Prologue
“Building a gateway to knowledge”
A library is the lighthouse of a school, guiding students through the
vast ocean of knowledge, illuminating their paths with wisdom and
anchoring them in a lifelong love for learning. The establishment of a
functional school library is more than just stacking shelves with
books, it is about creating a vibrant hub of knowledge, inspiration
and curiosity for students and teachers. To build a successful library
one must first understand its purpose, it is not only a silent place
where children read books but a space where a lifelong love for
refining research skills, learning and exploring worlds beyond their
own. Creating a successful library requires consistency, dedication
and well thought out plans. This is a guide to establish a functional
school library, one that cultivates a space where knowledge is not
just stored but also brought to life. Let us go on a ride and create a
library that empowers every student.
Table of content
The blueprint………………………………………………………………………4
Design…………………………………………………………………………………5
Collection and organizing…………………………………………………….6
Achieve a smooth running system………………………………………7
Bibliography………………………………………………………………………..8
Acknowledgement……………………………………………………………….8
Glossary……………………………………………………………………………….9
Reference…………………………………………………………………………….9
1. The blueprint- defining your library’s
purpose
The first step is understanding your school’s needs. Each school has a
unique culture, student demographic and academic focus. It is
essential to assess:
-What subjects and genres will benefit the students?
-Do students need additional resources like research materials,
technology or study spaces?
-How can the library support teachers in enhancing lesson plans?
Once you understand the school’s needs, set specific goals for
example- To foster a culture of reading and independent learning,
provide access to diverse range of books and digital resources,
support classroom with supplementary resources and to create a
space which is welcoming and accessible to all students.
2. Designing a place that feels like
home
A well designed school library plays a crucial role in fostering a love for reading,
supporting academic growth and providing a peaceful space for studying. The
design should cater to students of all ages and learning styles. The library
should be divided into different zones including:
A. Reading area-A cozy space with bean bags or couches and individual reading
nooks to encourage independent reading and a peaceful space for each
learner.
B. Study and Research Zone-Equipped with tables, chairs and individual desks
for focused research and studying.
C. Technology and digital media centre- Computers, tablet and internet access
for digital learning, online resources and research. There should be
smartboards or interactive screens for presentations and also charging stations
for students using electronic devices.
D. Collaborative workspaces- Group study tables or small discussion rooms for
students working on projects together.
E. Librarians desk-A central location preferably near the entrance for
assistance, book checkouts and inquiries.
F. Bookshelves and Collections-Organised section for non-fiction, fiction,
reference material. Shelves should be an appropriate height. There should be
proper lighting including natural and artificial lighting. The colour scheme
should promote a welcoming atmosphere, such as warm tones or soft pastels.
More: There should be
- Ramps and wide aisles for wheelchair accessibility.
-Audiobooks and braille books for visually impaired students.
-Multilingual book sections to accommodate diverse backgrounds
-CCTV cameras for security and monitoring
Notes:
ALA *Library management, Retrieved from: https//www.ala.org/2
3. Book collection and organizing
You are going to start by establishing a budget, depending on the
available funds set a reasonable budget for acquiring books. Consider
applying for collaborations with local businesses or doing fundraising
activities. You can buy books from large retailers or local
independent bookstores. You can host a book drive or ask locals for
used books and get companies that specialise in educational value to
donate some books.
Ask both students and teachers about their reading interests,
subjects they’d like more books on and preferred genres. This is to
ensure that you are collecting books that align with their needs.
Categories you might want to include:
-Fiction- adventure, fantasy, contemporary
-Non-fiction- Educational books e.g. textbooks
-Stem- Books that focus on science, Engineering and etc.
-Graphic novels and comics
-Biographies and Autobiographies
-Multilingual books
Categorise by genre or subject to make it easier for students to
navigate. Keep an eye on new releases and trends in children
literature. Make sure books are properly maintained and ask
teachers and learners to write review on books and put them on
display somewhere in the library.
Notes:
3. Follett (2025) *Destiny library management software, Retrieved from:
https://www.folletsoftware.com/destiny
4. Ways to achieve a smooth
running system
Running a well-functioning school library involves more than just
having good books. It requires efficient systems for books checkout,
organization and staff management. Here is how you can establish a
smooth running system:
1) Use a library cataloguing system to track books. There are many
library management software options (like Google sheets) that help
you track what books are in the collection, checked out or available.
2) Make sure you have a clear system for checking books back in. For
instance, designate specific times for returns.
3) Use library management software with barcode scanning, where
students can scan books in and out.
4) Decide how many books a student can check out at one time and
how long they can keep them.
5) Charge small fines for overdue books and larger fines for lost or
damaged books.
6) Get a library manager, whose role will be to oversee that
everything is being done correctly and to keep the place stable.
7) Get library assistants, these can be students or staff members who
help maintenance of the library.
8) Create book clubs to keep the learners engaged
9) Have authors to pay a visit to the library or have story telling
session.
Notes:
Koller.l and Sweeney.K (2020) *Building and managing effective school libraries, educational publishers
Google (2023) *Google sheets for library management, Retrieved from: https://www.google.com/sheets
Bibliography
1. Google (2023) *Google sheets for library management, Retrieved
from: https://www.google.com/sheets
2. Koller.l and Sweeney.K (2020) *Building and managing effective
school libraries, educational publishers
3. Follett (2025) *Destiny library management software, Retrieved
from: https://www.folletsoftware.com/destiny
4. ALA *Library management, Retrieved from: https//www.ala.org/2
Acknowledgement
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who
contributed expertise and support in the development of this school
library guide. I would like to thank ALA, for their invaluable resources
on library management. Their website really help to bring this guide
together. Special thanks to Google, which provided a lot of
information with which we were able to find most of our sources. For
instance, Google sheets which provided an accessible and flexible
tool for organising data and tracking book usage. Thanks to all who
played a role in making this guide.
Glossary
Collaborative-involving two or more parties working together
Cultivates-try to acquire or develop
Crucial-extremely important or necessary
Fostering-encourage the development of something
Multilingual- several languages
Ramps-an upward bend in a stair rail
Retrieve-find or extract
STEM- acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
Sincere-genuine feeling
Reference
1. Koller.l and Sweeney.K (2020) *Building and managing effective
school libraries, educational publishers
2. ALA *Library management, Retrieved from: https//www.ala.org/2
3. Follett (2025) *Destiny library management software, Retrieved
from: https://www.folletsoftware.com/destiny
4. Google (2023) *Google sheets for library management, Retrieved
from: https://www.google.com/sheets
5. National standard guidelines (2020) Retrieved from:
https//www.moe.gov.na
6.By Asser Nakale(2024) Retrieved from: www.namibian.com.na
INFORMATION &
Communication
research PROJECT
Done by: Mariane Ingo
11A
