Judging Success
Effective libraries must contribute to school improvement and pupils’ learning.
Most schools will have their own templates for self evaluation and review. The library should be included within this process and contribute to the school review. Some of the measures used will be library specific, but others may draw on information gathered by colleagues to illustrate that the library and librarian has made a contribution to raising standards.
School Library Award
Schools can self-evaluate through SLS-UK’s School Library Award. This is a tool for you to assess the impact of your own school library. It looks at 20 key library activities including quality of stock, reading promotional activities and involvement of staff. SLS UK guides you to your nearest Schools Library Service who will judge your self-assessment and award a certificate to schools achieving “establishing” level or above in 10 or more activities, with a Gold Award Certificate for schools achieving “enhancing” level in 15 activities. There is a small administration charge for your application
Benchmark Checklist
 PDF Version |
 Excel Spreadsheet version |
| Benchmark | Yes | No | Comments | Future action required |
| School has library and / or book corners in each classroom | ||||
| School has current library policy | ||||
| Library included in school development plan | ||||
| Library has at least 10 books per pupil | ||||
| School replaces at least 10% stock each year | ||||
| There is a separate library budget | ||||
| Stock is edited throughout the year | ||||
| School uses nearest Schools Library Service | ||||
| Library is strategically managed by a professional librarian | ||||
| Library staffed by volunteer (s) | ||||
| Library is staffed by paid adult | ||||
| Team of children librarians are trained and help run the library | ||||
| Library is accessible all day (i.e. not closed to individuals because of group work, music lessons etc) | ||||
| Library is open before and after school | ||||
| Library is attractive & welcoming | ||||
| Shelving/ furniture is age appropriate | ||||
| Books are displayed attractively to promote reading | ||||
| Library guiding and signs are clear & simple | ||||
| Fiction is arranged in alphabetical order | ||||
| Non- fiction is classified by the Dewey System | ||||
| Library has a range of non book resources | ||||
| Library has internet access for children in the library / adjacent space | ||||
| Library issue and management system is computerised and networked around the school (i.e. every teaching area and for use on a white board) | ||||
| Each class visits the library regularly for project work and there is a planned integrated programme of support for developing independent learning skills | ||||
| Classes visit regularly to choose books for recreational reading | ||||
| Children can use the library independently | ||||
| Reading for pleasure promoted in school | ||||
| Children can borrow books from the library | ||||
| Every child has a book on loan from the library | ||||
| Book club or library club run on a regular basis | ||||
| TOTAL indicators |
