School Libraries and Learning Resources

School libraries are essential. Research evidence demonstrates that a well-resourced school library managed by an experienced professional has a substantial impact on the academic achievement and wellbeing of its students. 
Libraries are an integral part of schools, serving the diverse needs of their communities and this course examines the necessary skills, services, and resources required to do this. Key topics include: collection management, resource selection, classifying and cataloguing; service management, financial planning, and library policies; and marketing, branding, and promotion via digital media.

Working in a school library can be rewarding with a high level of autonomy and satisfaction. Such work requires a range of competencies and capabilities including: communication and liaison; management planning and organisation; finance and budgeting; advocacy, marketing, and promotion; resource knowledge; and technical expertise.

This course identifies the factors that influence school library development and change, and outlines  the role and impact of school libraries, including: teaching of reading and facilitating higher level reading skills and reading for pleasure (RfP); supporting the curriculum; developing digital and information literacy skills; and contributing to the mental health and wellbeing of students.

By the end of this course you will be able to identify the varying needs of the school community and understand how their needs shape and inform library services, such as how the intended use and function of the library can influence its physical environment and guide the librarian in curating the  space. You will be able to discuss the ways in which school libraries can support the reading needs of the community, from recreational to curriculum and exam topics, as well as IT provision, digital literacy and the constantly changing technological landscape. Finally, you will understand how continuous professional development (CPD) is required to maintain the school library’s efficiency; how the skills, expertise, and competencies of library staff impact provisions; and the importance of advocating for your library.

The skills and knowledge gained through studying this course should help you to manage a school library effectively, develop its role and services within a school, and identify opportunities for further career development within the profession. The role of school librarian is unique, often working alone in a department of one with no hierarchical structure for career progression. However, with high levels of autonomy and satisfaction, it can be a very rewarding profession.

Tutor

Pauline Rafferty (MA Hons, MSc, PhD, PGCED, MCLIP) Postgraduate Schemes Coordinator and Senior Lecturer, Department of Information Studies at Aberystwyth University. Pauline is Joint Editor in Chief of Journal of Information Science and has served on the editorial boards of other information retrieval and knowledge organisation focused academic journals. Pauline’s current teaching and research interests are in the areas of image analysis, multimedia information retrieval and indexing, social tagging, children and young people’s reading and resources, and critical communication and information studies, particularly: subject analysis, interpretation, and semiotics; representations of knowledge, and classification theory; structuralist and semiotic approaches to modelling culture as ‘human sciences’; and critical theory approaches to popular culture. Aberystwyth Research Portal

Barbara Band (BSc Hon, MCLIP, Honorary Masters OU). This course has been developed in collaboration with its author, school library consultant Barbara Band, who is an award-winning Chartered librarian with over thirty-five years’ experience in both independent and maintained education sectors, ranging from primary through to secondary levels. Barbara, a graduate of one of the early intakes of Aberystwyth’s BSc in Information & Library Studies by distance learning, is an influential school library advocate and campaigner, who has worked with organisations such as BookTrust, the National Literacy Trust, and the Open University (OU) championing the pivotal role of school libraries in education and literacy. Barbara is actively involved in her professional community, including: former President of CILIP The Library and Information Association, and is a CILIP Chartership mentor, Chaired the School Library Association (SLA) Berkshire branch and Vice Chair of the Great School Libraries Campaign, CILIP School Libraries Group (SLG) Treasurer and editor of the SLG newsletter, Chair of the Library Services Trust and founder and Chair of the UK Pupil Librarian of the Year Award (PLAA).

Prerequisites

The course is designed for those working, volunteering, or with no experience but interested, in school libraries and children’s and young people’s reading, literacy, and wellbeing.

Learning outcomes

After studying this course you should be able to:

  • Consider major education ideologies their impact on the development of national educational policy and on school learning and teaching strategies.
  • Discuss the role, value, and impact of school libraries e.g. in supporting a school’s strategic objectives, assessing & supporting diverse user needs, ensuring access to information and knowledge, promoting a whole school reading culture, and supporting mental health and wellbeing.
  • Outline key aspects of school library management, including: policy development and library guidelines, staff status, skills, recruitment, and training, logistics (e.g. library space, size, layout, furnishings, and technology),  collection management (e.g. identify user needs and collection management aspects such as evaluation, selection, weeding, disposal, cataloguing, classification, and censorship).
  • Advocate and promote the school library and its resources, and.
  • Identify aspects of a school library that make it an effective and integral part of the school, including the creation of an inclusive reading culture that engages and supports all readers both now and in the future.
  • Identify technology used in school libraries and discuss current issues in the access and use of these technologies (e.g. library management systems, digital and information literacy, digital/streaming resources, e-readers, AI and ChatGPT, print verses digital reading, legal considerations, and digital divide).
  • Source peer-reviewed literature about young people to support evidence-based practice.

Key skills you can gain by studying this course, include:

  • Adaptability and resilience - School librarians are often lone-librarians (department of one) with responsibility for strategic and operational roles within a dynamic school environment. Therefore, adaptability and resilience are crucial qualities, to foster a growth mindset, empower individuals to navigate changing and challenging circumstances, and thrive in a dynamic professional environment.
  • Creative problem solving - Students explore the wide range of challenges inherent in school library management, such as encompassing diverse needs, responding to book censorship, and supporting pupil wellbeing. Students are prompted through activities and exercises to reflect on such challenges, consider a range of solutions, and evaluate the impact of decisions made or actions taken.
  • Critical and analytical thinking - Research data and practice case examples/scenarios are used throughout the course. Course activities and exercises ask students to consider, for example, the strengths and weaknesses of a policy or practice, or to judge the value of the data in upholding or challenging debate, policy, or practice in the field. Students are required to include their critical analysis of peer-reviewed literature when completing the course assessment.
  • Digital capability - School librarians need to be proficient at using a range of technologies and to stay informed about emerging trends, issues, training, and policy. This necessitates a diverse set of digital skills such as media and information literacy, digital safety and safeguarding, digital research and creativity, and the effective use of social media. Students explore the integration of technology in school library practice.
  • Subject specific skills - The physical management of the library space and organisation of resources; how to create a diverse collection to reflect the school demographics and needs; understanding the legal aspects that impact the school library including the Equality Act 2010; using a range of technology to enhance and promote library services; understanding reading development and the importance of reading for pleasure; awareness of information literacy models; the use of social media and technology.

Apply

To apply please complete the Short Course Application Form. 

This form should be completed and returned - with your reference - as soon as possible to the Postgraduate Admissions Office: 

For further information, please contact the Department of Information Studies tel: (+/0)1970 622731 / 622189; e-mail: dis-dept@aber.ac.uk