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.