The History of School Libraries 1986-2024: Part 2

In the second part of our history of school libraries, we talk more about the evolution of school libraries from 1986 to the present day. We continue to focus on Norman Beswick's history of school libraries as an influential piece of research from the same period, which looked at the dramatic trajectory of librarianship, budget struggles, and changing roles with the advent of computers in education.

We explore two crucial hopeful signals during that time - the rise of information skills and the increasing collaboration between teachers and librarians. The discussion also touches upon the concept of information literacy and how it differs from the inquiry model. Additionally, we critically examine Anne Irving's nine-question steps model from 1985 that set a new tone for the synergy between teachers and librarians.

Our conversation highlights the role of school librarians in teaching information literacy skills, the difficult struggle for curriculum time, and the undeniable link between information literacy and education. We touch upon the internet’s impact, the devaluation of school libraries and the challenge of teaching information literacy amidst these changes. We discuss how a focus on information availability may have hindered a smooth transition during the introduction of computers to schools.

The episode creates an understanding of the evolution of school libraries, touches on the impacts of AI, and the need for diverse, multicultural teaching methods. It emphasises librarians' role in diversifying teaching methods and portrays libraries, beyond academic learning centres, as hubs for personal development, independent learning, and more. We conclude by reemphasising the importance for school libraries and librarians to align their educational philosophy with the current concerns and aspirations in the educational sector.

Portraits of an Engaged and Empowered Inquirer https://fosil.org.uk/forums/topic/portraits-of-an-engaged-and-empowered-inquirer/

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