Sir, – I note the recommendation of the Oireachtas subcommittee on Irish and the Gaeltacht regions that the Department of Education allocate funding to increase the collection of Irish language books in school libraries (“Low level of expenditure on Irish language books in libraries ‘disgraceful’, says Oireachtas report”, News, November 18th).
There is an erroneous notion that it is commonplace for schools in this country to have libraries.
Recently published research, in which I was involved, shows that only 30 of the 700 second-level schools in the country are funded by the State so as to provide a library service that aligns with best practice internationally.
In the remaining 670, if schools do have libraries, it is due to the very commendable vision and commitment of management and staff where most rely on the volunteerism of staff members, in-school fundraising and book donations to provide a service.
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Our study shows a level of provision, in most cases where it does exist, that is far out of line with education policy and funding measures for school libraries in developed countries.
Calls for book funding for schools are worthy and welcome, as are calls for the expansion of fully funded school libraries to all Deis schools. Why, however, has the Department of Education, throughout the history of the State, not moved to provide a library service in all second-level schools here, when the norm in schools in developed countries around the world is a professionally staffed, state-funded and supported service that is central to a school’s curriculum, reading, literacy and information skills programmes? – Yours, etc,
BREEGE O’BRIEN,
Newport,
Co Mayo.
