It’s that time of year…

Autumnal colours, chills in the air, glorious late year sunshine days – all add to the end of a year and the planning cycle for the next. Here at LR4S we’re on the lookout for ways to help – so whilst watching social media comments and chat we have picked out a possible set of School Librarians New Year’s Resolutions! Do not attempt them all – that way madness lies. Look at the priorities for your school and curriculum and take a small number of the ideas here and adapt them to your particular, individual circumstances. Remember - no school libraries are the same as any other, they are as unique as their school and community!

1. I will keep my library (and reading) up to date

Keeping your library and book collections up to date is a constant issue. A look in the local bookshop could help you, the local School’s Library Service can be particularly useful in this - and read reviews as much as you can. There are few in the national newspapers, but LoveReading has an amazing selection to help including books reviewed by the Kids Reader Panel, as well as online review magazines like Books for Keeps. If your school is a member of the School Library Association or the English Association their journals also have book reviews in them. CILIP’s Youth Libraries Group has a monthly member newsletter has updates from publishers which often include giveaways. Plus, there is a whole world of bloggers or Twitter and Facebook communities that specialise in children’s literature. Remember the importance of your own reading - by far the best way to encourage readers is by being able to talk to them about books you have read and by reading what they recommend. 

2. I will weed my library

Look at physically older books in your collection – of particular importance when looking at information books. Old, out of date information is of no use, and can actually be worse than no information at all, particularly in scientific and geographical subjects! Some books may also have characterisations in them that that, though ‘acceptable’ at the time will cause pain and upset in our diverse populations. These all need to be considered when looking at older books – then also have a policy within school about what happens to these books. (See also Resolution number 5) They may be such important texts that you need to keep them – but perhaps they need some sort of annotation, or you dispose of them completely. There are several websites and organisations that provide advice and guidance on these areas, take a look at the School Library Association, Great School Libraries, The Primary School Library Guidelines, The Secondary School Library Guideline, UKLA, School Libraries Group of CILIP, to name but a few. For more advice see this great blog from Past President of CILIP, Barbara Band, a school librarian of many years standing.

3. I will make my library more enticing

Perhaps the library or book corner is looking a bit tired? Displays are an easy and colourful way of providing interest. Use posters, artwork, book displays on a theme, display some books face-on rather than spines facing you. Publishers spend a great deal of thought and money designing book covers – use that to provide interest and colour! If you are lucky enough to have space for relaxed seating perhaps the key is to think about moving things around, having some new cushions or covers. Whatever you do – you can often get some wonderful ideas from the library users themselves – and they need not cost very much! You might find inspiration from school case studies on the OU Reading for Pleasure website. Pinterest can be a great source of inspiration too and there are many sites giving ideas on layout. Several CPD organisations run courses on displays and the like including Opening the Book and the BookTrust.

4. I will find creative ways to encourage more readers

A push on reading for pleasure in a school can often be encouraged with incentives – read so many words and get a reward e.g., stickers, badges, medals for younger children, house points, or vouchers for the older ones. Pinterest is a great source of inspiration again - although this article originates in the States many of these ideas would translate well to the UK! We Are Teachers shares things that they find have worked here. Plus, this research paper on value of intrinsic and extrinsic rewards makes for interesting reading too. Taking part in book groups can be a huge impetus – and these can be internal, run by a teacher or librarian, or external – perhaps a local group of the Federation of Children’s Book Groups. Author events can be a huge boost too! Again, there are many that can be organised locally or by another organisation that children could attend, either in person or virtually. Lots of areas also have book awards that children can get involved with – check out some of those, and also investigate CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Shadowing or the SLA’s Information Book Award.

5. I will recycle and reuse

What to do with old books is a perennial problem. Most of us hate the idea of throwing away old books, but sometimes you really must get them out of your library! Books that are old, dirty, and tatty really have been used to death and could happily be recycled. But remember they might still have potential for art materials/ collage/ book sculpting etc. If there is still use in them but not for your school there are several recycling companies that pay a small amount of money for old books e.g., BetterWorld Books, We Buy Books. Charity shops are often glad to receive them, or a book swop for the children might be possible – remember some families cannot afford books as part of their budget and families may be glad to have clean serviceable copies (particularly useful when you may have bought 2 or 3 copies of the same book and you now want the shelf space for the latest volumes.)

6. I will join useful organisations

The main organisations that can help school librarians could be well worth joining – the joining fees will more than be recouped in time gained and experiences shared – check out CILIP – which gives you access to Youth Libraries Group and the School Libraries Group or the School Library Association, all of whom offer training, advice, publications and much more. Plus, sign up to LoveReading4Schools and follow us on social media to see best practice in action – it’s free and well - what are you waiting for?

There are so many other topics that could be your focus for the beginning of the year – but really – as in your own resolutions – don’t set out with a huge list – one at a time, making sure it is focussed on what is most needed for your school at this point in the school year.

Happy New Year!

Tricia Adams & Joy Court

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