Douthit, Chris

CO

Huysmans, F., Kleijnen, E., Broekhof, K., & van Dalen, T. (2013). The library at school: effects on reading attitude and reading frequency. Performance Measurements and Metrics, 14(2), 142-156. doi: 10.1108/PMM-05-2013-0013

Summary: The authors examined the influence of a national program called Library at School on students’ reading ability and habits in Dutch schools.   They note that public libraries have faced serious challenges in the Netherlands, but there is a major need for a strong culture of reading, as children who read well and often when young do better in school and life when older.  The Library at School program is a joint venture between public libraries, municipalities, and schools.  The authors found, however, that the program was not as effective as influence from trusted adults—parents, teachers, etc.  The authors recommend that “Only when the Library at School is integrated with the entire course curriculum will the investment in bringing the library facilities into the school pay off: for the public library itself, for the schools and the teachers, but first and foremost for the pupils in their later lives.”

Evaluation: This is an important article for highlighting the need for fully integrating and utilizing a school libraries and teacher librarians in the curriculum.  It is not enough merely to ask a librarian to come give a talk once in a while. Instead, for students to really appreciate the skill and expertise of the teacher librarian, trust his or her judgment, and accept his or her advice, the students need to see the teacher librarian as a trusted ally.  The authors say it best, “The employment by libraries of reading-media consultants in the schools, who support and facilitate both teachers and pupils, should not become the last item of the budget. The potential success of the program, as indicated by the reinforcement of children's inclination to read, will depend to a considerable extent on their efforts.”