Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of how many and what proportion of (a) primary and (b) secondary schools have a school library.

The Department believes that all pupils deserve to be taught a knowledge rich curriculum that promotes the extensive reading of books and other texts, both in and out of school. School libraries complement public libraries in allowing pupils to do this.

Given the autonomy which is granted to schools, the Department does not collect information on the number of school libraries.

It is for individual schools to decide how best to provide and maintain a library service for their pupils, including whether to employ a qualified librarian. Many head teachers recognise the important role school libraries play in improving literacy and encouraging pupils to read for pleasure and ensure that suitable library facilities are provided. School libraries can take many forms, with some schools preferring to make books a focus in other ways, including housing them within classrooms.