Hadow (1928)

Notes on the text
Preliminary pages Membership, Analysis, Preface, Introduction
Chapter 1 Books in schools 1810 to 1928
Chapter 2 Place and function of books
Chapter 3 Provision of books by LEAs
Chapter 4 School and public libraries
Chapter 5 Guidance for teachers, production of books
Chapter 6 Cost and use of books
Chapter 7 Conclusions and recommendations
Appendix I List of witnesses
Appendix II Practice of sample LEAs
Appendix III Provision of books in London
Appendix IV Expenditure on books
Appendix V Provision of books in Scotland
Appendix VI Publication of new books
Index

Appendix II Notes on the practice of a few typical local education authorities in the matter of the selection and provision of books for pupils and teachers in public elementary schools
[pages 130 - 142]

Note In the brief space available it has been possible to include notes on the provision and supply of books in public elementary schools for a few typical local education authorities only. These notes are based on information furnished by the authorities in question in reply to a questionnaire issued by the Consultative Committee.

1. ACCRINGTON BOROUGH

The undermentioned scale of allowances has been fixed for the provision of books, stationery, needlework material, kindergarten requisites, etc, but excluding items of furniture:

A sum is set aside each year for the provision of additional supplies of books in schools where circumstances warrant extra expenditure, e.g. the central school has been assigned a special sum each year over and above the allowance per head. Until a few years ago the authority issued lists of approved books, but this practice has latterly been abandoned. The authority states that head teachers prefer to interview publishers' travellers and see their specimen copies of new books. A small collection of specimen school books is exhibited at the education office. Works of reference are provided for teachers. A school library is provided by the public library for the middle classes (corresponding to Standards III and IV) of each upper department. These collections of books contain sufficient volumes for each child to have a different book at least once a week. The public library receives from the authority an annual grant of £100 for the maintenance of this scheme.

Sets of Books (40 per set) circulate among the schools for general class reading in addition to the permanent school stock. The number of sets in circulation allows from two to five sets per school at any one time, according to the size of school, and the sets are changed three times a year.

The Borough Librarian or a responsible member of his staff visits the schools periodically to inspect the books in the school library and in the circulating sets, and arranges for rebinding and repairs. At these visits talks are given to the children on the care of books, the way to read a book, and on the choice of books. Lectures are also given from time to time at the library on the way to use the reference library.

Children in upper standards are admitted as borrowing members of the children's section of the central library on the recommendation of the head teacher.

2. ACTON BOROUGH

The education authority for the Borough of Acton has fixed the undermentioned scale of allowances for the supply of books and stationery. It is administered on the basis of the average attendance for the preceding school year.

Apparatus and equipment is supplied in all departments out of a flat-rate of 1s 6d [7½p] per unit of average attendance for the preceding school year. Unexpended balances from the scale or the flat rate may be utilised for the provision of additional apparatus, or of books and stationery, as the case may be.

To the allowance for each department calculated on the above scale is added the amount received and paid in to the Borough Treasurer in respect of needlework sales for the preceding financial year.

A library of specimen books has been established, and head teachers are invited to inspect the collection before submitting requisitions. A reading panel elected by the teaching staff, consisting of head and assistant teachers, has been established for the purpose of reading and reporting upon the specimen books in this library. Permits are granted to recognised educational publishers to visit schools periodically.

School libraries are formed and maintained by voluntary gifts. It has been found inadvisable in some schools to allow books to be taken home. In the juvenile section of the public library, which is largely used, many of the books bear traces of unsatisfactory home conditions.

3. BATH COUNTY BOROUGH

The following limits of expenditure have been fixed for the supply of books and stationery, exclusive of needlework and handicraft materials.

The above scale is administered on the basis of the number of pupils on the roll, and in the case of junior schools and infants' schools with Standard I, where the number of pupils on the roll is less than 100, the allowance is increased by 3d [1p] per head.

Separate lists of approved school books are issued by the authority for senior, junior and infants' schools. These lists are prepared and amended each year by committees of head teachers of senior, junior and infants' schools respectively. In compiling and revising these lists the head teachers consult with members of their staffs who have special knowledge of individual subjects. No special lists are issued for the central school and the special (MD) school. A list of approved songs and music is also issued by the authority.

School and class libraries are provided by voluntary effort.

4. BIRMINGHAM COUNTY BOROUGH

The following scale of allowances for the provision of books, apparatus and stationery (excluding furniture, scholars' library books, science apparatus and needlework materials) has been in operation since 1925.

Head and class teachers have access to a display of specimen books for the purpose of selection.

School libraries in elementary schools are provided by means of a separate annual grant over and above the ordinary capitation allowance for school supplies. Arrangements are made with several of the leading booksellers in the city to display books suitable for juvenile libraries.

Works of reference may be provided for teachers and pupils in elementary schools, and the cost met out of the capitation allowance for school supplies.

The education committee has arranged with the public libraries committee for borrowers' tickets to be issued, on the signature of a head teacher, to scholars attending the public elementary schools. The education committee defray the cost of replacing or making good any books lost or damaged by pupils whilst holding such tickets. These facilities have been extensively used by pupils at a small cost to the education committee.

5. BRIGHTON COUNTY BOROUGH

The local education authority has fixed the following scale of capitation allowances for books, stationery, and apparatus, based on average attendance for the previous year:

7s 6d [37½p] for pupils in senior boys' and girls' departments.
6s 6d [32½p] for pupils in junior mixed departments.
3s 0d [15p] for infants.

The education committee, after consultation with head teachers, has issued a list of suitable books, and specimen copies of these works are kept at the education office. School libraries have been provided in all types of school, other than those for infants, by means of an independent capitation allowance. Works of reference for school libraries may be purchased out of the general allowance. An education library, mainly designed for the use of teachers, has been established in the public library.

6. CARDIGANSHIRE

The following capitation allowances (per head) for books and stationery have been fixed in this area:

The collection of specimen school books at the county education office is available for inspection by teachers, and the attention of head teachers is drawn periodically to suitable books dealing with various branches of the curriculum. Most schools in the area possess a school library collected by voluntary effort. Boxes of books are sent from the county library to each school three times a year. A collection of works of reference for teachers is kept at the headquarters of the county library.

7. DURHAM COUNTY

The authority has fixed a scale of allowances for the provision of books, stationery, apparatus and other materials (excluding needlework materials), graduated according to the average attendance of the schools. The limits of the scale in departments for older scholars are 4s 10d [24p] and 4s 2d [21p] per unit; in departments for junior scholars 4s 2d [21p] and 3s 6d [17½p] per unit and in infants' departments 3s 6d [17½p] and 3s [15p] per unit. Requisitions for books for 'higher tops' are dealt with independently according to the special circumstances of the school course. The authority has issued a list of text books and works of reference for teachers suitable for use in connection with schemes for advanced instruction in public elementary schools. The authority has also published a school library catalogue, which is revised and reprinted from time to time. This catalogue also serves as a requisition list for teachers when they are ordering school books. Samples of most of the books mentioned in these two publications may be consulted at the library in the county education office.

A library of works of reference, books from which can be loaned to teachers, is provided at the education office and a special sum is allocated each year for its maintenance. The catalogue of this library is kept up to date by circulars containing a list of additions and deletions.

An annual allowance, based on average attendance, is granted to each school department for the provision of scholars' library books. This allowance has been sufficient to build up a considerable selection of books in the school libraries. For the year 1927 the allowance was 1s [5p] per head for seniors, and 6d [2½p] per head for infants.

8. GLAMORGANSHIRE

No information is given to head teachers as to the amount per head to be spent on school material.

The authority has not issued a general list of recommended books, and does not maintain a central book room. The authority's primary inspectors take suitable specimen books with them on their visits to the schools. Collections of selected books are temporarily left for examination by teachers.

Teachers may borrow reference books from the county library headquarters at Bridgend on payment of postage one way. There is also a teachers' reference library in the County Hall at Cardiff, provided and maintained out of the secondary education fund, and teachers may obtain books from it on the same terms as apply to the loan of books from the county library.

Through the medium of the county library the authority has established, at most elementary schools in its area, centres for the distribution of books of every description. In these the head teacher generally acts as the local honorary librarian, and 20 to 25 per cent of the books so circulated are books for juveniles.

9. KENT

The authority has fixed a scale of allowances for the provision of books, stationery and apparatus (excluding furniture, large apparatus, needlework material and equipment for practical instruction). The scale is graduated according to the average attendance of the schools. Thus, for example, boys', girls' and mixed departments with an average attendance up to 50 are allowed 5s 6d [27½p] per unit, and schools with an average attendance over 150, 4s 3d [21p] per unit; for mixed and infants' departments the corresponding allowances are 5s 1d [25½p] and 3s 10d [19p]; for infants' and Standard I departments 4s 3d [21p] and 3s [15p], and for infants' departments 3s 10d [19p] and 2s 6d [12½p] per unit.

The scale of allowances is not, however, rigidly enforced in every case. Requisitions beyond the scale are considered on their merits, and it is found necessary to exceed the scale on occasions when an important alteration is made in the character of the school, when changes take place in the supply of books, and often when new head teachers are appointed in place of those who have served for long periods.

Requisitions from schools providing approved 'courses of advanced instruction', e.g. central schools, are dealt with on their merits.

A catalogue of school books was published in 1922, and in 1925 a supplement was issued to bring the catalogue up to date. Subsequent revisions and additions to the catalogue are announced in the Kent Education Gazette, which appears monthly.

A central sample room is maintained at the county education office at Maidstone, and the authority pay the travelling expenses of head teachers, and also, in certain circumstances, of assistant teachers so as to enable them to visit the sample room once a year. A limited number of duplicate copies of certain books can be lent to teachers for detailed examination at home.

The authority grants a special allowance of 6d [2½p] per head, based on the average attendance of older scholars (i.e. scholars other than infants), towards the provision of school libraries. The county library service is also used to provide school libraries, especially in those cases where the local centre of the county library is housed in a school. In view of the use thus made of the county library service the education committee made a grant in 1927 of £100 and in 1928 of £200, to the county library fund.

A Reference library for teachers is maintained at the county library headquarters, and the work in connection with this library is carried out by the county library staff. Books are supplied by post to students and teachers on demand.

10. LANCASHIRE

The undermentioned block and capitation allowances are made in respect of books and stationery.

An additional allowance of 2s [10p] per unit is given in respect of pupils in all types of elementary school of the age of 11 years and upwards on 31 March of the preceding year.

A special additional allowance may be given in all the above mentioned categories to meet exceptional circumstances.

The authority has not printed a list of school books, although a list prepared in manuscript is used in consultation with teachers. A central store of specimen books is kept at the county offices. Books from this collection are sent for the inspection of head teachers on request. Advice on the selection of books is given by the committee's organising staff in the course of their visits to schools, and in connection with the consideration of schemes of work submitted by head teachers. Exhibitions are also arranged at convenient centres at which books suitable for school use are available for inspection by teachers.

The formation of school and class libraries in elementary schools is encouraged by the authority, and their cost is met either (i) by special grant, (ii) out of the annual allowance, or (iii) by voluntary contributions.

In some cases urban district councils, which are local library authorities, have supplied libraries to schools from the public library. These are changed at stated intervals.

Reference books for both teachers and pupils may be purchased out of the ordinary allowance.

The following facilities are arranged by the county library service for the older children in the schools, or for teachers:

1. At all centres (of which 199 have been established with a supply of about 70,000 books) there is a juvenile section, and the older children in the elementary schools are encouraged to become members. Many of the centres are in schools. In an increasing number of centres lectures on the selection and use of books are given by the librarian.

2. In some instances the juvenile section is transferred from the centre library to a school.

3. Reference books are issued to teachers through the county library, on request, either by post or personal application, as to other student borrowers. The number supplied to an applicant at any one time is unlimited, and if necessary, the Central Library for Students is utilised.

A capitation allowance for the provision of books has not been adopted. Head teachers' requisitions are dealt with upon their merits by the authority's inspectors, who are furnished with details respecting the financial provision in the general estimates for books and stationery.

Teachers are restricted, but not absolutely, when making requisitions, to a list of books for use in day schools, drawn up by a Consultative Committee on School Books. The committee consists of the Director of Education and his assistants, the local inspectors of elementary and evening schools, two teachers nominated by the English Association and the Geographical Association respectively, two representatives of the Association of Schoolmasters, four representatives of the National Union of Teachers, two co-opted teachers nominated by the Director of Education together with the teachers' representative on the local education committee. The committee divides itself into sections to deal with school books on various subjects.

It is intended when suitable accommodation becomes available to provide facilities for teachers to examine at leisure the books and apparatus included on the list. From time to time displays have been held of new additions to the list.

Many schools have been equipped with school libraries by voluntary effort. No financial assistance is given by the authority for this purpose.

In most of the schools which are situated near a public library, there is close cooperation between the schools and libraries. Such cooperation takes various forms, e.g. in some departments the teachers prepare lists of suitable books for the scholars' reading, and arrange for the collective borrowing and return of these books. Where the library is provided with a children's room the older scholars are taken there by the teachers, during the ordinary school hours, for reading lessons. No financial arrangements between the education committee and the libraries' committee have been found necessary, the latter committee having for many years shown the greatest readiness to assist the work of the schools in any way they can.

12. LONDON - See Appendix III

13. MANCHESTER COUNTY BOROUGH

The following scale of allowance for the provision of books, stationery, etc. applies to elementary schools.

In all cases, special additional allowances are given when needs are exceptional.

The teachers' education library consists of two parts. One part comprises a large collection of specimen school books, which are kept in open shelves; the other part is a collection of works of reference. Since 1926 all teachers in the area have been invited to attend an annual exhibition of new school books organised under the auspices of the authority. In view of the facilities thus afforded to teachers in the selection of books the authority has hitherto not issued a list of books recommended for use in schools. Copies of certain works of reference and certain reports are provided in all schools. Other books, which may be required permanently in the school, may be purchased out of the ordinary allowance for books, stationery, etc. Many schools in the area possess school and class libraries, but the authority has not adopted any definite policy, or practice, in this matter. The children's sections in the local public libraries are largely used and much appreciated. The older pupils in elementary schools are encouraged to use reading tickets which entitle them to membership of the public library.

14. MIDDLESEX

Before the war, the authority used a fixed capitation allowance for the supply of books and stationery. This arrangement has since lapsed and requisitions are considered according to the circumstances of each school or department. The average cost per pupil is higher in small schools than in large, and the education committee differentiates in favour of schools in which advanced instruction is provided for the older pupils.

Although a list of text books has not been published teachers are advised regarding the suitability of books, and other items, by the committee's officers when they visit the schools, and also at the time when requisitions are submitted for approval.

Specimen books may be inspected at the central office.

A teachers' reference library is maintained at the education office. This contains a large number, of valuable reference books, and additions to it are notified in the Schools Gazette. A number of reference books are also supplied to teachers by the county library.

Supplementary reading books, on the basis of one book for each scholar in and above Standard V, are supplied. These consist chiefly of juvenile fiction, but there is available a supply of other books for adolescent pupils. Such libraries are normally exchanged every six months, and for the purpose of organisation and transport the machinery of the county library is utilised.

15. NORFOLK

The authority has approved a capitation allowance of 4s 6d [22½p] for older scholars, and 2s 6d [12½p] for infants for the provision of books and stationery. Special consideration is given in exceptional cases, e.g. schools with a low average attendance, or schools in which 'advanced work' is being done. £500 per annum is set aside for special apparatus or works of reference for use in the upper classes of elementary schools. £1,000 has been thus set aside for 1928-29. It is probable that in the future this will be merged into the capitation allowance. Specimen copies of text books are kept at the education office in Norwich. The education committee's Inspectors attend at the Office on Saturday mornings, and are prepared to advise teachers on the choice of school books. School and class libraries are being gradually built up, chiefly out of the ordinary capitation allowance. The county library has 218 local centres, most of which contain a juvenile section. Teachers can obtain, through the county library, any works of reference which they may require.

16. PLYMOUTH COUNTY BOROUGH

No capitation allowance has been fixed in this area. The policy pursued by the authority is that 'books are supplied on proof of desirability on educational grounds, subject to prior provision of necessary books, apparatus and stationery and to the limitation of the total amounts included in the approved estimates'. The authority intends to establish a sample room when suitable accommodation becomes available; meanwhile the education committee's inspectors give assistance to teachers in the choice of books. The authority will not provide a book which is not approved by the local inspectors. School libraries have been formed in most senior schools and divisions. During the four years ending 31 March 1927, approximately £400 has been raised voluntarily for this purpose, and about £300 has been contributed by the authority. Works of reference for teachers can be obtained from the authority's central library for teachers. If such works are purchased for the school library, the cost is included in the expenditure on books and stationery.

17. SHIPLEY URBAN DISTRICT

During recent years the authority has not fixed a capitation allowance in respect of the supply of books for public elementary schools. A central store of specimen school books is maintained, and representatives of recognised publishers are permitted to visit the schools. School libraries are provided by the authority and a small collection of works of reference for teachers and pupils is kept at the education office. All members of the public libraries committee are also members of the education committee. Many of the pupils in elementary schools borrow the books from the public libraries for home reading. Classes of children are taken to the principal public library for instruction in methods of classifying books, in the use of the library catalogue, in the use of works of reference, and generally, in the proper selection and right use of books.

18. STAFFORDSHIRE

The allowances, based on average attendance, granted for books, stationery and apparatus, are at the rate of 4s 6d [22½p] per head for older scholars and 3s 6d [17½p] per head for infants. For schools which include infants' divisions the rate is 4s 6d [22½p] per head of average attendance of the whole school. Where schools have been reorganised into senior and junior departments, the allowances are 7s 6d [37½p] and 4s 0d [20p] per head of average attendance respectively. A special scale of block allowances, with the limits of £13 and £27, applies to small schools up to and including an average attendance of 120. Receipts from the sale of needlework and other forms of handwork are added to the allowances on the above basis.

The Director of Education is empowered in special cases to exceed the total allowances. Approximately £1,000 has been granted during each of the last six years for special allowances, mainly for expenditure on books.

In order to assist teachers in the selection of books, a library of school books has been established, but no list has been issued. No books are put into this library until they have been seen by the inquiry officers who are thus in a position to advise teachers on the merits of the various publications. Their advice is often sought, particularly by teachers in the small rural schools.

The formation of school, class and reference libraries is encouraged, and the cost of books for this purpose is usually met out of the annual allowance for expenditure upon books, apparatus and stationery. Special cases may be met by an additional allowance.

The library service in the county has, in the past, been limited to rural areas. In most instances the school is the centre of the library service in the parish or district, and the head teacher is the librarian. Boxes of books, which circulate to the schools, usually contain books for children.

19. SUNDERLAND COUNTY BOROUGH

In this county borough no information is given to head teachers as to the amount per head to be spent on school material. The authority considers that 'the head teacher's duty is not to spend so much per head automatically each year, but to requisition for needed supplies with due regard to economy ... schools differ in their capacity to use both books and material, and a generous supply, which might be profitably supplied to some schools, would be in a large measure wasted on others'.

The general estimate for the year for all schools is based on certain allowances per pupil. These allowances are not rigidly enforced, and there is a wide difference in the amounts spent per head in the different schools. The special needs of schools doing 'advanced' work, or following some course requiring special material, or of schools in poor districts, can usually be met without exceeding the general estimate. The authority does not publish an approved list of books, nor does it maintain a book room. Head teachers are expected to keep themselves informed regarding the latest publications. Advice and suggestions may be obtained from the education office.

Special requirements in connection with school libraries and reference books for teachers are dealt with in the general estimate, but no stated sum is set aside for their provision.

20. SWANSEA COUNTY BOROUGH.

The undermentioned scale of allowances for books, apparatus and stationery is administered on the basis of the average attendance for the preceding school year. The scale is graded to give a higher rate per head to the small than to the large schools.

The choice of books is left in the hands of head teachers, subject to scrutiny by the Director of Education. The authority contemplates the formation of a library of specimen school books.

Every school is equipped with a school library, and the cost is met out of the capitation allowance or from voluntary assistance.

The public libraries committee sends boxes of books to schools on the application of head teachers.

21. TAUNTON BOROUGH

No capitation allowance for books and stationery has been fixed for schools in the borough. The education committee considers the quarterly requisitions from these schools, and, where necessary, deletes certain items, or reserves them for further consideration. Books in the public library are lent to elementary schools on request, and a grant of £20 per annum is made by the education committee in connection with the school library section of the public library. A grant of £10 per annum is allowed for the purchase of books for the teachers' library section of the public library.