Scotland's education minister is being urged to intervene in a bid to protect vital school librarian posts which are under threat due to a series of proposed local authority cuts.
The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland (CILIPS), the professional body for librarians, has written to Shirley-Anne Somerville after at least four local authorities proposing to “delete” all school librarian posts in their council area.
The body argues it would mean the loss of entire profession in some areas and would be detrimental to pupil’s education and is urging the Scottish Government to provide some statutory or ring-fenced protection for school librarians.
Sean McNamara, head of CILIPS, said they were seeking support and Scottish Government intervention in the current situation facing school libraries and librarians in Scotland.
North Lanarkshire is proposing to scrap all school library posts and removing library spaces in some schools; while Inverclyde is proposing to replace all school librarian posts with assistants from the public library service. East Renfrewshire is proposing to scrap all school library posts, and Midlothian who had previously proposed to remove all school library posts have temporarily postponed the decision.
