School libraries in Greece: A comparative study of public primary schools in rural and urban areas

This article investigates the management and functionality of primary school libraries and their contribution to school quality in two prefectures in Greece: Aetolias and Akarnanias (rural) and Attiki (Athens). Greek primary school libraries suffer from a shortage of school building infrastructure, a lack of autonomy in local authorities in determining financial library needs, a shortage of printing paper and electronic material, a shortage of qualified librarians and teachers training in library services, a lack of cooperation with the municipal libraries, and limited library working hours. The Greek Ministry of Education should identify and monitor the replanning and redesigning of school libraries, select and recruit qualified librarians, and develop strategies and policies to improve the quality and efficiency of the school system. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.