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International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions: |
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Section of School Libraries and Resource Centres |
The School Library in Teaching and Learning for All
IFLA - UNESCO School Library Manifesto |
The school library provides information and ideas that are
fundamental to functioning successfully in today's information and
knowledge-based society. The school library equips students with
life-long learning skills and develops the imagination, enabling
them to live as responsible citizens. |
The Mission of the School Library
The school library offers learning services, books and resources
that enable all members of the school community to become critical
thinkers and effective users of information in all formats and media.
School Libraries link to the wider library and information network
in accord with the principles in the UNESCO Public Library
Manifesto.
The library staff support the use of books and other information
sources, ranging from the fictional to the documentary, from print
to electronic, both on-site and remote. The materials complement
and enrich textbooks, teaching materials and methodologies.
It has been demonstrated that, when librarians and teachers work
together, students achieve higher levels of literacy, reading,
learning, problem-solving and information and communication
technology skills.
School library services must be provided equally to all members
of the school community, regardless of age, race, gender, religion,
nationality, language, professional or social status. Specific
services and materials must be provided for those who are unable
to use mainstream library services and materials.
Access to services and collections should be based on the United
Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Freedoms, and
should not be subject to any form of ideological, political or
religious censorship, or to commercial pressures. |
Funding legislation and networks
The school library is essential to every long-term strategy for
literacy, education, information provision and economic, social
and cultural development. As the responsibility of local, regional
and national authorities, it must be supported by specific
legislation and policies. School Libraries must have adequate and
sustained funding for trained staff, materials, technologies and
facilities. They must be free of charge.
The school library is an essential partner in the local, regional
and national library and information network.
Where the school library shares facilities and/or resources with
another type of library, such as a public library, the unique aims
of the school library must be acknowledged and maintained. |
Goals of the school library
The school library is integral to the educational process.
The following are essential to the development of literacy,
information literacy, teaching, learning and culture and are
core school library services:
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supporting and enhancing educational goals as outlined in the
school's mission and curriculum;
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developing and sustaining in children the habit and enjoyment
of reading and learning, and the use of libraries throughout
their lives;
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offering opportunities for experiences in creating and using
information for knowledge, understanding, imagination and
enjoyment;
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supporting all students in learning and practising skills for
evaluating and using information, regardless of form, format
or medium, including sensitivity to the modes of communication
within the community;
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providing access to local, regional, national and global
resources and opportunities that expose learners to diverse
ideas, experiences and opinions;
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organizing activities that encourage cultural and social
awareness and sensitivity;
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working with students, teachers, administrators and parents
to achieve the mission of the school;
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proclaiming the concept that intellectual freedom and access
to information are essential to effective and responsible
citizenship and participation in a democracy;
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promoting reading and the resources and services of the school
library to the whole school community and beyond.
The school library fulfils these functions by developing policies
and services, selecting and acquiring resources, providing physical
and intellectual access to appropriate sources of information,
providing instructional facilities, and employing trained staff. |
Staff
The school librarian is the professionally qualified staff member
responsible for planning and managing the school library, supported
by as adequate staffing as possible, working together with all
members of the school community, and liaising with the public
library and others.
The role of school librarians will vary according to the budget
and the curriculum and teaching methodology of the schools,
within the national legal and financial framework. Within specific
contexts, there are general areas of knowledge that are vital if
school librarians are to develop and operate effective school
library services: resource, library, and information management
and teaching.
In an increasingly networked environment, school librarians must be
competent in planning and teaching different information-handling
skills to both teachers and students. Therefore they must continue
their professional training and development. |
Operation and Management
To ensure effective and accountable operations:
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the policy on school library services must be formulated
to define goals, priorities and services in relation to
the school's curriculum;
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the school library must be organized and maintained
according to professional standards;
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services must be accessible to all members of the school
community and operate within the context of the local
community;
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co-operation with teachers, senior school management,
administrators, parents, other librarians and information
professionals, and community groups must be encouraged.
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Implementing the Manifesto
Governments, through their ministries responsible for education,
are urged to develop strategies, policies and plans which
implement the principles of this Manifesto. Plans should include
the dissemination of the Manifesto to initial and continuing
training programmes for librarians and teachers. |
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