What is a school library? I’m not sure it’s a question many people ask themselves. School libraries just exist, right? As those of us who work in a school library, it’s probably something we know the answer to, very deeply and thoroughly. But what exactly is a school library? Is it a home for collections of books? A space for reading, for learning? Is it a place of connection and belonging? Is it a safe space? Is it a space for discovery? A place of fun. Of course, we in the know, know it to be all that and so much more.
For many, the idea of a school library is set in their mind. Perhaps it’s an image from their own school days, or maybe it’s a school library from pop-culture, a show or movie. Maybe it’s stereotypical. But I’m guessing that, for the general population, people would be surprised to discover exactly what a school library is and does in this modern era.
Step into my school library, it’s buzzing. There isn’t much floor space available, let alone seating place. Every possible area is covered in students, playing games, working on their computers, setting up domino chains, reading, colouring in, using a range of different robots, constructing planes and towns and cars from Lego. Year 3 students are working alongside Year 1 and Year 6 students.
And if you venture into the secondary library, it’s much the same, but here large groups of international students are loudly playing Uno No Mercy, a group of Year 7 girls sprawl on the bean bags with their piles of graphic novels. The Year 4 boys are helping older students with the 3D printers. Year 4, 5, 6, 7 and 11 students are grouped around the watercolour painting station, while a Year 7 boy shows a Year 10 boy how to hand sew. There’s a rowdy group of Year 7 and 10s playing SuperSmashBros, and upstairs students find a quiet spot to get some studying done, while others find a comfy spot to read. It’s utter chaos and just a tiny glimpse of a school library.
If I had to choose just one word to describe a school library, it’s Hub. A school library is a hub. A hub of knowledge, of activity, a hub of learning, a hub of creativity. Our school library is a place where so many pass through each day, on their way to other destinations, on the way through to print something, on their way to a library lesson or science lesson.
So, what is a school library? A school library is for learning, for reading and literacy, it’s for access, a place for belonging, leadership, community and innovation.
How long has it been since you last visited a school library? For some of us, it’s probably been an hour, but for others it might have been many years. School libraries are constantly adapting and changing. So, if you haven’t popped in to see what’s happening in your school library, why not go and discover what’s happening? It might surprise you.
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