The official response to the petition is very disappointing - not the sort of response hoped for at all. Hopefully people won’t give up and as Mark says It indicates a complete lack of understanding of the potential role of the library and the library/information profession in terms of developing the information literacy of students and incorporating information literacy into the curriculum.  

 

In Scotland we had similar problems with this and the Scottish Information Literacy Project set out to tackle this and engage with those involved in lifelong learning, education and the new curriculum in Scotland. We have been successful in our endeavours with the new Curriculum for Excellence specifically Literacy across Learning http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/curriculumforexcellence/responsibilityofall/literacy/index.asp a responsibility of all where information literacy can be found in:

• finding and using information in the listening and talking, and reading sections
• understanding, analysing and evaluating in listening and talking, and reading sections "to encourage progression in understanding of texts, developing not only literal understanding but also the higher order skills"
• organising and using information in the writing section

Although the term critical literacy rather than information literacy is used it does give recognition to the skills and acknowledges “school library resource centres, who make an enormous contribution to the literacy skills of children and young people”. Something for us to embrace, use and deliver on raising the profile of school librarians and information literacy.

 

Regards

 

 

Christine

 

Christine Irving BA (Hons), MCLIP, MSc • Researcher / Project Officer • The Scottish Information Literacy Project • Milton Street Building • MS005 (Ground Floor) • Glasgow Caledonian University • Cowcaddens Road • Glasgow G3 6RB • 0141 273 1249 • [log in to unmask] •

Project Website  www.caledonian.ac.uk/ils/ • Project Weblog  http://caledonianblogs.net/information-literacy/ • Iinformation Literacy Framework  http://caledonianblogs.net/nilfs/

 

"Information literacy is knowing when and why you need information, where to find it, and how to evaluate, use and communicate it in an ethical manner." CILIP (2004) Information Literacy Definition

 

 

 

Hi,

 

Copied below is the UK Prime Minister’s office response to the petition to make school libraries statutory.

 

To me this implies that the school library is just a repository for books and ICT kit. It indicates a complete lack of understanding of the potential role of the library and the library/information profession in terms of developing the information literacy of students and incorporating information literacy into the curriculum. It echoes a vision of the school library that is grounded in the 1960s and is not in step with developments in other parts of the world, such as, Australasia and North America. Also a contrast, I think, to what is happening in Scotland.

 

I wonder why this 50+ year old conception continues to persist?

 

Read the Government’s response

School libraries are a key resource for pupils and teachers. They support the National Curriculum by providing books and ICT equipment, and at their best they are a valuable asset to teachers and a source of enjoyment and learning for children and young people.

However, the provision of a school library is not a statutory requirement, and there are no current plans to alter this and change the legislation.

It is the Government’s policy to put as much money as possible directly into schools’ budgets, allowing schools to target resources appropriately and to make their own choices about their school library provision and book resourcing.

http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page22227

Apologies for a gloomy start to a Monday morning!

Mark

 

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