The impact of school library services on student achievement and the implications for advocacy: A review of the literature

This review critically examines the literature relating to the impact that school libraries have on student achievement, and what implications this impact has had for school library advocacy. A number of studies examining this issue, using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, have been conducted. Almost all of the studies considered endorse the view that school library services have a positive impact on student achievement. The literature further indicates that this evidence has not had much impact on the development of school libraries, mainly because of the entrenched views of educators and administrators that see the school library as being peripheral to teaching and learning. It is suggested that the arguments for school libraries need to be better articulated and communicated, and the literature suggests some possibilities for achieving this.