Role of Lebanese public school libraries in the changing information environment

Abstract

Researchers and library associations are continually questioning and investigating the state and role of school libraries in different countries across the globe. This study provides original empirical material to gain insight into the situation of public school libraries in Lebanon and it aims to determine the roles assigned to them and the reasons that inhibit their development. This study revealed that the focus of libraries’ programs and activities is to promote reading among students, making best use of available print books collections, while other areas of activities such as promoting research skills and supporting the curriculum are underplayed. Also, the context in which few secondary public schools libraries operate today is due to local and international community initiatives.

The Role of School Library Resource Centres in Resource-Based Learning: A Case of Iringa and Njombe Regions of Tanzania

“…To this end the SLRC is central in resourcing, enriching and supporting delivery of the curriculum (South Africa Mpumalanga Department of Basic Education, 2010). The study by Rahme, Saade, and Khayrallah (2020) revealed that despite the critical role school libraries play in educational process, the promotion of research skills and supporting the curriculum are underplayed by Lebanese public school libraries. This is so due to lack of national laws and government policies, insignificant budgets, absence of appropriate resources and facilities, and absence of qualified teacher-librarians.…”

“…Consequently, learners enrich their intellectual, cultural and emotional growth (Mgina & Lwehabura, 2011). It was interesting to note that while most studies recognize the centrality of information literacy in secondary school libraries for optimal exploitation of resources inherent in the SLRCs, a study by Rahme, Saade, and Khayrallah (2020) found that information literacy is an unknown concept in Lebanese public secondary schools. In this case the school libraries in Lebanese are not contributing to improving students' mastery of information literacy skills and use of information.…”

School library censorship: Looking at the perspective of a school librarian association in Indonesia

“…Many think that school library collections should be suitable for school students and not harmful to students’ minds. Librarians have been seen to be the ones who can take responsibility to ensure that library resources are safe and appropriate for school students, and promote research skills and support the curriculum (Hossain, 2019; Rahme et al, 2021). In the past, censorship has been used to uphold people’s morals and public awareness (Irum and Laila, 2015).…”