School Libraries: Literacy

Question

There is evidence of a very strong relationship between reading attainment and school library use, with young people who read below the expected level for their age being almost twice more likely to say that they are not a school library user. Conversely, those who read at or above the expected level were nearly three times more likely to say that they are school library users (Clark, 2010). The Department has not itself commissioned research on the link between literacy and school libraries nor at present does it intend to.

In line with our approach to giving schools in England greater freedom we believe that it should be for headteachers to decide whether and how to provide a library service for their pupils. We are pleased that many headteachers do recognise the role libraries play in improving young people’s literacy and love of reading, and ensure that suitable library facilities are provided. The findings from the PISA survey (OECD, 2010) indicate that in 2009, 96% of pupils in the United Kingdom were attending a school where there was a library.