CILIP advocates the value of school librarians, school libraries and schools library services. We lobby government and work to increase awareness with head teachers, school governors and parents.
Current campaigns
'SHOUT ABOUT school libraries' is our campaign about the value of school libraries and schools library services.
Launched in October 2011, this is a joint campaign with the Association of Senior College and Education Librarians (ASCEL) and the School Library Association (SLA). We want everyone to start SHOUTING ABOUT school libraries and school library services.
Recent advocacy activities
2011: School Libraries - A Right
In February 2011 we issued 'School Libraries - A Right', a statement on the role and value of school libraries. It sets out the core entitlements that every child, school's teaching team and wider school community should expect to receive. It provides the case for a properly resourced, professionally staffed school library.
2010: Surveys on School Libraries in the UK: a worthwhile past, a difficult present – and a transformed future?
Over 1,500 secondary, middle, special and independent schools, along with 655 primary schools, responded to three related surveys of school library provision and use in the UK.
Major findings:
87% of qualified librarians are contributing to information literacy work in their school
59% of qualified librarians are contributing actively to the school Virtual Learning Environment, learning platform or website.
School librarians support literacy and encourage reading for pleasure
Too many school libraries are staffed by unqualified people who lack the skills and knowledge to work effectively with teachers
There is a growing gap between the best services and the rest in terms of funding levels, staffing and services
The vision and support of senior management is vital to school library success.
2009: Statutory school libraries campaign
CILIP endorsed the Campaign for the Book’s call to "make school libraries, run by properly qualified staff, statutory". There was also an e-petition, which was signed by 5,707 people. The Government's response to the petition was that it had no plans to change legislation to make school libraries statutory.