The research related here looks at the position and role of school libraries in general school practice. The aim is to determine to what extent Icelandic school libraries at the primary and lower secondary school level are a democratic and dynamic venue for progressive learning and teaching activities, emphasizing searches for information, resource work, productions and use of digital media. Work supporting literacy and literary reading will also be noted. The symbolic value of school libraries will be considered and special attention paid to the housing and physical position of the school library within a school building or a school site. Views of teachers of all grade levels, students from grades 7 to 10, and key staff members at school libraries will be reviewed in an attempt to identify to what extent school leaders, teachers and library staff members encourage or initiate research projects, media productions and the use of digital media. The results will be analyzed by considering an array of factors, including the significance of housing and facilities for the function and role of school libraries. The research project involved 14 icelandic schools at the primary and lower secondary school level, 11 of which were located in Reykjavik. It is based on a survey among teachers and students, interviews with one leading staff member at each school library and field visits to explore library facilities and school buildings at each school site.

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