1. INTRODUCTION, METHODOLOGY AND RESPONSE DETAILS

1.1 The aim of this research is to build up a picture of current secondary school library provision, aiming to identify good practices and resourcing implications for secondary schools.

1.2 The research was based on a questionnaire asking librarians or those in charge of the school library to provide statistical returns relating to:

1. school profile
2. library access
3. bookstock and other resources
4. borrowing
5. staffing
6. spending
7. curriculum development
8. inspection
9. IT

1.3 The research was conducted jointly by the Library Association (LA) and the Survey and Statistical Research Centre (SSRC) at Sheffield Hallam University. The chosen method was self-completion questionnaire, with the questionnaire being designed by the SSRC in conjunction with the LA. The questionnaire was reviewed by a focus group of experts (noted in the acknowledgements) and received a small scale pilot prior to its use.

1.4 In the survey, the Library Association sent questionnaires to a sample of 1914 schools. In order that comparisons could be made between countries, larger samples were used in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales than suggested by reference to the school populations. After one month a reminder letter was sent to those schools who had not responded.

1.5 The total number of schools who responded was 1075 out of the total sample of 1914 which were sent out. This represents an overall response rate of 56%. The breakdown by country is recorded in Table 1.5.

Table 1.5 Breakdown by Country

1.6 In comparison with national proportions schools in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are over represented. This disproportionate sampling only slightly distorts the overall UK figures and allows reasonable comparisons on aspects of provision and practice between countries.

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