Library's at School

[PeanutBellyJam]

Not sure if this is the right board for this but... our eldest will start reception next year. I moved to the UK at 19 so didn't attend school here. My DH is British and went to school in North London but he's 50 so it was awhile ago! Visiting schools is the first time I've been inside a primary school in England. We've only seen 4 so far but they have each been so different. I am feeling overwhelmed.
2 things have stood out to me school libraries and playing fields/sports areas/playgrounds

1 of the schools has 3 library's all really well stocked (they have a reading bus which is an out of action old red double decker) another had an old train carriage being worked on to move their library to

The school I liked the most for our child had a library corner (really underwhelming) that could only be used by the year 3-6's and the school is located in a sort of village so no local library but is close to 3 towns which all have libraries including ours which we use loads already so I know my kids will have access to that.

The other 2 schools are also in my town so they have their school libraries and the town

It suddenly got me thinking about how unfair that seems for the children in the school, some parents won't have the means or some the inclination to travel to the library.

Parents/teachers/anyone whose been there already how important do you think a school library is? And thoughts on if we joined the school getting a library bus/train on the agenda and fundraising for? Do you think I could ask the school about their plans/thoughts?

If you like the school then you should definitely ask them what (if any) their plans are for a library. Maybe there's a reason why they don't have one already- ie: age appropriate books are stored within classrooms rather than having a dedicated library space?

At the school where I govern they have moved a number of books out the library and into the classrooms to make them easier for the children to access. Could this have happened at the last school?

Definitely feel free to ask the school about their library. But please ask open questions. Ask about their approach to reading, and how they encourage children to read. Ask how R-Y2 access books other than their phonics books....where is the library for them?

Think about the size of the school vs the number of books in the library. More kids =more books.

Don't discount a school you love jist because there is minimal library facilities....there are things you can do.....find raise for more books etc

Where I work we have a baths to sit in to read a book, beds to curl up on with books, a library with sofas and easy chairs.....etc....it's lovely. The school I govern at has had less funding and less 'gimmicks'but still dies everything they can to foster a love of reading.

Is it the same size school? You could definitely ask them questions about how they support reading. You could ask them now, or on joining. Once there, you could raise the idea. There are also cheaper ways than a bus. My kids school have just added bookcases outside the classrooms (undercover and with some sort of cover/lock at night). They can borrow one book at a time and change it any day at home time.

A brilliant library is no use without the guidance of a staff member/librarian.
The kids had the most amazing library when we lived abroad. It was stuffed full of books. Yet DS2 spent about 18 months bringing home Dr Seuss books, then 18 months bringing home beast quest..

I'd ask for the attitudes to reading rather than look at how much money has been spent.

Thank you for all your replies! I appreciate the insights and suggestions.

It suddenly got me thinking about how unfair that seems for the children in the school, some parents won't have the means or some the inclination to travel to the library
parental influence is huge. Much more than anything else. If a parent wont have the inclination to go to a local library, it doesn't matter how many books are in that child's book bag, they are not getting read.