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Check the what's happening and the latest news from the School Library Association of Victoria


  • Display Ideas and Theme Calendars for 2025

    16 Jan 2025 4:00 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


    (Image taken by the author, calendar by Prue Pittock)

    There are many super resources with themes and dates to help you with your displays and class planning for 2025 . There are so many we can no longer keep our display calendar up to date so spend some time looking at these: 

    1. The Australia Reads Literary Calendar links to major literary events, festivals and awards around Australia. Not only plan library displays but your travel diary for the year. 

    2. Some creative ideas in this next list including National Dinosaur Day in May and one of my favourites, Clean Up Australia Day in March

    3. From NSW this calendar has events and dates of national or international significance and includes some links to resources. Definitely worth a visit. 

    4. This calendar has an emphasis on diversity.  

    5. A printable calendar with some events already listed. 

    6. Softlink have also a calendar of display ideas with books to match. It is updated each term. 


  • VALE: John Marsden

    19 Dec 2024 9:48 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    SLAV wish to acknowledge the huge contribution to reading and writing made by the Australian author John Marsden who died this month. John's books, particularly, the series Tomorrow when the war began made readers of non-readers and were devoured by readers in general. He was generous with his encouragement of teachers and young writers to find their passion and engage in the craft. John supported the environment purchasing the Tye Estate with its acres of natural bush in regional Victoria and preserving it as much as possible. On this site he also established  a small innovative school, Candlebark. 

    John Marsden

    (2005 Image taken by River)


  • Transforming Literacy: Highlights from the SLAV 2024 Conference

    10 Dec 2024 1:46 PM | Anonymous

    The School Library Association of Victoria (SLAV) hosted its highly anticipated Annual Conference on Friday, 29 November 2024, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC). In what was a sold-out event, this year’s theme, School Libraries: Transforming Literacy, brought together over 250 delegates, including attendees, presenters, and guests, all united by a shared passion for advancing literacy in schools.


    A Day of Inspiration and Innovation

    The conference began with an official welcome by SLAV President Di Ruffles, followed by a powerful acknowledgement of Country. Nina Taylor MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Education, delivered the opening address, sharing her love of libraries and reading and emphasising the critical role of school libraries in fostering equitable access to education.

    From L-R: SLAV Executive Office Pam Saunders, Nina Taylor MP, SLAV President Di Ruffles

    The keynote speaker, Madison Dearnaley, captivated the audience with her insights into how school libraries can support and transform multiple literacies. Highlighting digital, information, and reading literacy, Dearnaley underscored the library’s unique role as a dynamic and inclusive learning environment.

    Dr. Matt Agnew, astrophysicist and AI expert, followed with a featured presentation on artificial intelligence. His talk, Is My Phone Reading My Brain?, explored the ethical implications of AI and how educators can prepare students for an AI-driven future.

    Joel McKerrow’s session, Bridging the Gap: Transforming Pages into Pathways, added a creative spark to the day. Through his compelling performance and discussion, McKerrow reminded librarians of the transformative power of storytelling and the vital role they play in connecting students to a world of possibility and imagination.

    Engaging Concurrent Sessions

    The morning and afternoon sessions offered attendees a range of topics:

    • Teen Reading Trends: Prof. Andrew Singleton shared insights from the Discovering a Good Read study, uncovering patterns in teen reading habits and library engagement.

    • Bibliotherapy in Schools: Dr. Susan McLaine illustrated how bibliotherapy can enhance wellbeing, using literature as a tool for reflection and connection.

    • Library as a Verb: Kimbra Power encouraged librarians to foster excitement with events like “Books to Eat” and “Battle of the Books.”

    • Manga Madness: Aimee Murphy provided strategies for managing manga collections, a rapidly growing segment of library resources.

    • Budget-Friendly Excellence: Helen Farch shared creative approaches for maximising library impact on minimal funds.

    • Reading Models: Karen Rogers explored effective frameworks for teaching reading and how libraries can support these practices.

    Panel Discussion: Celebrating Australian Stories

    The conference also featured a vibrant panel discussion titled Reading Australian Stories, led by Jenny Ryan, Dannielle Binks, and Anna Burkey. They explored the importance of incorporating Australian literature in schools, reflecting the diversity and richness of the nation’s cultural tapestry.

    From L-R: Discussion panellists Jenny Ryan, Dannielle Binks and Anna Burkey

    Recognising Excellence

    The SLAV Awards were a highlight of the day, celebrating exceptional contributions to school libraries and literacy. Among the most prestigious accolades were the Penny Geoghegan Award, presented to Raffaela Grasso for her significant advocacy and inspiration to school library professionals, and the John Ward Award, recognising Roxanne Summer for her outstanding contributions to learning and teaching while raising the profile of the school library profession. The School Leaders Award was also a highlight, with joint winners Flinders Christian Community College's Cameron Pearce and Luke Swain, and Chris Jones of Northcote High School taking the award for their school libraries.

     John Ward award winner Roxanne Summer

    Penny Geoghegan Award Winner Raffaela Grasso

    Beyond the Sessions

    In addition to the rich program of speakers and workshops, the conference hosted 16 exhibitors at trade tables, offering delegates the latest in library resources and services. Networking opportunities abounded, with post-conference drinks at Bistrot Bisou providing a relaxed setting to reflect on the day.


    Final Thoughts

    The 2024 SLAV Conference reaffirmed the pivotal role of school libraries in shaping literate, informed, and curious learners. As one attendee noted, “The conference was a reminder of the transformative power we hold as librarians to impact the lives of our students.”

    SLAV Members can access resources from the conference in the Member Portal of the SLAV website. Non-member attendees should contact the SLAV Office should they wish to access these resources.



The School Library association of Victoria respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Victoria and pay respect to the ongoing living cultures of First Peoples.


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