Designing School Libraries of the Future
DEV02-20 LCE - Designing School Libraries of the Future (LOTF) Study
“Essentially, a design-centric approach requires that schools and educators act as changemakers to place the needs of the student as user at the centre of design considerations. It is an approach whereby (1) intentional attention is given to ongoing improvements of reading and learning within school contexts by (2) focusing on the student as a user to (3) develop a targeted experience of reading and learning that is suitable and relevant to the school and its student profile, taking into account the contexts, technologies and content available and required.”
Excerpt from Designing Future-Ready School Libraries, published in the Journal of Australian Library and Information Association Journal.
Project Team
PI: Associate Professor Loh Chin Ee, ELL, NIE
Co-PI: Dr. Sun Baoqi, CRCD, NIE
Co-PI: Associate Professor Victor Lim Fei, ELL, NIE
Co-PI: Dr. Elizabeth Pang, CPDD, MOE
Collaborator: Ms. Heng Huey Bin, National Library Board
Project Description
Globally, the shift towards disruptive technologies, artificial intelligence in the Fourth Industrial Revolution means that ever higher levels of literacy are required to engage in twenty-first century consumption and work. The nature of learning has also changed with greater need for critical and creative thinking, collaboration and innovation. Building on findings from an earlier Building a Reading Culture study (OER5/16), this developmental study focuses on school libraries as central learning hubs that support student self-directed acquisition of 21st century competencies.
Using a Design-Based Research (DBR) approach, the research team worked with three secondary schools between 2019 to 2021 to imagine, implement and inspire their school library collections, programming and technology for future-ready learning. This was followed by a one-year evaluation of the impact of the library design at each of these schools. Findings showed that refreshed school libraries contribute to students’ engaged reading, offer choice of different learning environments and support students’ wellbeing. Enablers and challenges for policymakers, school leaders and educators looking to redesign their school libraries are shared.
Other than the reports and publications, a Designing School Libraries of the Future Toolkit was produced for use by schools. The study was shortlisted for the President’s Design Award in 2023.
Project Implications
Findings from the study highlighted the crucial place libraries in supporting students’ reading, learning and wellbeing. The school library is particularly important for students with limited access to books at home.
Recommendations for Schools:
- Curate library collections and programmes to encourage engaged reading.
- Focus on a print first and digital complementary strategy, enabling students to have access to reading materials.
- Design inclusive spaces with multiple learning options to support students’ learning and wellbeing needs.
- Listen to teachers’ and students’ voices to better understand how to ensure school library redesign meets stakeholders’ needs.
- Ensure that the school has a library committee comprising the Vice-Principal, library and different subject-teachers for library sustainability and innovation.
Resources
The project website contains project reports, peer-reviewed publications, accounts of innovative library redesign projects and other useful resources: https://www.readingbydesignsg.org
- Bye, bye, dusty bookshelves: Reimagining the school library
- In Opinion: In Singapore, librarians have new jobs in an age of AI
Selected Talks:
- School Libraries and Librarians Matter, Online Talk for The Open University’s Centre of Literacy and Social Justice
- Building a Reading Culture through School Libraries, NIE Research in Practice series
Selected Articles:
- Loh, C. E. (2024) What makes adolescents want to read? Examining adolescents’ contemporary print and new media (fiction) reading through mobile ethnography. Language & Education 38(4), 596-616.
- Loh, C.E. (2023) Designing future-ready school libraries: empowering stakeholders for evidence-based change. Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association 72(3), 265-305.
.tmb-listing.jpg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=b0306905_1)