Budgets removed and staff undervalued during lockdown, SLA report says

Lockdown “exacerbated pre-existing conditions” in school libraries in the UK, with budgets revoked and library staff misunderstood or undervalued, according to a new report by the School Library Association (SLA). 

School Libraries in Lockdown examines the role of school libraries before and during the Covid-19 pandemic, including the analysis of hundreds of survey responses spanning two years, interviews with school library staff and statements from senior leaders. 

It found the impacts of the pandemic were wide ranging, impacting staff and pupils’ attainment and wellbeing, with isolation a “significant” risk.  

The report said it aimed “not to assign blame, but rather to help the sector reflect and learn so that positive steps can be taken to secure the best possible future for school libraries” and recommended that strong sector bodies for school librarianship should be visible throughout the educational landscape.  

It also said that school library staff need to work towards the aims of their school, while senior school leaders should develop an improved understanding of the role of their library and how it supports the school’s aims. 

Alison Tarrant, SLA c.e.o., said: “This report is hard to read at times, and my heart goes out to all those working in schools during this time – all of your efforts are appreciated and treasured by many. This report also represents a challenge – to school library staff, to the SLA and those working within the school library sector, and to other educationalists to work on improving the relationship, understanding and communication between teaching staff and their library colleagues. This is something to which the SLA is wholly committed, and I look forward to working with colleagues from across the educational landscape to make this a reality.” 

Richard Gerver, SLA president, added: “If the past couple of years have taught us anything, it is the vital importance of collaboration, communication and mutual support. This report highlights some significant challenges and some strong ideas for how we move forward to best ensure that our school libraries don’t just survive but thrive and safeguard the very best for our children; young people who have been deprived of so much, including the wonderful resources in a great library. What is clear is that there is a job to do and if we commit to communicating the importance of what we do so that we can catalyse meaningful collaboration and support, we can and will meet the challenges we face.”