Once you have set up a Primary School library, your work is only just beginning. At Librarianstale, we know that maintaining an effective Primary School library is actually more difficult than simply getting the library off the ground. Dedication and commitment to children’s reading experiences is essential if your library is going to succeed in the long run, and have a positive influence on children’s reading and literacy.
Maintaining an effective Primary School Library involves:
Reading events in the library – Library lunches are great way to get children who are not regular library users into the library. At a library lunch, children can get involved reading or looking at a book, completing a craft activity based on the book and a snack. Tea parties are another reading event that can be incredibly successful. These should be held separately for infants and juniors. A theme is chosen and the children listen to a story, complete a carousel of craft activities with the same theme, then have a light tea before leaving with a themed party bag.
Whole school reading approach including reading corners – This is really important to raise the profile of reading and show children how important it is. Reading corners should be part of every classroom with labelled fiction and non-fiction books. Along with the reading corner, a ‘Book Board’ is also a great whole school idea. This displays the latest read, and work relating to that book. This could be art work, questions, book reviews etc. In our library we have a display for staff reads – they have the latest book the staff are reading or childhood favourites, so our children can keep an eye on the staff reading list.
Library displays throughout the school – Themed displays should be changed every half term to help keep the prominence of reading throughout the school. Make these interactive with a ‘shout-out’ area on the display for children to add their thoughts/ideas.
Getting the children themselves invested in the library with rewards, competitions and junior librarians – One of the most important aspects of maintaining an effective Primary School Library is to keep the children’s interest. Termly and half termly competitions, based around reading and books, can be a great hook to get the children involved in reading. We provide all entrants with a competitors prize, and the winners receive a large book related prize. But it doesn’t just have to be competitions, why not reward the children that are avid readers? Setting up a children’s book ambassadors scheme is the perfect way to do this.
Keeping up with recent, recommended and relevant books– Carousel quarterly publication gives book reviews on new releases. Books for Keeps is an online magazine giving up to date book reviews, publication dates etc. WRD children’s book review magazine produced quarterly with games, author interviews etc. Use all the resources you can to keep the books interesting and engaging for all age ranges.
For more information or for a Primary School Library Audit, training, or consultation, get in touch today.
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