Literacy outcomes improve when children read for enjoyment.

 

Children are more likely to read for enjoyment when they have access to diverse books, have safe comfortable spaces to read, have choice in what they are reading, have role models that demonstrate a passion for reading, and are motivated to read in an environment where reading is encouraged, valued and appreciated. Our school libraries and library programmes are designed to touch on all of these elements of raising a new generation of readers.

 

A beautiful space is a non verbal way to tell children that they matter. The design of our libraries is intended to communicate the value that our school communities place on books, stories and reading, and to support the cognitive and social development of learners in our schools. 

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Each of our libraries is managed by a full time librarian. Our librarians receive on-going training and support from the Otto Foundation and other implementation partners - including The Bookery and Biblionef. 

 

All learners at our schools have a scheduled library lesson every week (aligned to the language and literacy outcomes of the CAPS curriculum), and have the opportunity to select their own books for reading at home. 

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The Otto Foundation's library support team makes sure that new books are continuously added to the library catalogues - with a particular focus on books by local authors and books with themes that speak to the lived experience of South African learners.