What do YOU think is the future for school libraries and school library collections?
When it comes down to it, Libraries are changing in format and in what is expected of TLs to produce, curate and monitor. I think some of the largest factors in determining the future of school libraries will be:
Budget- whether it is determined by school executive or a broader Departmental initiative, the availability of funds for purchasing and maintaining different types of resources PLUS the funding available for employing suitable numbers of staff to develop relevant collections.
Technology- the development of technology and the introduction of BYOD and availability of online literacy platforms and subscriptions. As a sub-consideration, the development and evolution of copyright involving online platforms as legislation and guidelines change will also impact the future of the libraries.
Community support- in terms of supplementary funds, donations and fundraising as well as support for technology and its integration into schools.
Curriculum- increasing expectations of TLs to include various KLAs within the ‘library space’ beyond the traditional Literacy components will affect planning time, resourcing and admin time, space usage and expectations of the school and the broader department.
It is up to the TL to remain flexible and open to learning and developing their varied skills further to support library users and to continue to promote the importance of libraries in schools.
