SUGGESTED RESOLUTIONS FOR GOOD SCHOOL LIBRARIES

POLICY, STRATEGY AND PLANS

1. A common policy for all schools be compiled and sanctioned by NALIS.
2. Standardized directives from the Ministry and SLS should have flexibility to suit local situations.
3. All stakeholders should be involved in the development of library policies.
4. An electronic use policy should be developed.
5. There be consultancy with individual schools on a regular basis.
6. Be it resolved that school libraries should have a clear, precise, documented policy that is workable and comprehensive, created from input by all concerned and geared to achieving the goals of the school library vis a vis the mission of the school.
7. Policies should be evaluated periodically.
8. Library policies should be reviewed after one year.
9. Comprehensive strategies should be developed.
   

MONITORING AND EVALUATION

1. NALIS and SLS should ensure that all school libraries are equal - financially, staff wise and collection wise.
2. Greater emphasis should be placed on monitoring and evaluation.
3. That library services be monitored and evaluated on a regulated basis to ensure that best practices are in place.
4. That periodic assessments be done along with performance management appraisal.
5. Documentation should be provided annually in an annual report.
   

STAFFING

1. Be it resolved that school libraries are adequately staffed and provided with continuous opportunities for professional development, adequately remunerated, staffed and recognized.
2. The salary packages should be compatible with the desired status of the role and function of librarians.
3. There is a need for an awareness campaign to enlighten those who would want to upgrade in the field.
4. Ministries and governing bodies of schools should place maximum emphasis on procuring qualified library staff and making unqualified staff qualified.
5. A fully staffed school library with fully trained professionals.
6. Adherence to standardized staffing structures as determined by the size of the school population.
7. Staff at alll levels to be in possession of certified library qualifications commensurate with the job position.
8. Salary scale should be revised to attract staff.
9. Libraries should be staffed by trained personnel.
10. That the staff situation be reviewed to address the problem of wages, mobility and training.
11. Staff development - Continuous training should be provided, including training in technological advances.
12. That qualified librarians be supplied for all schools.

LIBRARY SPACE AND LAYOUT

1. All libraries should be built as close as possible to international standards.
2. Should be in keeping with the Ministry of Education's changing trends and educational policy.
3. Various sample plans for space and layout be drawn.
   
4. Space must be standardized according to the school population considering future needs.
5. The library should be renovated to cater for the physically challenged.
6. School library Services must play a greater role in making sure that certain guidelines and standards are met.
7. . Guidelines should be given to schools for library improvement.

FURNITURE SHELVING EQUIPMENT

1. Adequate funding and implementation of the results of the Ministry's survey.
2. NALIS should create a policy for adequately providing furniture, both quality and quantity.
3. The government should provide funding.
4. Steps should be taken to ensure that guidelines are followed.
5. That adequate funds be provided for the purchase of suitable library furniture and shelving.
6. Be it resolved that all libraries should have adequate and appropriate equipment and furniture.
7. . Basic standards for libraries to be defined, alongside regional standards.
8. . Resolve that provision be made from national budgets for the maintenance and periodic change of furniture etc.
9. Equipment should be compatible with the resources in the school library.
10. Shelving and furniture must be selected according to the environment- preferably adjustable, metal shelving should be provided.
11. Provisions should be made in budgets annually for maintenance and for periodic change of themes and ambience.

RESOURCES

1. Be it resolved that in order to establish a strong collection, measures should be put in place to build and maintain collection development.
2. Libraries should be equipped with all sources of information (CDs, Videos etc.).
   
3. Be it resolved that innovative media be available and promoted in the library.
4. That adequate resources are acquired in all formats.
5. That the infrastructure support preservation and conservation issues.
6. Interest groups should be formed - 'Friends of the Library.
7. All libraries should have a well-balanced collection of resources.
8. That training be upgraded.
9. Technology to be improved.
10. There should be adequate technology.
11. That libraries should be kept current and relevant to the curriculum.

ORGANISATION

1. Be it resolved that staff be provided with both print and electronic cataloguing tools, and the necessary on-going training for the use of such.
2. Be it resolved that Dewey be strictly used and that it be revised to assigned subjects with varied treatments to related numbers.
3. That all library staff be adequately trained in computer applications in libraries.
4. DDC be revised to accommodate scattered collections.
5. There should be national standards and guidelines for the organization of libraries.
6. Any policies and standards should be implemented and evaluated.

LIBRARY USE

1. The type and nature of the collection and the introduction of a library and information skills programme are core factors for the promotion of library use.
2. Create and implement specific legislation and standards to be evaluation tools for professional library inspectors (similar to school inspectors) for the establishment of school library media centres.
3. We strive to achieve the goals of the curriculum with our given resources.
   
4. A library component be included in the teacher training curriculum.
5. Strategies should be devised to encourage library use.
6. The survey needs to ascertam which countries have documented skills proarammes so that every country will have guidelines for school libraries.
7. Be it resolved that every school have a timetabled library and information skills programme at every school entrance level in the school.
8. Create and implement legislation, policies and standards to be used for the establishment of school library media centres and also serve as an evaluation tool for professional library inspection.
9. Library use programmes should be timetabled.
10. To strive to achieve the strength of the curriculum with the given resources.
11. Gain support and recognition from teachers and administration.

From the school library workshop, Tuesday 6 May, 2003