SCHOOL LIBRARY NETWORK: Challenges and Possibilities of a Proposal for the Educational System of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte
school library network; school library management; cooperative and collaborative library networks; Natal, Brazil.
School libraries are essential spaces for the educational, informational, cultural and critical development of students, especially when articulated in networks that enhance resources and pedagogical practices. This research project seeks to understand the conditions for the creation of a network of school libraries in the city of Natal, capital of Rio Grande do Norte. Given a context marked by weaknesses: lack of library workload and the lack of structured policies for these spaces. Based on an exploratory study with a qualitative approach, supported by documentary analysis, interviews with managers of the Municipal Department of Education and a survey of experiences of consolidated networks in other cities, the research aims to identify the main institutional, legal and operational challenges and opportunities for the implementation of this network. The mandatory articulation in the network of school libraries has already been published by federal law, Law No. 14.837/2024, which proposes the inclusion of a National System of School Libraries. That said, this research proposes the creation of guidelines that strengthen collaborative action between school libraries as a strategy to promote equity in access to information, improve educational management and value the library as a formative, cultural and pedagogical space in the city of Natal/RN.