Why libraries are important in schools

The role of the school library and Teacher Librarians are constantly evolving to meet the teaching and learning needs of both staff and students. Teacher Librarians collaborate with all teaching teams in the School and develop the collection to encourage global citizens who are life-long learners. What are the benefits of our School libraries? HVGS libraries are safe places which:

• Support an inquiry approach to learning which includes action and reflection. • Support both personal interests and the curriculum. • Are safe and stress-free where students can choose to relax, socialise, read or pursue academic learning. • Provide areas for students to meet, talk, study, and make ideas come to life. Spaces have been created to encourage hands-on learning. These areas aim to nurture imagination, creativity, communication, collaboration and critical thinking. • Promote the ethical use of information and construction of knowledge. • Offer opportunities for student agency.

Research continues to show how a school library, a qualified Teacher Librarian and a well-resourced collection fosters high student achievement.

Reading and writing scores, regardless of demographics or socio-economic background, are consistently higher in schools where a school library and qualified Teacher Librarian is active.

What resources are available to access in our School libraries?

School libraries promote a love of literature. Our Libraries provide information in a variety of formats:

• author and illustrator workshops • eBooks and audio books through Sora and EBSCO • LearnPaths • graphics novels • picture books • video via ClickView • Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality (through the class kit) • Kookaberries – a digital learning hub

The school library is beneficial to students by promoting reading, researching and critical and creative thinking. This provides us the opportunity to see the ‘big picture’ of the School’s vision and be well versed in the pedagogy and curriculum needs of both teachers and students, which is our passion.

Read more on our website.