Great Read
Teaching Library lessons to students is important!
There are many benefits of regular library lessons. Taking the time to teach for 15 or even 20 minutes of your time with a class can make a huge impact. These lessons enable you to add to the information foundation of every child! Learning these skills is critical and will be used throughout their K-12 experience and beyond. How to use the library needs to be reinforced via several lessons, not delivered in a quick session fitted in between other subjects.
Some benefits of library instruction include:
A safe space - Regular library lessons mean that students become comfortable with both the space and their library staff.
Exposure to books - Library lessons mean exposure to books! Even if a library is accessible at breaks, those visiting it are likely to already be readers.
Creating readers - Regular library lessons enable the library staff to develop relationships with each student, to find out what type of reader they are, what sort of texts (if any) they like to read, and what their interests are. They allow us to guide each student in selecting books, something even the more able readers need at times. They expose students to a wide range of genres, media and authors and, essentially, give students ‘permission’ to read.
Promotion of library programs - A lack of regular library lessons makes it difficult to organise and promote many of the activities that encourage reading and boost literacy levels, such as competitions, book talks, author visits and participation in both local and national initiatives. Communication via tutors and promotional posters has a limited reach.
Lifelong learning - In addition to library skills, many school libraries deliver an information skills program teaching basic competencies that are essential for both further education and the workplace, and that create independent learners with the capabilities to cope with further and higher education.
Schools need regular library lessons - Reduced access to books (little to none library budget) means a reduction in reading. This impacts on reading for pleasure, which needs choice and access, and discourages students from using the library for their information needs. A school that allows this to happen is not using its library staff or library efficiently or effectively, and is providing a much diminished service to its students.
School library, reading and literacy consultant
Features editor, The School Librarian
