Lifeline for threatened school library service

A service providing schools with new books and learning material may continue if an alternative option can be found, it has emerged. Last week Shropshire Council said the School Library Service, used by two-thirds of schools in the county, would end this autumn because of budget pressures. But council bosses agreed on Wednesday to consult with teachers to find a way of saving the service. A petition against its closure, set up by a headteacher in Cressage, has been signed by more than 3,000 people.Councillor Kirstie Hurst-Knight, portfolio holder for schools and education, said it was "regrettable" schools were not consulted before the council decision was made public last week. She said a "comprehensive, well-written" survey would be sent out on Thursday to find out what schools "want and need" from the service. Christ Church CE Primary School head teacher Tracey Cansdale previously called on the council to reconsider its "short-sighted" decision. She criticised it for taking books "out of the hands of our children". The service, funded by schools paying a subscription fee, allows them access to more than 250,000 fiction books, art collections, online resources and artefacts. But Shropshire Council had to meet a £30,000 income shortfall for the scheme in the 2023-24 financial year. If no alternative is found, such as more schools subscribing or existing schools paying more in subscription fees which are options in the council's consultation, the service will end on 1 September. "We need to understand why the 35% [of schools] don’t buy into the service," Councillor Hurst-Knight added. The catalogue of books and artefacts is not part of a statutory service and does not have to be provided by the council.