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Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow schools to lose librarians due to budget cuts
Following a review of services, officials have proposed removing 16 school librarian posts in an attempt to save £100,000. The move comes after councillors backed the 'review' of services as part of the process for setting the council budget from 2024 to 2027. Scotland's biggest teaching union said that the cuts would deliver a "blow to the life chances of students" in Glasgow, according to The Herald. The new model being proposed would introduce a 'principal librarian' as well as allocate three school librarians to 'area-based responsibilities.' Each school will then be served by a library assistant. Officials claim that this cut will, therefore, increase library services by raising the number of hours in which facilities have some form of staffing. READ MORE: Council reprimanded by watchdog over delays affecting abuse survivors Glasgow Life recently advertised ten library assistant posts, each of which offered a maximum salary of £25,861.29. Librarian salaries for the same organisation are advertised as being up to £39,089.87 per year. One school librarian from the city said that they had been informed on Thursday that they would no longer have jobs working in schools, and alleged that they had been told not to inform school pupils. They explained that the changes will put services like book groups, lunchtime clubs and English as an Additional Language (EAL) support at risk, and rejected claims that services would be unaffected as 'propaganda' from Glasgow Life. The individual said that librarians are "heartbroken" and described Glasgow Life's handling of the situation, including the decision to wait until "right before summer" to announce the plans, as "cruel". Read more:Councillors back 'carrot' for potential developer of Glasgow's Egyptian Halls In 2023 Glasgow Life scrapped the School Library Outreach service, which was described as vital by teachers, and subsequently sold off much of the material it contained to schools. Sean McNamara, Director of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals Scotland (CILIPS), hit out at the proposals: 'We are extremely troubled to hear that Glasgow may end up with fewer professional staff delivering their school libraries, if current proposals are taken forwards. 'We believe that the availability of access to appropriately trained and full time school librarians contribute to curriculum goals, attainment, literacy levels and improved critical thinking, and should be retained. We welcome the fact that trade unions are being consulted before final decisions are made. 'Local authorities and trusts should think very carefully before cutting any library services. They also need greater financial support to avoid having to make these damaging cuts to vital services and steps need to be taken to protect school library staffing and budgets at a national level. 'With huge societal and technological challenges such as requests to ban books, misinformation and the rise of Generative AI, we have never needed skilled information professionals in our schools more.' READ MORE: Work begins on 'major' school expansion to increase capacity by 500 pupils Jane Gow, the local area secretary for Glasgow EIS, also said that the changes would be harmful to the education of young people: "The EIS is of the firm view that qualified librarians in school libraries are a vitally important for the evidenced positive impact they have on students' academic and personal development. "Further, our librarian colleagues are highly valued by teachers for the structured learning activities they provide for our pupils, their specialist knowledge and skills and their support for various curricular initiatives and whole school activities. "In particular, they are valued for their support of learners with additional support needs and those who require guidance and encouragement to read. "We are heartened that this proposal is being consulted on and our view is that to cut qualified librarians from schools is a further detrimental blow to the life chances of students, especially those from areas of multiple deprivation and where the promotion of literacy is crucial." A spokesperson for Glasgow Life said: 'Glasgow Life has managed the city's Secondary School Library Service on behalf of Glasgow City Council since 2010. In February 2024, as part of its three-year budget setting process for 2024-27, the Council approved a review of the service, with a target saving of £100,000. 'A comprehensive review and consultation with the Council's Education Services and secondary schools on the future of the service was completed earlier this year, which highlighted the importance of increasing access to school libraries across the city. This insight has directly shaped our proposed redesign of the service, which will increase provision by 27%. 'The proposal, which is now being discussed with affected colleagues and our trade unions, introduces a team of three librarians led by a principal librarian who will manage the service supported by library assistants based in each of Glasgow's 30 secondary schools. Additionally, the funding available to provide school library books and other resources going forward will remain above the Scottish average. 'Glasgow Life is bound by Glasgow City Council's commitment to no compulsory redundancies. Should the proposal be approved, affected staff will have the opportunity to apply for promoted positions or be redeployed into available vacant roles commensurate with their existing pay and grade.' A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said: 'Glasgow Life manages the city's Secondary School Library Service on behalf of the council. Last year, it began a review and consultation, which highlighted opportunities to redesign the service to increase access to school libraries citywide. Glasgow Life is currently consulting staff and trade unions on its proposals.'
The Independent
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
McDermid praises ‘inspirational' libraries ahead of campaign launch
Bestselling crime writer Val McDermid has returned to her childhood library in Kirkcaldy, saying she she would not be where she is today if it had not been on her doorstep. The author, who is best known for her Wire In The Blood series and Karen Pirie novels, was visiting the library in Kirkcaldy Galleries ahead of the launch of the Love Libraries campaign. The campaign, which begins on February 14 and runs until October, is designed to encourage more people to join libraries and make use of what they have to offer, and focuses on the benefits librarians bring to communities throughout the country. I would not be where I am today if this building had not been on my doorstep Val McDermid, crime writer Val McDermid, who is a lifelong advocate of libraries, reflected on the role they played in her own life. 'It's great to come here today and see so many children finding ways to tell stories and experience stories,' she said. 'Coming back to this building, I remember how much it meant to me. 'I would not be where I am today if this building had not been on my doorstep. 'My parents couldn't afford books but they understood they were the passport to better life chances than they'd had. 'But it's not just writers who have their doors opened to the wider world by libraries. 'Engineers, lawyers, builders, artists, geographers, mathematicians, musicians – the list is endless. 'Libraries open windows that let us all fly.' The Love Libraries campaign is organised by the National Library of Scotland and a range of partners, including: the Scottish Library and Information Council; the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals Scotland; the Association of Public Libraries Scotland; and the Scottish Confederation of University and Research Libraries. The campaign is part of the National Library of Scotland's centenary programme, and Val McDermid is one of the library's official centenary champions.
