All of these books are recommended for school librarians. Most have been written by former or current members of the SLG Committee. It also includes two books by Margaret Merga, whose books on reading and libraries are highly recommended.
CILIP members get a 35% discount on all Facet Publishing books – a great membership benefit!
School libraries are an integral part of the education system, helping every learner begin a relationship with the library that should be lifelong – from school to college or university, though to work and public libraries.
This fully updated and revised version of the essential CILIP-endorsed guidelines for secondary school libraries addresses the current and changing schools’ landscape and impact of social, cultural and technological changes of recent years. Focusing on the librarian at the heart of the school, each chapter interweaves best practice, technological development and context-specific options to provide clear guidance and support for all involved in the provision of school library services. The guidelines cover:
- Staffing and Management
- Policies and Planning
- Information literacy
- Developing Students As Readers
- Marketing, Promotion and Advocacy
- Evaluation
- Partnership
- CPD
- Mental Health and Wellbeing.
Developed with an international audience in mind, these guidelines provide a comprehensive and flexible model for setting up and running a modern school library service. A seminal work that is vital reading for those working in school library services, teachers, school governors and students of librarianship.
Creating A School Library With Impact: A Beginner’s Guide by SLG Committee Members (Past & Past)
Creating a School Library with Impact: A Beginners Guide is an introductory manual for anyone entering or looking to enter the exciting world of school librarianship in primary or secondary school settings. It provides readers with everything they need to know and understand from day one. It is an invaluable guide to this exciting profession.
The Networked Librarian by Sarah Pavey
The role of the school librarian is varied, extending far beyond resource management and collection curation, to include collaboration and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders for both curriculum support and leisure time. Whether working individually, as part of a library team, or as part of a broader team within the school, local or global community, building and maintaining relationships has become an essential skill.
The Innovative School Librarian (2nd Edition) Edited by Sharon Markless
This book takes a strategic approach to the leadership of school libraries and will inspire and enable school librarians to think creatively about their work and the community in which they operate. Key topics covered include:
- The librarian’s philosophy and professional identity.
- Bridging the gap between different visions for the school library.
- Identifying and understanding our community.
- Making a positive response to change.
- Keeping inspired and inspiring others.
- Integrating the library into teaching and learning.
Creating A Reading Culture In Primary and Secondary Schools: A Practical Guide by Margaret Merga
Drawing on the author’s internationally-recognised experience in this field, this book will be essential reading for anyone looking to develop reading in schools.
School Libraries Supporting Literacy and Wellbeing by Margaret Merga
Readers will be empowered to build a case for the importance of their role and library, and audit their current literacy and wellbeing offerings, and adjust or extend them where applicable based on best practice. The book also explores some of the many challenges facing school libraries and their professional staff that may need to be mitigated to ensure that they can reach their full potential for supporting student literacy and wellbeing.
Playing Games In The School Library: Developing Game-Based Lessons and Using Gamification Concepts by Sarah Pavey
Written in a comprehensive but accessible manner, Playing Games in the School Library will give readers a means of engaging with distance learning, as well as providing a more challenging environment within their physical space. It will equip them with both a practical and theoretical rationale for including the game-based approach in their work while supporting their school’s aims and objectives.
Let’s Roll: A Guide To Setting Up Tabletop Role-Playing Games In Your School or Public Library by Lucas Maxwell
Master all the skills you need to deliver a tabletop role-playing game programme in the library! For librarians or teachers who aren’t players themselves, the scope of role-playing games can seem overwhelming. Starting from the basics, Let’s Roll is a practical guide to delivering a tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) programme in a school or public library, all within the time constraints imposed on library sessions.
Seeing Sense by Jake Hope
Visual literacy, a universal concept that transcends traditional literacy levels and cultural backgrounds, plays a crucial role in navigating digital devices. While stigma and intimidation can hinder its adoption, Seeing Sense highlights how visual literacy can promote reading, aspiration, and achievement among young people. The book showcases global research and best practices, offering guidance for librarians and educators to confidently use visual literacy in reading engagement strategies. It explores its impact on library design and displays, and provides practical case studies demonstrating its effectiveness in making reading accessible, engaging, and appealing for all.
Visual Literacy for Libraries by Nicola Brown, Kalia Bussert, Denise Hattwig & Ann Medaillle
This book explores the transformative role of visual literacy in 21st-century education, offering librarians and educators practical tools, strategies, and ready-to-use activities to enhance student learning and engagement through visual media. It emphasises the need to critically view, utilise, and create visual content in an increasingly image-rich culture, while providing techniques to boost confidence in applying visual literacy in library settings. With guidance on advocating for visual literacy, using visual materials effectively, and mastering ethical practices, the book empowers educators to make learning more accessible and dynamic, serving as an essential resource for professionals and students across various sectors.
Reading By Right Edited by Joy Court
Reading by Right explores the vital role of reading for pleasure in improving life chances, social cohesion, and democracy, with a focus on libraries’ efforts to support reluctant and struggling readers. This book combines research, practical insights, and international examples, including successful projects from Korea and Finland, to inspire partnerships and improve reading accessibility. Covering political frameworks, strategies for addressing reading barriers, diversity in publishing, and case studies from libraries, it serves as a valuable resource for educators, librarians, policymakers, and students across various sectors.
Roll for Adventure: Tabletop Role-Playing Adventures for Your School or Public Library by Lucas Maxwell
This practical guide is designed for librarians, teachers, school staff, and parents who want to run tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) with confidence, even if they are complete beginners. Featuring five ready-to-play adventures, a clear glossary of TTRPG terms, safety tools, and practical tips for both new players and first-time Game Masters, it provides everything needed to get started straight away. The book also offers advice on setting up role-playing sessions or festivals in schools, plus handy lists of potions, magic items, and non-player characters with detailed motivations and roles. As a companion to Lucas Maxwell’s bestselling Let’s Roll, it is an essential resource for anyone looking to create engaging, imaginative, and fun gaming experiences.
Radical School Librarianship: A Global Response by Judi Moreillon
Radical School Librarianship is a vital resource for school librarians and educators seeking to foster equality, diversity, inclusion, and intellectual freedom (EDIIF) within their communities. Drawing on the expertise of librarian leaders from across the world, the book offers inspiration, strategies, and practical actions to support EDIIF, with chapters exploring how to serve immigrant and refugee students, celebrate LGBTQIA+ authors and books, promote literacy in inequitable contexts, champion diversity through book awards and social media, and respond to shifting social and political challenges. Showcasing exemplary practices from countries including Australia, Croatia, Ecuador, Germany, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, South Africa, Türkiye, the UK, and the US, it provides both guidance and encouragement for librarians committed to creating inclusive and empowering learning environments.
Championing Your School Library: A Practical Guide to Advocacy, Marketing and Promotion by Barbara Band
This book is a practical and insightful guide that draws on the real experiences of library staff and young people to show how libraries can effectively support children and young people in care. It outlines the historical role libraries have played, explains the social policy context that shapes current practice, and highlights how libraries today are adapting to meet the needs of vulnerable youth. The book also explores the significant barriers faced by care-experienced young people and offers concrete strategies, backed by international case studies, to help librarians develop effective, empathetic services. Overall, it serves as an essential resource for anyone looking to build more inclusive and supportive library environments.
Libraries and Care-experienced Children and Young People: A Practical Guide by John Vincent
This book is a practical and insightful guide that draws on the real experiences of library staff and young people to show how libraries can effectively support children and young people in care. It outlines the historical role libraries have played, explains the social policy context that shapes current practice, and highlights how libraries today are adapting to meet the needs of vulnerable youth. The book also explores the significant barriers faced by care-experienced young people and offers concrete strategies, backed by international case studies, to help librarians develop effective, empathetic services. Overall, it serves as an essential resource for anyone looking to build more inclusive and supportive library environments.
50 Library Lessons and Idea by Lucas Maxwell
50 Library Lessons and Ideas is a lively, practical resource filled with creative activities designed to spark a love of reading among students. Divided into two sections, it first offers clear guidance on organizing library programs—from running book clubs and launching book awards to supporting reluctant readers and helping children build confidence reading aloud. The second section presents a wide variety of engaging, low-cost activities using films, novels, manga, poetry, LEGO®, and more to boost reading enjoyment and participation. With adaptable step-by-step instructions for quizzes, scavenger hunts, charades, and creative writing tasks, the book equips educators to address topics such as misinformation, wellbeing, and exploring nonfiction. Accessible and inspiring, it serves as an essential toolkit for school librarians and teachers seeking to deepen students’ reading engagement.
Too often, school librarians take on their roles without sufficient training or a clear understanding of their professional contribution, leaving libraries undervalued within schools. This practical guide champions school librarians as essential educators who foster independent learning, critical thinking, literacy, and inquiry skills. Drawing on the IFLA School Library Guidelines and the FOSIL (Framework Of Skills for Inquiry Learning), it provides clear guidance on professional practice, including literacy, reading promotion, media and information literacy, inquiry-based learning, technology integration, and teacher development. Empowering librarians to become strategic leaders, the book helps them articulate their impact and position the library as a vital part of the school’s educational mission. A valuable resource for school librarians, educators, and school leaders in primary and secondary education.
International School Librarianship: Advice and Stories from Around the Globe by Alan Jacques
This book brings together the experiences of school librarians from around the world, capturing practical knowledge that might otherwise be lost across time, geography, and professional contexts. Featuring contributions from experienced and award-winning librarians in the UK, US, Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, Kenya, Mexico, and New Zealand, each chapter combines a personal story with theory to explore effective library practice. Topics include storytelling, collection development, cultural sensitivity, career transitions, and collaboration in multicultural environments. Blending professional insight with real-world experience, this accessible book offers both an introduction for new librarians and fresh perspectives for experienced practitioners.
