THERE SHOULD be a statutory obligation to provide effective libraries in schools at all levels, according to a policy statement on school library services by the Library Association of Ireland. This provision should be supported by a realistic, regular financial commitment.

The policy, which was adopted by librarians at the annual general meeting of the LAI, emphasises the crucial role of information provision in education. It recognises that the school library is "a main source of information in a school; the most effective means of access to the range of learning materials demanded by the school curriculum; a means of ensuring equality of access to information for students and staff in all schools and a means of developing a range of cultural interests including good leisure reading habits".

All schools should have access to the expertise of a professionally qualified librarian, who should liaise with staff and students to exploit and promote the full potential of the school library, the statement says. Support should be given to the development of the existing local authority school library services to primary schools and to the introduction of similar services to second level schools, the document continues. This should include the provision of resources and professional expertise.

The statement was drawn up by the School Library Development Committee, a sub-committee of the LAI. At present, the subcommittee is working towards the production of an information file for school libraries which will give practical information on all aspects of school library development and organisation at primary and second-level.

School librarians may be interested in a forthcoming visit to the state-of-the-art library at St Columba's College, Whitechurch, Dublin 16, which is being organised by the School Library Association, Republic of Ireland branch.

If you would like to visit the library, which is housed in a converted chapel in the college grounds, and which boasts such modern facilities as C-ROM and an automated library system, contact the hon. secretary, SLARI, The King's Hospital, Palmerstown, Dublin 20. Non-members are also welcome.