A study reveals sharp disparities in library provision that align closely with school size, location, and socio-economic status. The study is commissioned by School Library Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (SLANZA) and the National Library Services to Schools, and carried out by the New Zealand Council for Educational Research (NZCER).
Access and Opportunity Gaps Persist
The NZCER research identifies a critical issue: many students are simply missing out on access to library spaces, resources, and specialist staff. The most affected are those in rural communities and smaller schools, often those already contending with various educational disadvantages.
“Students attending small schools, rural schools, as well as those in communities facing higher socio-economic challenges, are disproportionately affected, often missing out on access to school library spaces, resources and services,” says Sasha Eastwood, SLANZA Interim Manukura | President.
The report’s findings confirm that these gaps are not isolated incidents but widespread and systemic, impacting the educational journeys of hundreds of thousands of young learners.
School Leaders Face a Vision-Reality Gap
One of the most concerning aspects of the report is the disconnect between the educational vision of school leaders and the practical barriers they face. While principals widely recognise the role libraries play in academic success and student wellbeing, many are unable to deliver these services due to funding limitations and other competing school needs.
“While many principals recognise the vital role that libraries and specialised librarians play in supporting student learning and wellbeing, insufficient funding and competing priorities often prevent these goals from being achieved,” explains Sasha.
The divide between intention and execution means that even schools committed to student support are frequently unable to provide the very services that would benefit their learners most.
Libraries Offer More Than Just Books
Access to a school library is more than just the opportunity to borrow books. Extensive evidence, supported by previous research referenced in the report, shows that libraries have a significant impact on a range of student outcomes—from academic performance to mental health.
“Previous research has shown that school libraries contribute to increased student achievement, greater reading engagement, and improved mental health – all of which are key cross-government priorities,” Sasha says.
SLANZA Urges Government to Take Action
SLANZA is now calling on the government to step in. Their demand is straightforward: ensure every school in Aotearoa is equipped with a well-resourced library and staffed by a qualified librarian. According to SLANZA, this can only be achieved through dedicated, sustained funding.
“Dedicated funding is essential to secure equal access for all students in Aotearoa, regardless of their postcode,” says Sasha.
The gap between well-resourced and struggling schools is widening—and with it, the chances of educational success for thousands of students. “Without urgent intervention, existing inequities are likely to deepen…”
SLANZA is urging policymakers to act, warning: “The future of education in Aotearoa may well depend on whether policymakers take this call to action seriously—or continue to allow thousands of students to be left behind.”