Mosle’s article on ‘What should children read?’, (Mosle, 2012) provided a useful reminder of the importance of non-fiction in the school library collection. Firstly as a starting point for reluctant readers and also as an often overlooked source of quality non-fiction writing which can be also used as a teaching resources for English studies students.
One of the TL’s primary focus is on literacy and the love of reading – whether that love comes from fiction or non-fiction, of course matters not. According to the House of Representatives Committees Inquiry into school libraries, ‘a well stocked school library and a teacher librarian makes a difference to the reading achievement of students,’ ‘with appropriate fiction and non-fiction resources’ (Parliament of Australia, 2011, p.44). It is always useful to remember the impact TLs have on reading and again, this report reminds me that I have probably been focusing a little too intently on young adult fiction. However, the reality in school libraries I have managed, is that more readers read fiction and that they read more of it. If I have a limited budget, I will obviously spend cautiously and be mindful of getting the best value – ie books that will almost certainly be borrowed.
Watson and Stencel, (2005), point out that ‘Nonfiction about rappers or cars or your zodiac sign, to the reluctant reader, these interest areas are likely to be their true escape’. Holwerda, Lunny, Noakes, Boyd, and Morozov have established a collection policy for reluctant readers that focuses on non-fiction and graphic materials, ‘selected by a team of experienced teachers and teacher-librarians’ (Holwerda, L., Lunny, J., Noakes, J., Boyd, K., and Morozov, K, 2013) and and have created a list of 300 books that they see as the ‘key’ to attracting regular and reluctant readers.
In the future, I am going to pay more attention to the non-fiction side of the collection and focus on adding more resources with a wider spectrum of topics. I have bookmarked several sites while writing this blog and will keep adding to them and actively seek out links to more ideas for interesting non-fiction.
Holwerda, L., Lunny, J., Noakes, J., Boyd, K., & Morozov, K. (2013). Best Practices School Reluctant Readers Collection Development Proposal. Retrieved from https://sites.google.com/site/collectiondevelopmentproposal/selection/selection-list
Holwerda, L., Lunny, J., Noakes, J., Boyd, K., & Morozov, K. (2013). Giving Multi-Level Marketing a Good Name – A Model Collection Development Proposal. School Libraries in Canada, 31(2), 35–41. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.csu.edu.au/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lih&AN=95375261&site=ehost-live
Mosle, S. (2012, November 22). What should children read? [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/22/what-should-children-read/?_r=0
Parliament of Australia, House of Representatives committees. (2011). School libraries and teacher librarians in 21st century Australia. Retrieved from https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House_of_Representatives_Committees?url=ee/schoollibraries/report.htm
Watson, J., & Stencel, J. (2005). Reaching Reluctant Readers with Nonfiction. Young Adult Library Services, 8-11. Retrieved from http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.csu.edu.au/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=16&sid=6fe1dccb-3f40-466f-92b6-051c583607ff%40pdc-v-sessmgr01