School library provision and use: a review of HMI reports

Abstract

A survey was undertaken of a sample of HMI reports to analyse their content in respect of school library provision and use on behalf of the LISC Working Party on School Library Services. Fifty-two Primary and Secondary School reports were analysed, and revealed consider able variations. The variations in standard of school library provision are not unexpected, but the survey also identified considerable variations within the reports in the amount of information given by HMIs on school libraries, and a lack of clarity as to the standards being applied by HMIs in assessing the quantity and quality of school library provision. It is suggested that the involvement of specialist librarians in HMI inspections could help to reduce the variability in reports and would enable School Library Services to support improvements in provision where necessary.