Rachel Reeves has announced plans for a library in every primary school in England by 2029 saying she would commit over £10 million to the plan. But details about how the money will be used, the definition of a library and the role of librarians, have yet to be provided.

Making the pledge at the Labour Party conference she said she remembered her own school library being “turned into a classroom, because there were more students than there was space.”

Her comments demonstrated the belief she and the Government have that libraries can deliver results in schools.

She said : “Today, in England, there are 1,700 primary schools that don’t have a school library. That’s not right. And I will not let it stand.

“So I am committing here today to providing a library in every single primary school in England by the end of this parliament.

“That is a statement of my values. That is a statement of the value this Government places on all our children’s futures.”

Whether the resources are there to support this yet, the message is clear. It is one that has been voiced by a number of campaign groups for many years. One of these is the Great School Library Campaign, launched in 2018 by CILIP’s School Library Group and the School Library Association.

Part of its mission was to uncover how bad the problem was and in 2023 it published research showing that 14 per cent of primary schools had no library. But it also found that just having a library was not enough with 40 per cent of primary schools with libraries saying the lack of reading resources was restricting reading. And also that less than a third of primary schools with libraries had a dedicated member of staff working there.

It also found that schools that have a high percentage of children eligible for Free School Meals are the least likely to have access to a library space and a dedicated librarian or library staff.

While the Chancellor's announcement doesn’t go into much detail, Caroline Roche, chair of CILIP’s School Libraries Group said the news had been welcomed.

She said: “There has been a lot of talk about this in the librarian groups I belong to. There has been a cautious, but qualified pleasure in hearing this announcement. On the plus side, the Government has recognised that there should be libraries in every primary school at least. However, it depends on what they see as libraries. A room full of books? A few shelves in a corridor? Extra books for the usually well stocked classroom libraries? What there is no mention of is a professional person to run the library, even if it is only a couple of times a week.”

“What we would suggest is a programme of professional librarians sent into all primary schools, even for a couple of days a week, to organise the books, select the stock, and show what a difference we can make. School Library Services, where they still exist, would be the ideal place to start. Also, what are their plans beyond the Year of Reading, how are they going to sustain this, and what are their plans for secondary schools, where libraries are even more desperately needed? (A topic also covered in the Great School Libraries Campaign 2023 research).”

She added: “One of the challenges we also face is the de-professionalisation of school librarians - there are fewer of us left - so the Government upholding and promoting professionalism in administering this scheme would help to halt this downward slide.

Jake Hope, a Reading Development and Children's Book Consultant, a committee member of CILIP's Youth Library Group, and also Award Executive for the Carnegie Awards, the UK’s longest running and best-known children’s book awards, also welcomed the news: "It's positive to hear the plans to fund a school library for every primary by 2029 and there's much to celebrate."

He pointed out the breadth of issues school libraries could help with, given the right resources. "With challenges around reading for pleasure and prevalent misinformation and disinformation, it's more important than ever to make sure as well as being able to access reading, that this is valued and engaged with fully."

He said: "The announcement is an important first step, but there's considerable work for the sector in advocating for these sites to be well-resourced initially and going forward, supported by meaningful activity and learning opportunities and to have the expertise that brings their spaces and collections to life so that all are able to benefit from these."

The School Library Association was similarly supportive describing it as “a landmark moment for everyone who works to ensure children have access to libraries within their schools.” However, in a statement it also said: “To be successful, the investment must also be backed up by regular opportunities for school communities to use their new library as a living, breathing space.

"We know that this only happens when time, funding and staffing is ring-fenced year on year for school libraries. Every school community should be equipped with the skills and funds they need to maintain, manage and promote their school libraries, to engage as many children as possible with the library, now and in the future, and to realise the true potential of the new space they will be given.

“We believe that a dedicated member of staff is essential to the sustainability and success of any investment in school libraries. A school librarian knows how to speak to people who are disengaged from reading about reading; can increase the visibility of books and reading within their school community, and can promote reading as a social activity, that deepens connection between pupils, staff and families within a school community.

"They can develop book collections and deliver library lessons, with high quality reader development and research skills support; can lead on whole school community reading initiatives and support teaching colleagues with knowledge of children’s literature and curriculum resources. In short, a librarian can bring the potential of a library to life.”

The National Literacy Trust, which helped fund the Great School Libraries Campaign research, set up the Libraries for Primaries campaign in 2021 with publisher partner Penguin Random House and is a key player in the National Year of Reading.

Jonathan Douglas, Chief Executive, National Literacy Trust said the announcement “will supercharge efforts to give more children and young people new opportunities to unlock the unrivalled benefits of reading for their futures, and truly cement reading for pleasure as a national priority as we approach 2026 – the National Year of Reading.”