COVER FEATURE
working with teaching colleagues, parents and pupils. They will know which books to select and can match them to the child.’ ‘If there is a Schools
SEE PAGE 41 for our roundup of grants for libraries and books
Library Service in your area, you can buy into their expertise,’ she continues. ‘Through this service, your school may be able to hire a librarian for one day a week. CILIPSLG can also recommend a school library specialist who can assist you in setting up your school library and provide occasional ongoing support.’ Mary-Rose describes how a school
librarian is not only a keeper of books: ‘They are teachers, curriculum planners, administrators, counsellors, accountants, designers
and trainers; they are disruptors, agents for change, non- conformists, collaborators, and strategists.’
Libraries for life As you work through the
project, start looking for ways to keep your library at the heart of the school, perhaps by organising an annual fundraising book fair, regular readathon or library maintenance day. Your school librarian can play a vital role in finding additional sources of funding, arranging author visits and facilitating storytelling workshops. Investing in a library enriches
education and helps pupils become lifelong learners, equipping them with essential skills for a changing world. It also encourages a fun activity that opens minds, promotes compassion and relieves the pressure of busy lives.
Next steps: l Find book ideas and reviews at
bestbooksforschools.com and
booksforkeeps.co.uk. Specialist suppliers such as Peters (
peters.co.uk), Browns (
brownsbfs.co.uk) and Norfolk Children’s Book Centre (
ncbc.co.uk) can provide curated collections of books. l Read positive stories highlighting the impact of libraries across the UK at CILIP’s Libraries Change Lives campaign:
cilip.org. uk/page/libraries-change-lives l Take a free course developed by CILIPSLG through the Open University:
open.edu/ openlearn/education-development/ an-introduction-school-librarianship l Read the Great School Libraries framework document, designed to help school leaders understand how they can find and fund a school librarian:
greatschoollibraries.org.uk l Read Creating a School Library with Impact (Facet Publishing, 2022), an invaluable guide for school librarians:
facetpublishing.co. uk/page/detail/creating-a-schoollibrary- withimpact/?k=9781783305537 l Find further training at
cilip.org.uk/ page/TrainingandCPD
part of a building improvement and maintenance programme, schools can use capital funding to invest in seating, furniture and shelving systems to maximise the available space. They can direct funds towards upgrading technology, for example by setting up digital workstations equipped with computers or tablets, as well as using it to implement security and inventory systems.’ The school and PTA can work
Fundraising for a library
Although the school may provide some funding for the library, it is unlikely to be able to cover the entire project. Kevin Parker, chief financial officer at the Little Way Catholic Educational Trust, highlights several ways schools can put their capital funding towards a library project: ‘As
together to identify grant funding opportunities. Ask if anyone on the PTA committee or in the parent community is interested in learning about how to apply for grants. Some schools set up a separate grants working group for precisely this purpose. The PTA can also assist with reaching out to alumni and asking for donations from the local community. They can contact the local or parish council, approach local charities, such as the Rotary Club, and apply for supermarket token schemes.
A library project provides an ideal
opportunity to launch larger fundraisers and community events, such as fun runs, garden parties and festivals. Top up your fundraising by holding literacy-based fundraisers. Find ideas at
pta.co.uk/fundraising/ ideas/literacy-fundraisers. Many PTAs find that working together on a major project strengthens their relationship with the school. While library projects usually
attract a lot of support and positive feelings, securing all the necessary funds can take several years, so it’s important to involve the whole community from the start. Keeping everyone updated with regular information helps maintain enthusiasm and support. Once your team has a clear idea of what it hopes to achieve, create a timeline that outlines the steps needed to complete the library, start gathering estimates and evaluating potential funding options, and set a deadline.
18 SPRING 2025 School Fundraising
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