School libraries in support of voluntary reading

Abstract

One of the main aims of school libraries is the promotion of reading for educational purposes and for pleasure. The school library can play a central role in the development of a reading habit by providing access to reading materials and encouraging and promoting reading activities. This is often not the case in school libraries in South Africa. The ultimate goal for the literacy environment at school is a school library with a large number of books and other media, together with classroom settings where teachers and learners talk and tell stories to each other, read and write, and share reading experiences with one another.

Innovation Vol. 33 2006: pp. 13-20