How good is your

school library?
Studies have shown that good school library
programs have a significant effect on the
learning achievement of students of all ages.
It is critical that you take an interest in this
important area of the school at a time
when funding has been reduced for
most school libraries in Ontario.
Rate your
school library.
Talk to the teacher-librarian, the principal, teachers and
school board trustees. Here are some questions to ask.

1. Is the school library staffed by a professional

teacher-librarian? Did you know that since 1997/1998,
the number of elementary schools with full-time teacher-
librarians has declined 80% and those with a part-time
teacher-librarian have declined 30%? 20% of high schools
in Ontario do not have full-time teacher-librarians!1

2. Is there adequate time for the teacher-librarian

to work with students and with teachers? Are
there technicians or clerical staff to process and organize
the materials so they are available and accessible for the
teacher-librarian? Or, is the teacher-librarian doing this
instead of working with students and teachers?

3. Does the teacher-librarian have program flexibili-

ty throughout the day? Is the library open to students
before, during and after school? These are critical hours for
students to be able to follow through on classroom work.

4. What is the annual school library budget for

materials? Canadian standards recommend $26-35 per
elementary student, $36-45 for each secondary student.1

5. Are the print and electronic materials in the

school library current and a good match for topics
being studied? Do they promote Canadian culture
and the love of reading?

6. Does the teacher-librarian help students make

the best use of the Web? Do teacher-librarians help
students get past Google to go deep into the hidden Web?

If the answers to these questions do not provide

you with a level of confidence…
• Ask your school how you can help improve the library.
• Get the school library on the School Council’s agenda.
• Join the Ontario Coalition for School Libraries, a group of
concerned citizens, businesses and community groups,
working to improve school library programs in Ontario.

ONTARIO COALITION FOR SCHOOL LIBRARIES

50 Wellington Street East, Suite 201, Toronto M5E 1C8
1
www.ontarioschoollibraries.ca