Libraries For Primaries Event
The other day I had the pleasure of attending the pre-launch event of the Libraries for Primaries report being published by the National Literacy Trust. The event was a celebration of a cause that deeply resonates with me: ensuring that every primary school child has access to a library at their schools.
At the event, I had the honour of meeting the beloved author Jacqueline Wilson and some amazing and inspiring pupil librarians. The pupil librarians kindly guided me towards their favourite books that I could gift my grandchildren. They’re well used to receiving books from me; a fact you might not know is that my cat Hobbes was the inspiration for the Tower Bridge Cat series by author Tee Dobinson, so reading has been a special part of our relationships.
Primary school children’s access to books
Libraries for Primaries highlighted that 1 in 7 state primary schools in the UK lack a dedicated library or reading space. When in our country, only 1 in 10 children from disadvantaged backgrounds have a book of their own at home, primary school libraries play a crucial role in bridging this gap.
As the former Chair of the Education Select Committee and someone with a life-long interest in our education system, I firmly believe in the profound importance of ensuring that every child, regardless of their background or location, has access to the wonderful world of books. Libraries play a core role in shaping our kids’ futures. As author Malorie Blackman has put it “I wouldn’t be an author, or indeed the person I am today, if it hadn’t been for my primary school library.”
I am thrilled to witness key initiatives such as Libraries for Primaries that aim to foster a love for learning and literature in young people. With 4 in 5 children saying that they want to use the library more, 86% of parents saying that they would support making primary school libraries mandatory, and cross-sector experts rigorously demonstrating the necessity of libraries in primary schools through their report, it is clear that a governmental action is overdue.
The Conservative government must act
The Conservative Government has highlighted the importance of reading for pleasure and set an expectation of 90% of primary school children reaching the expected reading standard by 2030. Beyond these suggestions, the government is yet to take action to ensure our kids have access to books as early in their lives as possible. How can a government make such claims when 750,000 of our children do not have access to a library in their schools?
I urge the Conservative government to endorse the Libraries for Primaries campaign, and commit to match-funding the necessary investments for our children to have access to books regardless of their background.