School librarians: an author’s view

Award-winning author Theresa Breslin has written to every Argyll and Bute councillor formally requesting they pass a motion to reinstate all school librarian posts in Argyll and Bute.

The decision to remove school librarians was taken at the February council budget meeting following the ‘Service Choices’ process by which the authority decided upon which services to save and which to cut.

Her letter is as follows:

Dear councillor, I am writing to you again on behalf of Argyll and Bute school pupils who asked for my support in their protest against the deletion of the posts of school librarians within their secondary schools.

In addition to the information which I sent you previously re the crucial role of the school librarian, I would also like to make you aware of recent events regarding reading initiatives involving school pupils.

The First Minister’s ‘Reading Challenge’ has just been launched, on August 19. It mentions ‘the excellent work going on in schools and communities’.

Learning and Teaching Scotland is rolling out the ‘Scotland Reads’ programme which includes promoting ‘Book Buddies’ where senior pupils mentor younger ones. Combined with the case made by a number of other groups including the Literature Alliance Scotland - and most especially the points made by the pupils themselves, who will shortly be future voters - I propose that the above constitutes a material and distinct change to the evidence upon which the original decision was made.

I note also that Argyll and Bute is offering incentives to young families to become residents.

Deleting posts which provide a key component of education undermines this initiative. School provision is a high priority when parents consider relocating.

Argyll and Bute could become the only authority in Scotland failing to provide a dedicated library service within its secondary schools.

Perhaps some of this money could be allocated to fund the posts?

I would like to officially progress this matter and so I am formally requesting that a full council meeting is convened immediately and that this evidence, and all previous correspondence from all sources, be presented to the councillors with a motion to reverse the decision and reinstate the posts of secondary school librarians.

Theresa Breslin, Carnegie medal winning author, 2016 president of CILIPS (Chartered Institute of Librarians and Information Profes sionals in Scotland).