Back in 2020, Jan Sheridan's research paper School Library Funding, Staffing and Resourcing - A 10 Year Review was published in ACCESS (Australian School Library Association). It encompasses three areas relating to school libraries:
- Funding
- Staffing
- Resourcing
This entry focuses on the funding of school libraries.
Over the years, working in various schools before gaining permanency has provided me with valuable insight into how different schools approach funding of school libraries, the processes involved and even how different teacher librarians approach their budget submissions. This, combined with the processes involved in my permanent role, has provided me with a what-to-do-and-what-not-to-do list.
It feels like I am preaching to the converted, but there is a need for a reminder, and also in a manner that keeps it simple. This blog is not just a place to reflect or share what I put into it, but to simplify what is out there in terms of research.
I read the reasons why school library budgets were increased, e.g. new principals, new resources to accommodate new curriculum and one-off grants.
But I felt one reason was missing for increased budgets - advocacy
Why?
I have found that advocacy can be used to secure increased funding for a library. Consider the data that is taken to a budget meeting - loan records, resource acquisitions, quotes for equipment and much more. Surveys and feedback have their place as well.
Even if you are not asked to justify why you want xxx for your library, make sure you do. Take the initiative to do so. For those in systematic schools, especially public schools, make sure your supervisor or Head Teacher is briefed before any meeting to discuss funding. If they know what you want, they are more likely to be able to press your argument forward. It will likely pay off for you.
Whereas if you request a figure and provide no justification, the answer is likely to shift to "no," even if the requested figure is low or conservative.
Connect it to school initiatives and strategic plans. Does your school have a wide reading program? Establish connections. Relate it to school outcomes—how does the funding help the school achieve the outcome? Consider the connections to curriculum outcomes? How will they be met?
I know of one (now retired) teacher librarian who took the initiative to itemise every item that they needed for the library, especially with stationery. I would also suggest that, as purchases are made for items such as stationery, you keep a record of what you do use and refer to invoices to help you estimate how much they would cost if purchased. You may keep this in a procedures or processes guide or create a system that works best for you.
