by the time they leave primary school in A ten step strategy to get children reading covers Leadership, Changing behavior and attitudes, early years and primary school years.
Top tips for boosting children’s reading include encouraging use of the library and participating in library reading challenges.

20. National Literacy Trust support for libraries
Partners: We work with partner organisations such as the School Library Association and CILIP (Chartered Institute for Librarians and Information Professionals)
Training and CPD: our training supports those working in education to deliver literacy skills effectively including in areas such as reading for pleasure
Resources: our resources support literacy teaching and learning and provide inspirational ideas to use in school

21. Thank you
Teravainen, A. & Clark, C. (2017) School libraries: A literature review on current provision and evidence of impact
London: National Literacy Trust
For references see the full review:
@Literacy_Trust