Lessons

Use of the school library as a space for lessons.

Events

The school library can host events, workshops or seminars.

Work

The school library is used for both individual and group work.

Fun

The school library can become a fun place to be, with games, puzzles and fun events.

Clubs

Whether alone or in collaboration with other staff, the library can be host a variety of clubs, especially during breaktimes.

Computers

Computers or laptops are important additions to the library.

Most students prefer to use them for games, although they are also important for work or online research, and for consulting the library Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC).

Lessons

Teachers of younger cohorts seem to be more likely to use the school library for their lessons.

Group Usage

Older cohorts are more likely to use the library for research and group work than the younger cohorts.

Noise

Students seem to have a higher tolerance level for noise, especially with the older cohorts.

Orientation Visits

Besides learning how to navigate the school library, orientation visits may result in more students visiting the library on their own.

Visiting Patterns

The youngest cohorts are more likely to visit the library both alone and with friends, but there is a greater tendency for social visits by the older cohorts, who prefer to visit the library with friends.

Fun Place

Board and tabletop games are popular among students and promote the library as a fun place to be.

Chess was the most popular preference among all student cohorts who participated in the research.

Resources & Collaboration

The librarian must ensure that adequate resources are available and that furniture can be moved around to create collaborative areas when needed.

Digital Promotion

The librarian can make use of digital student platforms (Microsoft Teams in the majority of Maltese schools) for announcements and promotion.

Notice Board

Announcements and events can also be promoted on the library notice board.

Especially if this is in a central place, students do often see the promotions.

Orientation Visits

Library orientation visits can be organised together with teachers.

Teachers' Work

Offering the library to teachers for their work builds familiarity with the space and its potential use for lessons.

Marketing & Promotion

Marketing and promotion should be targeted both towards the students and towards staff and school leadership.

Games & Activities

The librarian can provide individual and group games and activities to better target and provide for all student cohorts.

Staff Use

Librarians can promote the library and collaborate with teachers and Learning Support Educators to have more lessons in the library, or use the library for small groups.

Noise Levels

If separate rooms for quiet and noisy collaborative areas are not possible, the librarian needs to be able to strike a balance to accommodate for suitable environments for both quiet and collaborative work and use.

Featured Tables

Librarians can create featured tables linked to international, national and school anniversaries and events.

‘Blind Date with a Book’ was the most popular and remembered event.