Transcript

NICK:

Reading for pleasure is so important, and we know that from the research. So try to promote it as much as you can in the library and also around school. You can highlight themes and events throughout the year and use these to create interesting displays for the library. And these can really engage students and make them think.

So for example, I promote banned books week. I put wrappers on books saying, this book is banned-- things like Harry Potter or Frankenstein. And students have really questioned why some books have been banned around the world, or whether books should have age limits like films. And it's a great way to get them to read some of the books as well.

Posters, competitions, and reading lists are all great ways to promote reading. You could try a reading passport as a fun way to encourage students to try different genres, and collect stamps and stickers as they progress.

But it isn't enough just to keep it within the library. You have to wave the flag a bit and say, hello I'm here. So you might try to grab some space for posters around the school, give out leaflets to teachers, go into classes or form time yourself. You can get some time in assemblies, maybe, to promote things like National Poetry Day.

So really have to keep a presence, by making sure there's something about the library, on the school website, on the VLE, use the TV screens around school to promote any events that you're doing. You could have a regular newsletter that goes out to parents, or write a column for the school newsletter.

Feedback from parents is usually really supportive, and again, that can help you push for more resources for your library and show senior leadership what you're doing. So all of these things are a great way to get students, parents, and staff on your side. But you really just have to grab any opportunity for promotion that you can.