The desire to enhance existing library provision to primary school students provided the impetus for the children’s learning zone initiative. Initiated, designed and implemented as a multi-dimensional support to children aged 8-13, it lead to the following outcomes:
- Availability of targeted resources for homework research,
- Availability of a defined study space for homework use,
- Provision of support measures to encourage learning and reading.
Research and consultation process
The research process provided a mechanism for parents and teachers to comment on children’s learning zones in public libraries. Of equal importance was the opportunity offered to children aged 8-13 to make their views known via the childrenszone web log (blog) .
700 questionnaires were distributed, in 2007, to selected libraries for completion by educators - parents and teachers. 526 completed questionnaires were returned. Views were sought relating to learning zone resources, facilities and other support measures.
“At each grade level, higher reading achievement was associated with access to a larger number of resources.”
'Succeeding in Reading? Reading Standards in Irish Primary Schools' (2005,10).
“For children to have a learning space other than school which promotes the statement that learning is lifelong - twenty-four seven.”
Educator Comment
Access to Resources
Access to appropriate resources is associated with higher reading 
achievement for primary school children. The most frequently requested subjects identified by the research were: history, followed by geography, then maths.
Each learning zone includes resources selected to support curriculum strand units in a range of subjects. They include: books, educational software (maths and other subjects) and selected online sources of information to support homework topics. Resources are organised for convenient access and use within the library. Copies of books are available, from the general stock, for lending subject to demand.
Graph No. 1: Findings for "Very Useful" preference - resources and facilities relating to the primary school child
Online Information Sources
Children commenting on the blog mentioned “Google” and “Wikipedia” [1] as popular online sources of information. Books, and “other people”, such as parents and friends, were also mentioned.
An EU study [2] on children’s use of the Internet confirmed that looking for information for schoolwork is a frequent use of the Internet amongst the majority of its participants. It was the youngest children (boys and girls, aged 9 to 10) who mentioned it most. Interestingly, boys aged 12-14 mentioned this use less than their juniors and girls of the same age. Significantly, parents and teachers who responded to the questionnaire on learning zones expressed concern that older children might become too reliant on the Internet as a search tool and needed encouragement and support to use other sources.
Local history information
Social, environmental and scientific education (SESE) comprises the following subjects: history, geography and science. The Curriculum uses a spiral approach in which aspects of each subject may be explored in increasing depth at each age level. It emphasises that the local natural environment, its community and locality provide an important context for the integration of learning for these subjects. The research identified demand for local history information – an important part of each public library’s resources.
The Public Library Context
The location of each learning zone within a public library resource is important, because it introduces the child to an environment, which promotes learning and reading as a life long habit. It also underscores the importance of providing resources that nurture the child’s imagination, provide homework support and develop lifelong interests in areas such as art, music and reading.
“At the Buildings Centre Trust’s 2000 forum on library architecture a question was proffered as to whether the idea of the “library as meeting place, performance space and group learning site was compatible with the traditional need for quiet reflection and solitary study.” (Building Centre Trust 2000). In answer the panel suggested solutions in the form of zones within the library design that would allow these behaviours to occur simultaneously.”
('Libraries Must Also Be Buildings re:source' The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries. 2003)
Defined Study Space
“Study space is essential where children can learn to relax and be given time and space to do so.” Educator Comment.
“I like doing my homework there because I like the way it is always quiet.” Comment posted on the homework blog.
The use of zoned space in a public library is identified, in the research, as effective in encouraging different library behaviours simultaneously, for example quiet study in one area and group discussion in another. The form and function of children’s learning zones support homework study, and its components include:
- Child-friendly furniture - desks and tables,
- Accessible display and storage stands to accommodate resources,
- PC learning stations for software and online resources.
Each learning zone makes a visual impact in terms of its attractive furniture, use of colour, defined layout and unique branding.
“From the earliest years children should experience a print-rich environment in which they have ready access to books. As their reading abilities develop, children:
- Read for pleasure and information
- Learn to locate and use books for a variety of purposes
- Develop the higher order comprehension skills
- Learn to read for both functional and social purposes.”
English Language Curriculum www.curriculumonline.ie (1999, Introduction)
Support Measures
Educational policy recognises that the home and parental involvement provides the child’s most important learning environment; comments received from educators endorsed this view as follows:
- “Encouraging parent and child to read and work together all the way through Primary School.”
- “Instruction for children and their parents on how to utilise all the resources available in a Library. Many children are only aware of borrowing fiction books.”
- “Providing space for quality child parent time.”
Survey findings revealed majority interest in a range of support measures and emphasised the public library’s role in developing reading, life long learning and in fostering interest and enthusiasm for music and art. The following graph illustrates educator preferences for support measures.
Ongoing support activities in libraries include:
- Reading promotion initiatives such as children’s book clubs, storytelling and programmed events such as “Science Week activities.”
- Tours of the library for primary school classes.
- Weekly children’s art classes in selected libraries.
- Summer project activities, which provide creative workshop opportunities.
Learning zones are located in the following libraries:
Notes
- Google is an Internet search engine, and Wikipedia is a collaboratively edited online encyclopedia which can be added to an edited by any user.
- Safer Internet for Children A Qualitative Study in 29 European Countries Summary Report. Undertaken by Eurobarometer for the EU’s Directorate General Information Society and Media. May 2007.