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How do school libraries support teachers and students?

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British Museum: Reading Room — library Reading Room of the British Museum, designed by Sidney Smirke in collaboration with Anthony Panizzi and built in the 1850s. Illustration by Smirke, from the *Illustrated London News*, 1857.

School libraries serve as vital resource centers that support both teachers and students by providing diverse materials and expertise.

For students and teachers, school libraries offer more than just books; they function as hubs for various media, including photographs, films, videotapes, and artifacts—sometimes referred to as "realia"—to assist in subjects like history and mathematics.1

The role of the school librarian is central to this support. Librarians act as educators, teaching users how to navigate information both within the library and across electronic networks. They also maintain close relationships with the teaching staff, often collaborating to ensure the library's collection aligns with educational needs. In many institutions, libraries have evolved to work alongside computer centers, with librarians sometimes managing both print collections and electronic services to provide comprehensive access to information.21

By facilitating access to these resources and providing guidance on information literacy, school libraries help meet the educational and informational needs of the entire school community.21