A new impetus for school libraries
The Department of Education has announced the call for selection of the 35 public centers owned by the Government that will take part in the pilot phase of the Catalan School Libraries Improvement Plan (PLAMIB). This plan aims to revitalize school libraries, update their model and increase their number, as well as promote the reading habit and improve reading comprehension levels among students.
Impulse for libraries from the National Book and Reading Plan of Catalonia 2023-2030
The initiative is part of the National Book and Reading Plan of Catalonia 2023-2030, promoted by the Departments of Culture and Education with the aim of promoting reading in Catalan. 35 primary and secondary schools from Badalona, Osona, Pineda de Mar, Rubí and Horta-Guinardó have been selected to participate in this pilot phase of PLAMIB.
Resources for school libraries
According to the Department of Education, each center will receive an initial sum of 2,000 euros for the acquisition of funds for the school library, which will raise the initial allocation for this initiative to 70,000 euros. In addition to the funding, library management software, access to a digital reading platform, materials and thematic training capsules will be provided, as well as the opportunity to visit reference libraries to learn about good practice. In addition, the centers will receive advice and support in the process of improving and transforming their library and networking.
Requirements for the call
The centers interested must present a report and a letter that demonstrate their pedagogical interest in participating in the program, in addition to certifying approval by the faculty and school council of the center. In addition, they will have to justify the participation of their teaching staff in seminars or working groups on libraries. The call will remain open until April 29.
Commitments of the selected centers
The selected centers will have to allocate an exclusive space for the school library, designate a driving team of four or five members of the teaching team and appoint a teacher responsible for the library with a minimum allocation of two hours per week to the coordination of the project . Likewise, it will be necessary to plan an internal training on the process of transformation and improvement of the library aimed at a minimum of 40% of its teaching staff during the next two years.
Human resources for the piloting of PLAMIB
To coordinate the piloting of PLAMIB, the Department of Education has hired six librarians and two teaching technicians with the aim of providing support to the centers during this process.
