Peters sponsors Great School Libraries campaign

School library supplier Peters is sponsoring a campaign, spearheaded by the School Library Association (SLA), CILIP and CILIP’s School Libraries Group, to make libraries a statutory requirement in schools.

The SLA said the sponsorship from Peters ensures that the campaign will be fully funded for its three-year duration, though the sum has not been disclosed.

Alison Tarrant, chief executive officer of the SLA, said: “We are delighted to be working with Peters on this campaign.They understand the difference that a staffed and funded school library can make to a school, and securing this funding means that we are not restricted, and can focus on producing meaningful resources and maximising engagement. Together they will enable the sector to move forward, and mark the beginning of a new era for school libraries.”

As well as making libraries a statutory requirement, the organisations behind the campaign also want to secure funding for school libraries, produce a national framework for school libraries and ensure libraries are recognised within the Ofsted framework.

They said children deserve a great school library because adequately funded, staffed school libraries can help children improve their educational achievements, as well as alleviate teacher workload and help deliver a well-rounded education.

Throughout the course of the campaign the School Library Data Group will collect evidence showing how libraries contribute to better educational outcomes for every child, they added.