Introduction of the Hungarian school library system

Can library pedagogy programs save us?

Abstract

The today’s school libraries in Hungary trace back to the 18th century. After 1970 the school librarianship became an independent profession and library pedagogy was elaborated as well. Nowadays the Hungarian School Library Association provides the most support.

In spite of difficulties Hungarian school librarianship has much strength but needs to be improved in many fields yet. There are well operating libraries, committed teacher librarians and a good legislation. Library instruction is built into curriculum. In 2012 has changed the education policy, which also affected school libraries badly.

A way to save the profession is to elaborate the library pedagogy program and declare how libraries can support information literacy and independent learners.