Advocacy
School Libraries Matter. They have positive impacts on learning, reading and wellbeing. Professional staffed school libraries are a vital part of a school community.
Find some of the more recent research below to assist you in advocating for your school library and its staff.
Research and Resources
- Australian Library and Information Association. (n.d.). ALIA code of ethics.
https://www.alia.org.au/Web/Web/About-Us/Code-of-Ethics/ALIA-Code-of-Ethics.aspx?hkey=eaeaf6ca-cdb7-4fd0-9dff-b0b1d35d8db4 - Australia Reads. (n.d.). Research review.
https://australiareads.org.au/research-review/ - BehaviourWorks Australia. (n.d.). Understanding Australian readers: Behavioural insights into recreational reading. Monash University.
https://australiareads.org.au/research/understanding-australian-readers/ - Charles Sturt University. (2018, December 11). Want better grades? Science says use the library! Library Blog.
https://library-blog.csu.edu.au/2018/12/11/want-better-grades-science-says-use-the-library/ - Darling-Hammond, L., & Cook-Harvey, C. M. (n.d.). Investing in school libraries and librarians to improve literacy outcomes. American Progress.
https://www.americanprogress.org/article/investing-in-school-libraries-and-librarians-to-improve-literacy-outcomes/ - George, S. (n.d.). Making libraries the heart of schools: Practical ideas. LinkedIn.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/making-libraries-heart-schools-practical-ideas-sigy-george-p1r2c/ - Heffernan, M. (2023). School libraries in Victoria suffer from shortage of resources, qualifications. The Age.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/school-libraries-in-victoria-suffer-from-lack-of-resources-qualifications-20230612-p5dfxo.html - Hughes, H. (2013). School libraries and teacher-librarians: Evidence of their contribution to student literacy and learning. Curriculum and Leadership Journal, 11(12), 1-5. https://studentsneedschoollibraries.org.au/article-school-libraries-and-teacher-librarians-evidence-of-their-contribution-to-student-literacy-and-learning/
- Mace, J. (n.d.). The AI revolution in schools: Why reading still matters more than ever. LinkedIn.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ai-revolution-schools-why-reading-still-matters-more-than-mace-bceac/ - Russell, D. (2024). Research news: How many students use school libraries? Teacher Magazine.
https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/research-news-how-many-students-use-school-libraries - Merga, M. (2023). Leading whole school literacy from the library. Connections.
https://www.scisdata.com/connections/issue-124/leading-whole-school-literacy-from-the-library
- Softlink. (2024). 2024 school library survey report Australia.
https://www.softlinkint.com/blog/2024-school-library-survey-report-australia/ - Teacher Magazine. (n.d.). Researching education: 5 further readings on school libraries.
https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/researching-education-5-further-readings-on-school-libraries - Teen Reading. (2024). Discovering a good read: Exploring book discovery and reading for pleasure among Australian teens. Final report of the Discovering a Good Read Survey.
https://teenreading.net/ - Weetman, N. (2023). School libraries are an ally to students needing an escape. We can't let them vanish. The Guardian.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/commentisfree/2023/sep/12/school-libraries-are-an-ally-to-students-needing-an-escape-we-cant-let-them-vanish
(Updated Feb 2025)
LETTERS & MEDIA RELEASES
| Life Matters Podcast: Teacher Librarians in declineResearch shows the number of specialist teachers in primary and secondary schools is decreasing, and those working in the field say when their colleagues retire or are made redundant, their roles aren't being filled. Life Matters podcast with Lyndell Sellars, head of learning resources at Cairns State High School and Dr Margaret Merga, senior lecturer and library researcher at Edith Cowan University. Crothers, J 2019, 'Teacher librarian numbers are dwindling — should we be worried?', in Life Matters, Podcast, viewed 11 October 2019 < https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/life matters/teacher-librarian-numbers-are-dwindling-%E 2%80%94-should-we-be-worried/11590334 > |
Students Need School Libraries Campaign
In an era of fake news and alternative facts, well-resourced school libraries prepare students for the future by giving them skills including the ability to find information quickly and identifying trustworthy sources. A new national campaign called 'Students Need School Libraries' was launched on 16th October. To support the campaign a series of films, that examine what it means to have an effective school library, have been created. Children’s Laureate, Morris Gleitzman, former Children’s Laureate, Jackie French, and many other authors, teacher librarians, students, classroom teachers and others describe their personal and professional experiences with school libraries. For more information: | What a School Library Can Do for YouIn 2018 SLAV released an infographic entitled What a School Library Can Do for You. This was an engaging way of illustrating the various roles undertaken by school libraries and the ways they can support and enrich learning opportunities for their communities.
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