School library
A library within a primary or secondary school that provides access to books, information resources, and learning support for students and teachers.
Reading promotion: Activities and programs that encourage people to read regularly and develop lasting reading habits. Book displays, reading challenges, and recommendations help students choose and enjoy books.
School librarian: A trained information professional who manages a school library and supports teaching and learning. The librarian curates resources, teaches information skills, and collaborates with educators.
Collection development: The ongoing process of selecting, evaluating, maintaining, and removing library materials. It keeps resources relevant to students’ needs and the school’s curriculum.
Reading achievement: The demonstrated ability to understand and use written texts at a given level. Library access and reading support are associated with opportunities to build literacy.
Public library: A library serving the general public, typically supported by public funding and open to community members. Unlike a school library, its primary service population is not one school’s students and staff.
Information literacy: The ability to find, evaluate, use, and communicate information effectively and responsibly. Librarians teach students to locate reliable sources and use them ethically.
School library collection: The books, periodicals, audiovisual materials, and digital resources selected for a school library. Its materials shape what students and teachers can access for learning.
Library instruction: Teaching that helps users find, evaluate, and use library resources and information. Direct instruction turns access to resources into effective research and reading practices.
Digital divide: The gap between people who have effective access to digital technologies and those who do not. School libraries can provide devices, connectivity, and guidance otherwise unavailable to some students.
Academic library: A library that supports teaching, learning, and research at a college or university. Its collections and services are designed for higher education rather than primary or secondary schooling.