School librarians from across Latvia meet in Rauna to share experience
School librarians from various parts of Latvia gathered at Rauna Primary School on 21 October to share experience and gather new ideas. The event was initiated by the school's librarian, Inga Cera.
A learning and networking day for school librarians, titled "Let's share, learn and grow!", took place in Rauna, Cēsis municipality, Latvia, on 21 October. Participants came from Riga, Jūrmala, Cēsis, Valmiera, Latgale, Smiltene, Madona, Gulbene, Ādaži, Sigulda and other places. They learned together, exchanged experience and looked for new ideas for running libraries in schools.
How the idea came about
The idea came from Inga Cera, the librarian at Rauna Primary School. She says it began with a conversation with colleagues about school librarians needing a learning and meeting day of their own. In her words, such an event had not been held in Latvia for quite some time. School principal Edgars Plētiens and his deputy Justīne Buliņa-Pinka helped turn the idea into a live event.
Programme
Participants discussed the librarian's role in school and how school principals see that role, values-based cooperation, and the library's potential in values education. Experience in promoting reading skills was also covered. Digna Soboļeva, head of the Rauna library, spoke about the library's support for the learning process. The day ended with a tour of Rauna led by E. Plētiens.
The library's role in school
I. Cera believes a modern school library is a multifunctional learning, information and cultural environment, not just a place to borrow books. She mentions book exhibitions, reading contests, themed weeks and creative tasks as ways to show children and young people that reading can be engaging. In her view, the library supports both pupils and teachers.
Participants said the day passed in an inspiring atmosphere and concluded that it is important for librarians to meet and share experience. The Rauna Primary School team thanked everyone who took part and helped organise the event.
