Written evidence by School Library Association (RFP0184)

Education committee

Reading for Pleasure inquiry

Supplementary evidence: Funding for School Libraries submitted following the Education Select Committee Reading Inquiry Hearing, 13th May 2026

We are pleased to submit further evidence in support of dedicated funding for school

libraries, building on previous oral and written evidence with a focus on costs for supporting secondary schools.

Summary

We believe that every child should have access to a good school library. As such we

welcome the government’s commitment to ensuring every primary school has a library. We believe to achieve genuine equity of access, the same commitment should be applied to

secondary schools, especially considering the accepted importance of supporting reading for pleasure and reading fluency for teenagers.

A one-off capital investment of up to £15m is required to achieve this outcome. This is using the same data1 that has informed the approach the DfE is using to allocate funding for primary school libraries. It will ensure the 1 in 7 secondary schools without a library are able to buy the necessary equipment and books to support all children.

In addition, we want to see school libraries placed on a statutory footing so that every school prioritises library provision for children. Further research is needed to explore what additional investment is needed to ensure school librarians operate in every school. Existing data suggests 90% of secondary schools have library staff, but how they operate, how much training they have had and how supported they are is unclear.

Current national picture

Current policy is informed by survey data commissioned by the Great School Libraries campaign, conducted by BMG Research in 2022, which gathered responses from 4,330

schools across the UK. This survey established the well-documented 1-in-7 gap in primary school library provision2.

These data show the same 1-in -7 gap in secondary schools as well (86% of secondary schools have a school library in place – noting that this is at varying degrees of provision in itself). To ensure every secondary school has a library based on this information and taking the total number of secondary schools from current figures3, this means providing

investment for the approximately 484 secondary schools without any library provision.

1 https://www.greatschoollibraries.org.uk/2023research

2 2023 Research Report | GreatSchoolLibraries

3 https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics/2024-25

To address this we recommend the following steps:

1. Provide capital funding of up to £15m to establish libraries in the 484 secondary schools we know do not have provision. This figure reflects the greater scale of

secondary schools which are typically larger, require more book stock and full library management systems.

* Based on a school of 1,500 students. Costs will reduce proportionally for smaller schools.

**Book price reflects assumed partner discount

2. Strengthen our data, by incorporating questions about school libraries into the school census. This will replace reliance on partial survey data and allow

policymakers to identify gaps with precision and target funding accordingly (as recommended by the School Libraries APPG in 2014)

3. This new data set is essential to help us understand the ongoing costs associated with maximising the potential of libraries, including advocating for the positive impact of dedicated school librarians. We know that some schools utilise expert librarians to support a range of subject and pastoral outcomes, integrating those

skills into wider school improvement plans. Research tells us this positively impacts attainment across the curriculum, as well as reading for pleasure4. Trained school librarians are fundamental to ensuring a library is more than just a room full of books, but instead becomes integral to the life and aims of the school and

education outcomes.

Currently, data suggest that 90% of secondary schools with a library, have some library staffing, so we know there is a foundation on which to build, but we need

4 Libraries_project_review_2019_-_final.pdf / https://www.cilip.org.uk/news/513958/BRIEFING-NOTE-School-librarians-empower-thriving-schools-.htm

more complete data to provide the right guidance for schools on recognising the value of a school librarian and employ, utilise, and develop staff to embed the library fully as a teaching and learning resource and hub for reading.

4. In addition, school library book collections need to be updated regularly to remain relevant and responsive to evolving school priorities. The £5m of funding promised for all secondary schools to buy books for their libraries this year amounts to approximately £1450 per school; at current market value this amounts to

approximately 200 books.

If schools are to be able to aspire to the School Library Association recommended minimum of 10 books per student, more investment is needed with ring-fenced funds, so school libraries hold enough relevant, engaging and accessible books that meet the needs of all young readers. Understanding the current picture will enable suitable funding to be targeted to areas of most need, noting the cost per book to achieve this.

* Prices from a leading UK supplier. Favourable rates can be found via partner discounts.

The School Library Association stands ready to support the development of national guidance and frameworks to help schools build sustainable high-quality school library provision for all, helping to build a legacy from the National Year of Reading.

We would welcome the opportunity to discuss further any of these recommendations and support this with follow up visits to our network of schools.

The School Library Association is a national education charity and membership organisation supporting all those working in school libraries to build vibrant reading and learning communities. We believe when children have access to a good school library their outcomes will improve and through our work, we help children and young people reach their full potential.

May 2026