An Opportunity Not to Be Missed: School Libraries Need Support Available to Purchase

A clarion call to all librarians to lobby the governing body of their local schools, particularly secondaries, for better library provision is the theme. Notes a poverty of spirit in schools brought about by the 1988 Education Act and details the effect Local Management of Schools(LMS) has had on both schools and Schools Library Services (SLS). Emphasizes that financial control of schools has passed from Local Education Authorities directly to schools and that decisions concerning library provision now lie with governors. This offers each community the opportunity to lobby the governing body to improve or safeguard existing library provision. The financial restraints inherent in LMS have increased the need for schools to attract the support and patronage of business and industry and through inter‐library co‐operation all librarians in a community can help to raise the profile of libraries and offer schools access to valuable marketing expertise. Highlights that co‐operation between business and industry is desirable due to the introduction of National Vocational Qualifications which may start in secondary schools and continue throughout life. Concludes that, unless schools are persuaded to invest capital in libraries, the resulting fall in standards could be catastrophic.