Renowned author Philip Pullman has made a passionate appeal to government ministers to safeguard school libraries, highlighting a worrying decline in children’s reading habits. The acclaimed writer of the “His Dark Materials” trilogy has raised concerns that the traditional role of school libraries is being undermined, increasingly replaced by computer-centric ‘information centres’.
Philip Pullman, the latest to lead charge in reading crisis
Pullman underscored the vital role of school libraries in fostering a love for reading among children. “The school library is absolutely essential,” he stated. “It is too easy to think that books and reading for pleasure are not essential, whereas nothing is more certain to improve children’s ability – and desire – to read richly and well.” He lamented the trend of school libraries being downgraded to focus more on technology than on books.
“It’s also been too easy for some school heads to downgrade the school library into some sort of ‘information centre’, with the focus on computers and technology rather than books.”
Philip Pullman
In his comments to The Observer, Pullman recalled reaching out to Michael Gove during his tenure as UK’s education secretary, urging action to protect these crucial educational resources. “He thanked me courteously and took no notice whatsoever,” Pullman remarked, expressing his disappointment at the lack of response.
Literary giants rally for reading
This call to action comes in the wake of a letter sent by “War Horse” author Sir Michael Morpurgo to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, demanding increased funding for books. Sir Michael pointed to alarming statistics, citing a survey that revealed 42% of children under seven are missing out on the cherished experience of a bedtime story.
Read: Children’s Laureates call for national investment in early years reading
The Children’s Laureates Morpurgo and Joseph Coelho, joined forces with the BookTrust campaign. This initiative seeks national investment in early years reading, highlighting the critical importance of nurturing reading habits from a young age.
As these prominent figures in children’s literature unite in their cause, there is a growing call for government and educational bodies to recognise and address the reading crisis facing the nation’s youth. The preservation and enhancement of school libraries are seen as a key step in reversing this worrying trend.