We were very proud to celebrate 20 years of the JCSP Library Project at a very special event in the beautiful JCSP Library in Trinity Comprehensive School, Ballymun, Dublin last month.
Established under the Department of Education and Skills, the brief of the JCSP Demonstration Library Project was to improve literacy levels, develop a whole school reading culture and enhance the learning experience of our students. To date the Project has expanded into 30 schools across Ireland, all in designated areas of disadvantage. Each library is staffed by a full-time professional librarian.
Over the last 20 years, the range of programmes that have been initiated has far exceeded the original vision. We not only support student literacy and learning within the school environment, but we reach into the home and the wider community. Thousands of students have been impacted upon, not only within the immediate school communities, but far beyond.
We work in professional partnership with school management and teachers in planning and running time-tabled library classes throughout the day supporting all areas of the curriculum. We also provide out-of-class time access to our libraries before school, during lunch-time and after school. A range of clubs, activities and events are organised on an ongoing basis.
Our JCSP libraries provide access to the creative arts through engagement with storytellers, rappers, poets, artists, musicians, etc. In addition our students have had learning experiences with scientists, animal handlers, astronomers, chefs, historians and native Irish speakers. We have published student work, displayed student art work in community spaces, seen thousands of pieces of creative art and literature produced via workshops, etc. The school libraries have been turned into galleries, theatres, laboratories, workshops and even archaeological dig sites as these flexible learning spaces lend themselves to meet the ever-changing needs of our students. All of these creative engagements have enriched their experiences of the curriculum and life.
Our goal is to foster a life-long joy of reading and to give students the tools they need to successively navigate their world as 21st century learners. Throw away all your preconceived notions of what a library should be. Our libraries are not silent empty places. Rather they are vibrant active learning spaces at the heart of our schools.
Special guest at the event was Minister for Education Norma Foley who, having been welcomed at the school entrance by a group of TY students, was invited to view a display of student literary and artistic work along the corridor leading to the library.
A magnificant performance by the school band outside of the library door was very much appreciated by the Minister and her entourage
Speakers
MC for the event was Trinity Comprehensive JCSP librarian Neasa McHale who opened proceedings by welcoming the over 150 guests. These included a large number of representatives from across the political, educational, library and arts worlds.
Trinity Comprehensive School Principal Frances Neary spoke on what it means to have a JCSP library in her school:
You are seated in the heart of our school. Our JCSP Library is where our school day starts and ends for most of our students. This vibrant, busy, creative space is inclusive to all and has helped our students bridge the gap between disadvantage and educational outcome…The students are engaging with books, practical tasks, working with poets, storytellers, authors, putting their words to song or rap, creating art, acting – we watch them learn and grow from each experience…Our library is also a sanctuary for our children…It’s a hub for connection and a safe space for all…Today we are celebrating the success of a library programme that makes a difference, impacting thousands of children daily. The libraries and the highly trained librarians are an asset to every school that is lucky to have one. The JCSP Library Project has changed the way schools go about their core business and the libraries have placed themselves a the heart of school improvement, DEIS and SSE…proof that the 20 years of JCSP Library development is nothing other than a success story that just keeps giving.
You are seated in the heart of our school. Our JCSP Library is where our school day starts and ends for most of our students
Principal Frances Neary
Senior JCSP Librarian Kathleen Moran acknowledged the contributions of the Project founders – Aideen Cassidy and Bernie Kiely (former National Coordinators of JCSP) and Aidan Clifford (former Director of the City of Dublin ETB Curriculum Development Unit) – who were all present at the event. She outlined the history of the Project and the impact it has had on literacy, learning and student engagement over the last 20 years:
Our librrians work very had to ensure every student has the opportunity to participate in a wide range of literacy, cultural and artistic activities. They create an environment rich in language, oral expression, respect and understanding and crucially, they guide students to develop within that environment. They work on developing not only reading skills but alst thinking skills, including self-awareness and self-regulation…They provide meaningful and diverse choices for each student in reading materials that appeal to different interests, abilities and life experiences. Our professionally staffed JCSP libraries are hubs of learning, inquiry and intellectual curiosity. They can and do support far more than reading for pleasure. Research and inquiry learning, media, digital and information literacy, extra-curricular clubs and activities, are all fundamental services that our libraries and librarians provide, not to mention the creation of safe spaces which prioritise wellbeing and the development of creativity and imagination.
School libraries are places where curiosity is sparked, where criticality and creativity flourish and where ideas are born
Senior Librarian Kathleen Moran
Kathleen thanked the Joint Oireacthas Committee on Education for their very strong recommendations for school library services development in their recent reports on Leaving Certificate Reform, on Supports for Ukrainian and Other Displaced Students and on Mental Health Supports for Students. She finished by acknowledging the vision of the Project founders and the Department of Education in establishing the JCSP Library Project in 2002 and stated that it was now time for a new vision to develop and expand the Project going forward into the next decade.
Our Project has proven its value in the education system and there is huge demand from other DEIS schools for further expansion as was committed to in the original DEIS Action Plan
Senior Librarian Kathleen Moran
In her speech, Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD said that she had visited Trinity Comprehensive School on previous occasions and acknowledged the great work being done there. She stated that she believed in “the power of books” and referenced the various grants and supports provided by the Department of Education to support reading in schools – including the recent commitment to provide free textbooks to all Primary pupils and Junior Cycle second-level students, and the recent €20m once-off grant to schools for the purchase of books and other reading materials.
I believe in the power of books
Minister for Education Norma Foley
Guests were enthralled by poet and long-time JCSP Library Project supporter Colm Keegan as he spoke of the very positive impact that libraries had on him in his younger years and recited his poem ‘The Library Class‘.
6th Year student Ellen Kennedy received loud applause for her reading of her poem which was followed by wonderful performance by the school choir.
The Minister and all guests were invited to browse, and were very impressed by, the wide range of displays on JCSP Library Project events and initiatives that were on display both within and outside the library.
Project Displays
Gallery
