The School Library Association believes that:

• primary school libraries should be open and staffed for as much of the school week as possible, including lunchtimes and before and after school
• ideally, this staffing should come from a Chartered, professionally qualified librarian, who may be shared between a small number of schools. However, this will currently be an aspiration for many schools, so until it is achieved the support of the professional staff of the local School Library Service (where available) will be essential

Two possible models are:

• a teacher as Library Manager, with a regular allowance of time for library tasks, supported by classroom assistant(s) who carry out the day-to-day routines and staff the library on a day-to-day basis
• The library both managed and staffed by an experienced and knowledgeable member of the non-teaching staff, ideally with an NVQ or equivalent qualification in information and library work.

January 2006

‘I realise I’m talking to converts here, but I have to tell you that the difference a qualified librarian makes to a primary school is simply transformational’.’ David Tilling, Head Teacher of Peasedown St John Primary School, Bath, at the SLYA/SLA LDA Awards Event, 1st October 2012.