Running a PTA

Ten tips for your dream school library

BookSpace’s Christopher White shares his advice

  1. Incorporate insights from key members of staff, such as the English lead or literacy coordinator. Inviting them to participate in the design process will result in a library that works from several different perspectives.
  2. Explore Instagram and Pinterest to get a feel for how you want your library to look. To estimate costs, browse a school library furniture supplier’s website. At BookSpace, we are always available to discuss what will work best for your specific size and space. If you want a theme, choose something that will stand the test of time.
  3. Stock a wide range of reading material. There’s a lot of research to indicate that boys, in particular, engage well with comics, graphic novels and non-fiction.
  4. Encourage pupils to get involved, but provide guidelines to avoid disappointment. While a zombie cave or disco ball may be fun, you aren’t genuinely going to install one.
  5. Make sure your library furniture is high quality and hard wearing. A domestic bookcase, for example, isn’t designed for the demands of a busy school environment. Check the length of the warranty; five years is a good sign the materials used can stand the test of time.
  6. Ensure upholstery fabric is suitable for small children. For pupils in Early Years and key stage 1, fabric should be washable and antimicrobial.
  7. Clear signage helps children easily find what they are looking for and boosts their confidence in using and enjoying the library. Flexible signage allows you to create special displays for events such as World Book Day or National Poetry Day.
  8. Research suggests children are likely to engage more with books when they can see the covers. Incorporate wall-mounted displays and invest in flexible shelving with areas that face outwards.
  9. Rather than buying fixed bookcases, install mobile furniture in the middle of the library so you can rearrange it for a fresh look. You may even be able to hold book fairs and library fundraisers in the space.
  10. Give your library a secure future by ensuring staff, pupils and the PTA are all invested in it. Agree ongoing funding and elect a squad of Year 5 and 6 librarians to help look after it.

Further reading