Government Urged to Prioritize Staffed School Libraries
ÖSTERSUND – As the summer vacation draws to a close, calls for the government to address the issue of staffed school libraries have been growing louder. Helene Öberg, in a submission to Östersunds-Posten, has appealed to the government to “take the bill on staffed school libraries out of the drawer.”
The demand for staffed school libraries is not a new one. Earlier this year, in January 2023, book publisher Hegas presented an appeal to Education Minister Lotta Edholm, carrying thousands of signatures, urging for the staffing of school libraries. In response, Edholm expressed her positivity regarding the idea of staffed school libraries just last month in June.
However, while Edholm has shown support for the initiative, she has also highlighted the importance of thorough preparation. “The matter must be prepared before she can say how it will turn out,” she stated. This cautious approach from the education minister has sparked frustration among advocates who believe that immediate action is necessary.
Staffed school libraries offer numerous benefits to students, providing a valuable resource for research, promoting independent reading, and fostering a love for books. Studies have consistently shown that students who have access to well-stocked and staffed libraries tend to perform better academically.
Teachers and parents alike are hoping that the government takes heed of these calls and prioritizes the establishment of staffed school libraries. It is seen as a crucial step in providing equal educational opportunities to all students and closing the gap in access to resources between schools.
As the new academic year starts, the pressure on the government to address this issue is mounting. The future of thousands of children’s academic development hangs in the balance, and the government is urged to take immediate action to fulfill its commitment to provide quality education for all.