a reading space in every school

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

A Reading Space in Every School

Kathleen Moran Barbara Davis

Joe Kelly

JCSP Demonstration Library Project 18th April 2015

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

What is the JCSP?

.

The JCSP is an intervention within the Junior cycle aimed at those students who are identified as being at risk of leaving school early perhaps without completing

The Junior Certificate.

All JCSP Students sit the Junior Cert examinations

A Social Inclusion Programme

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

JCSP - AIMS of the Programme

To retain students To bridge the gap

To build strong and positive learning

foundations

To make school relevant and accessible to

young people who find it difficult to cope with the

school system.

www.jcspliteracy.ie

JCSP Library Project Established under the Department of Education and Skills in 2002.The brief of the JCSP Demonstration Library Project was to: • Improve literacy levels • Develop a whole school reading

culture • Enhance the learning experience of

our students

To date the project has expanded

• into 30 schools across Ireland, • all in designated areas of

disadvantage • Each library is staffed by a full-time professional Librarian

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

Things to Consider

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

Location Ideally: • located at the heart of the school

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

• highly visible and accessible to all staff and students

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

• well lit with plenty of natural light

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

Location But it can be:

• An open area in the school • A section of a common area • A corner of a classroom • A shelf of books • A mobile trolley

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

Ambience • Comfortable

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

Active Learning Space • Independent Learning

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

Active Learning Space • Collaborative Learning

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

Active Learning Space • Research

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

• Exhibition space • Facilitator space

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

Access Things to Consider: • Regular and open access is crucial – who

is responsible? - (class teacher, post holder, SNA, student volunteers, parent volunteers, etc.)

• Timetable library classes (where possible) • Facilitate outside class time access (where

possible)

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

Library Management Systems System Types: • Proprietary Systems • Open Source • Database e.g. Access • Spreadsheet e.g. Excel • Manual e.g. Ledger, Library card

system

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

Stock Not just novels..... – Non-Fiction

– Magazines – Newspapers – Leaflets – E-books – Audio Books – CDs – DVDs – Board games – Graphic texts – Software – Picture Books – Subject topic boxes

- Foreign language texts - Reference texts - Instructional manuals - Annuals - Biographies - Short reads - Poetry - Dictionaries - Atlases - Class sets - Games - Online resources - Teacher resources

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

Stock • Stock must be suitable, varied,

accessible, appropriate • Survey students • Less is more – Be ruthless in

getting rid of old, torn or boring books

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

Better with this...

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

Than this:

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

Every book must earn it’s place!

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

Collection Development Things to consider... • What are your current priorities for collection

development? – Curriculum support – Reading for pleasure – Digital literacy – Independent reading – Shared reading – Reading for information – Teacher resources – Family literacy

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

Collection Development Things to consider... • Who are you buying for?

– Senior Cycle – Junior Cycle – Boys – Girls – Mixed – Confident readers – Reluctant readers – Staff – Parents

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

Collection Development Things to consider... • Budget:

– Identify sources of funding – Shop around for best deals and discounts – Allocate available funding across priority areas

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

Collection Development Things to consider... • Alternative sources of stock:

– Public Libraries • Institutional membership for schools • Block loans • Class sets available for loan

– Collaboration between local schools

– Seek donations

– Charity shops

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

Furniture Things to Consider... • Shelving – Wall mounted v Free

standing • Comfortable seating – Chairs, Sofas • Bean Bags • Book carousels, magazine racks, book

boxes, etc. • CD/DVD carousels • Clear, legible signage

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

• Always include as much face-out display as possible • Use available space to display student work • Noticeboards• Colourful posters to encourage reading • Change displays regularly • Themed displays • Encourage browsing – coffee tables, etc. • Book display stands • Magazine racks • Electronic notice board • Book reviews

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

• Social media • Book reviews • Author of the Month

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

Where to Start....

1. Centralise 2. Categorise 3. Evaluate

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

Reading Promotion

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

The Re(a)d Wall

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

Themed Promotions

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

Reading Role Models

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

Digital Options

E-Books Audio Books

JCSP Library Project Supporting Literacy and Learning in Irish Schools

Thank You

www.jcspliteracy.ie

info@jcsplibraries.ie @jcsplibraries