School libraries

Press, 2 January 1979, Page 10

School libraries

Sir, — Elsie Locke’s article on school libraries (December 27) rightly emphasises the most important aspect-of the Foley Report, that which members of the working party themselves placed at the top of their 36 recommendations: “That a scheme be implemented urgently to provide properly qualified staff in school libraries to ensure effective selection, use and maintenance of learning resources.” (Report of the working party on school libraries, p. 39.) Many schools have the materials for an ef-

fective library service — the buildings, the books (and non-books) — but all lack the full-time qualified staff to enable these resources to be used to the full. We must ensure that the new Minister of Education is made aware of the report and the need to translate it into action. — Yours, etc., S. H. COLYER. December 28, 1978. Sir, — Thanks to Elsie Locke for her timely article on school libraries (December 27). Canadians fund their library resources generously, whereas New Zealand 'school library grants are small — approximately $2 per pupil, and the average hardback costs $B. The present set-up in New Zealand which gives a secondary teacher-librarian in charge of a $200,000 library approximately five hours a week to attend to pupils’ needs renders it almost impossible to be a “librarian constantly accessible.” However, dedicated staff do try to make school libraries attractive for children despite the lack of resources and time allocations. New Zealand parents will get what they pay for in less-than-adequate school library services if the official library report is not implemented, and without doubt, our children will suffer. — Yours, etc.. C. F. AMODEO. December 29, 1978.