A WIRRAL MP hosted a Great School Libraries campaign event with a former children’s laureate.

Margaret Greenwood MP hosted the event with children’s author Michael Rosen in parliament to highlight the importance of school libraries.

It was part of a series of activities being led by the Great School Libraries campaign which is calling on UK governments to ensure that schools have access to adequate funding to maintain school library provision.  

The Wirral West MP told the Globe: “Encouraging children to enjoy books from an early age is incredibly important.  

“It is vital too that schools are able to develop a culture of reading for pleasure.”

The campaign, which is supported by school librarians, head teachers and teaching staff across the UK, is a joint initiative of the School Library Association, The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) and the CILIP School Libraries Group.   

Greenwood added: “I have seen at first hand during visits to Woodchurch C of E Primary School what a real difference a school library can make to the happiness and attainment of children.  

“Work needs to be done urgently across the UK to develop school libraries so that pupils can take advantage of the benefits they can deliver in relation to learning, reading and wellbeing.”  

Children’s author and former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen said:  “Every child deserves a great school library with access to quality books, digital resources and the expert support of a dedicated librarian or library staff.   

“Sadly, research shows that children in independent fee-paying schools are still much more likely to have access to a quality library than those in the state sector.”  

 “Together, we can transform literacy, learning and life-chances for children across the UK.”