Advanced course: library and school

Libraries are key educational partners when it comes to promoting reading and teaching media, research and information skills. Implementation of the “Lehrplan 21” curriculum makes cooperation between libraries and schools even more important, because one of its aims is to enhance the use of information across the board. School libraries can support pupils and teachers and ideally should be incorporated into the school’s annual curriculum planning.

Promoting reading outside the classroom in communal and school libraries

Alongside schools, public communal and school libraries offer a range of projects designed to promote reading outside the classroom. Disconnecting reading from schools, exams and assessments helps pupils enjoy reading by associating it with leisure, holidays and pleasure.

Main areas covered

Part 1:

• Various functions and tasks of libraries in and outside the school context
• Ways of organising and implementing cooperation between library and school

Part 2:

• Library teaching concepts and tools
• Ideas and suggestions for cooperations between libraries and schools as part of promoting and teaching reading, media and information skills

Admission requirements

• Successful completion of the foundation course for communal libraries (or former consolidation or basic course)
• Working as a teacher in a public communal or school library or primary / lower secondary school
• Completed vocational training or middle-school certificate (secondary level II)
• Good knowledge of Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Good written and verbal skills

Course length and dates

• 44 lessons (of 45 minutes each) incl. excursions, excl. self-learning time for preparation and follow-up work and writing the course essay.

Lessons normally take place 8.30am to 4.30pm. The course is completed when the participant presents their essay.

Various locations.

Course fees

• CHF 440 for participants from the canton of Zurich
• CHF 620 for participants from other cantons

Recommendation for the communes: please make an appropriate contribution to the course fees.

Course details and application process

The next course is scheduled to take place in 2026 or 2027. 

If the number of applicants exceeds the places available, preference will be given to applicants from the canton of Zurich. The course management will decide whether or not to accept applicants once it has reviewed their applications. There is no waiting list.