New book explores the critical role of school libraries in improving student literacy and emotional welfare
Facet Publishing announce the publication of School Libraries Supporting Literacy and Wellbeing
Published today, Dr Margaret K Merga’s new book School Libraries Supporting Literacy and Wellbeing gives much-needed consideration to the role that school libraries and their staff play in building and maintaining student literacy.
This book seeks to promote greater understanding of the links between reading, literacy and wellbeing that could help students cope with modern challenges. It explores the role of the school library and library professionals in leading this approach and highlights how literacy and wellbeing education and support sit within this. Dr Merga pays specific attention to how school library professionals build reading engagement and promote student wellbeing through various approaches, such as fostering health literacy and creating nurturing environments.
Barbara Band, a School Library Consultant, said ‘Margaret Merga’s work plays an important and essential role in the advocacy and promotion of school libraries, their impact and benefits; this book is no exception…It is robustly researched with personal reflections, practical strategies and realistic suggestions embedded in pedagogical approaches that make them easy to implement. This book ought to be required CPD reading, not only for library staff but also those with any sort of responsibility for the library within a school, including the decision-makers – it should be in the staff library in every school!’
An essential read for librarians, educators and parents alike, this book will empower readers to build a case for the importance of the library, and the critically important Reading for Pleasure that it fosters. It will help librarians audit their current literacy and wellbeing offerings, and adjust or extend them where applicable based on best practice, whilst exploring the many challenges that may need to be mitigated to ensure that they can reach their full potential.
Find more information and buy School Libraries Supporting Literacy and Wellbeing on the Facet Publishing website: https://facetpublishing.co.uk/page/detail/school-libraries-supporting-literacy-and-wellbeing/?K=9781783305841. It will be available in North America from the American Library Association.
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Press and review copies contact:
Laura Smith, Marketing & Sales Assistant, Facet Publishing
Tel: +44 (0)20 7255 0594
Email: laura.smith@facetpublishing.co.uk
The book is published by Facet Publishing and is available to order from Ingram Publisher Services UK | Tel: +44 (0)1572 202301| Fax: +44 (0)1752 202333 | Email: IPSUK.Orders@ingramcontent.com | Web: www.facetpublishing.co.uk | Mailing Address: Ingram Publisher Services UK, 10 Thornbury Road, Plymouth, PL6 7PP | It will be available in North America from the American Library Association.
Notes to Editors
Facet Publishing, the commercial publishing and bookselling arm of CILIP: the library and information association, is the leading publisher of books for library, information and heritage professionals worldwide.
Dr Margaret Kristin Merga is an honorary adjunct at the University of Newcastle, Australia and a senior researcher in literacy, library and research communication. She also works as an author and consultant at Merga Consulting, supporting schools and professional associations seeking to build school reading cultures and enhance school library advocacy. She has previously consulted with schools, professional associations, research entities and government departments on a range of literacy and library initiatives, such as the Department of Education Western Australia’s Never Stop Reading initiative. Since 2012, she has led or been involved in 18 research projects on libraries, literacy, higher education communication and/or workforce issues. She has shared findings from her research in invited keynotes and conference papers at virtual conferences all over the world, and has published more than 85 peer-reviewed journal articles and three research-informed books.