Petitioner: Duncan Wright on behalf of Save Scotland's School Libraries
Status:
Closed
Date Lodged:
16 October 2015
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to set out a new national strategy for school libraries which recognises the vital role of high quality school libraries in supporting pupils’ literacy and research skills.
Summary:
24 November 2015: The Committee took evidence from Duncan Wright, and Yvonne Manning, Chair, School Library Advocacy Group, Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government, the Educational Institute of Scotland, Unison Scotland, COSLA and the Scottish Youth Parliament. Link to Official Report 24 November 2015
26 January 2016: The Committee agreed to write to the Association of Directors of Education Scotland and COSLA. Link to Official Report 26 January 2016
8 March 2016: The Committee agreed to include the petition in its legacy paper for consideration by the Session 5 Public Petitions Committee. Link to Official Report 8 March 2016
29 September 2016: The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government and the Scottish Library and Information Council. Link to Official Report 29 September 2016
8 December 2016: The Committee agreed to write to COSLA and the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland. Link to Official Report 8 December 2016
2 March 2017: The Committee agreed to invite the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills to give evidence at a future meeting. Link to Official Report 2 March 2017
20 April 2017: The Committee agreed to reflect on the evidence from the Deputy First Minister and to consider a note by the clerk at a future meeting. Link to the Official Report.
25 May 2017: The Committee agreed to write to the Deputy First Minister. Link to Official Report 25 May 2017
9 November 2017: The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders on the basis that the petitioner considers that there is a clear plan for development and delivery of the strategy announced by the Deputy First Minister, with an appropriate timescale in place. Link to Official Report 9 November 2017
Written Submissions:
We firmly believe that school libraries are unique in their ability to support teaching and learning and should be the central resource of every school, open every day and staffed by a professionally trained librarian. We believe that all learners should have equal access to a qualified school librarian.
Currently in Scotland this is not the case and the situation is deteriorating rapidly. We firmly believe that this needs to be addressed. Please show your support be signing this petition and if appropriate highlighting how your school library helped you.