Drawing from one case study
out of a larger dataset of six schools, this paper details how one Singapore school
transformed its school library, making it a central place for reading within
the school. Data collected provided evidence of the kinds of strategies, programs
and design that works to encourage reading. This study found that factors for
building a reading culture include: (1) curating the book selection for
readers, (2) making books visible (3) creating programs to excite readers, (4)
designing spaces for reading, and (5) building an ecology for reading.
Other important findings
include:
- It
is not so much the number of books as the selection of books that contributes
to student interest in visiting the school library.
- The
design and organization of space can shape learning behaviors positively.
Designing a library by using relevant programs and policies can result in more
productive use of library spaces to help encourage reading.
- Teachers
and librarians can engage in a form of evidence-based practice to track the
effectiveness of their interventions at school.
Chin, E. L., Ellis, M., Paculdar, A. A., & Hao Wan, Z. (2017).
Building a successful reading culture through the school library: A case study
of a Singapore secondary school. IFLA
Journal, 43(4), 335-347. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0340035217732069
