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SLAV Professional learning program

SLAV delivers diverse professional learning throughout the year, including:

  • Face-to-face and online workshops
  • Masterclasses
  • HILO sessions
  • About Reading, Books and Literacy Series
  • Annual end-of-year Reading Conference
  • Mid-year National Education Summit collaboration with NES covering broad library issues

SLAV partners with like-minded organisations across various industries to enhance our educational offerings. We continuously seek new collaborative opportunities to support our members' professional growth.

Our professional learning program is designed to develop essential skills for school library professionals, ensuring they can effectively serve their school communities while advancing their careers.


Upcoming Professional Learning Events

Upcoming Trade Events

  • No upcoming events

Upcoming events

    • 4 Feb 2026
    • 9 Dec 2026
    • 8 sessions
    • Please refer to emails


    SLAV Committee of Management 2026

    The SLAV Committee of Management meets on a regular basis throughout the year to oversee the running of the association.

    For details on meeting locations, please refer to relevant emails or contact the SLAV office.



    • 7 Feb 2026
    • 5 Dec 2026
    • 7 sessions
    • Varies - please refer to emails

    SLAV COUNCIL MEETINGS 2026

    SLAV State Council meetings in 2026 will be held either at the Abbotsford Convent, or online.

    There are three meetings during the year that are held at the Abbotsford Convent:

    • Council Planning Day - Feb 7
    • Council meeting and the Annual General Meeting - May 2
    • Council meeting and Think Tank for future planning - Oct 17

    All other Council Meetings are held online and a link will be sent in the week prior.

    For further details see the Council emails or contact the SLAV Office.



    • 2 May 2026
    • 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM
    • Abbotsford Convent - 1 St Heliers St, Abbotsford VIC 3067
    Register

    THE SLAV AGM 2026

    The SLAV AGM will be held on Saturday May 2nd 2025, at 10.30 am at:

    The Bishops Parlour
    The Abbotsford Convent
    1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford

    All current eligible members of SLAV are invited to attend.

    Light refreshments will be available from 10:00am and a light lunch will follow the Council meeting. (nut/gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options available)

    For catering purposes, please register by Monday 27 April, 2025.

    Call for nominations for the SLAV 2026 Committee of Management

    The SLAV Committee of Management is inviting members to nominate.

    Being a SLAV committee of management member gives you the opportunity to join a strong professional team who are committed to, and passionate about School Libraries and Teacher Librarianship. It not only enables you to contribute significantly to the Library profession, but also:

    • raises your professional profile,
    • expands your knowledge and experience,
    • broadens your professional network.

    All positions of the Committee must be vacated and are eligible for re-election. All nominees and nominators must be current financial members. The following positions require filling:

    • President
    • Vice President
    • Secretary
    • Treasurer

    Please download and complete the nomination form and return to SLAV via email by Friday 1st May. .

    Nominations by mail must be received by Monday 27 April, 2026

    We look forward to welcoming you!


    • 5 May 2026
    • 1 Dec 2026
    • 6 sessions
    • Online (via Microsoft Teams)
    Register

    Next session: 5 May 4:30pm - 5:30pm - About Literacy

    Join us for this session focussing on what is new and soon to be published, with guest authors Suzy Zail and Ingrid Laguna.

    About this new series

    Each session in the ‘About’ series, offers a practice-oriented deep dive into either reading, books, or literacy. You will gain practical, actionable insight and skills, that can be applied directly, to improve your school library or professional practice.

    Click here for future session dates and information about this series.


    The meeting link remains the same for the series and will be emailed prior to the event.

    • 13 May 2026
    • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
    • Online
    Register


    Next Meeting - May 13: 4pm - 5pm

    Theme: Sharing resources


    This is a free event and all teachers and teacher librarians who teach, or support the teaching of, the Extended Investigation in their school are invited and encouraged to attend.

    The next meeting of the Extended Investigation Network will focus on sharing resources and will give participants the opportunity to ask questions about teaching different aspects of the subject. Participants are encouraged to present / discuss / showcase a successful resource.

    Joy Whiteside, SLAV EO, Micah Wilkins and Will Byron will facilitate this event. 

    Micah Wilkins is an experienced teacher of Extended Investigation. He was fortunate to be asked to teach the pilot study in 2012 and has been teaching and assessing Extended Investigation since then.

    Will Byron has been a teacher at the Virtual School of Victoria for 15 years, teaching mainly in the areas of Philosophy and Extended Investigation. He has worked in a number of roles for the VCAA and has presented on Critical Thinking in Extended Investigation in previous years. He is passionate about this subject because he believes it offers students a unique opportunity to develop their critical thinking skills beyond what other VCE subjects typically provide.

    Meeting Agenda

    Teams meeting link: https://bit.ly/46YPvWc

    Email the SLAV office for further information.


    • 21 May 2026
    • 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • Online
    Register

    2026 HILO Event Newsletter

    STATE LIBRARY OF VICTORIA: The Amazing Things They Can Do for Your Students!

    Description:

    Did you know the State Library of Victoria offers all students free access to an extensive range of subscription e-journals, databases, e-books, and other authoritative e-resources?

    If you haven’t checked out what’s on offer lately, do yourself and your budget a favour and attend this vital session!

    You will be shown how to guide your students in accessing the following:

    • State Library Victoria’s vast catalogue
    • Extensive range of online databases
    • Education programs and resources

    Click here to download the flyer for this event.

    COST: Members = $30, Non-members = $40

    The meeting link will be emailed prior to the event.


    About the HILO Series
    The High Impact Libraries Online (HILO) series showcases and explores the various ways school libraries support learning and teaching through online systems, tools, and programs. Each session presents a different area of knowledge within the online school library space; offering examples of strategic practice by experienced speakers.

    Knowledge to take with you:
    A Padlet is provided alongside each HILO session, to enable attendees to collaborate and extend their knowledge after the session has concluded. All attendees will receive access.

    Padlet link:

    https://padlet.com/slavconnects/state-library-of-victoria-s-vast-catalogue-and-databases-1h8glxc7idessutx

     

    • 27 May 2026
    • 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
    • Online
    Register


    Introduction to the School Library Toolkit

    Wednesday May 27, 2025
    4.30pm to 5.30 pm


    Join us to explore the guiding principles, suggested approaches,

    inspiring exemplars and targeted templates to support your success.


    This online session will introduce you to SLAV’s School Library Toolkit website. The session fee includes the purchase of the resource.

    The website explores how you:

    • Articulate your vision, document policies, implement programs, and evaluate your library’s contribution to student learning. 
    • Explore the guiding principles, suggested approaches, inspiring exemplars and targeted templates to support your success. 

    Event registration:

    $80.00 for SLAV members

    $120.00 for non-members

    $0.00 if you have already purchased the School Library Toolkit

    $80.00 for WASLA QSLA members





    Victoria STate Government Department of Education

    The School Library Association of Victoria acknowledges the support of the
    Department of Education Training Victoria, through the Strategic Partnerships Program.

    • 3 Jun 2026
    • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • Online

    Masterclass Banner

    LEADING FROM THE LIBRARY

    Description:

    Leadership can be enacted at any level, in all job titles, and in all manner of school library projects or initiatives, big or small.

    In this Masterclass, you will learn 25 practical actions for taking the lead in your role!

    Our presenter, Jacqui Lucas, is a Distinguished Certified Professional with ALIA, and a long-time champion of professional learning and leadership within the school library space. Get your note-taking pens poised and your questions ready, and join us as we benefit from the impressive depth of experience and knowledge Jacqui will bring to this Masterclass.

    Click here to download the flyer for this event.

    COST: Members = $80, Non-members = $100

    The meeting link will be emailed prior to the event.


    Padlet link:

     

    • 3 Sep 2026
    • 9:00 AM
    • 4 Sep 2026
    • 4:30 PM
    • Melbourne Convention Centre

    SLAV is a partner organisation for the Library Conference Strand of the National Education Summit - Capacity Building School Libraries


Past events

26 Mar 2026 Introduction to the School Library Toolkit
10 Mar 2026 Masterclass series 2026 – Embedding the Information Fluency Framework at your school
4 Mar 2026 Publisher Showcase
4 Mar 2026 Publisher Showcase Publisher registration
24 Feb 2026 HILO Series 2026 - START-OF-YEAR ESSENTIALS: Schools Catalogue Information Service (SCIS)
3 Dec 2025 SLAV Online Book Club 2025
21 Nov 2025 SLAV Annual Conference 2025 Transforming Readers
22 Oct 2025 Masterclass – Archiving for School Libraries
16 Sep 2025 Masterclass series 2025 – Renovating your School Library
15 Sep 2025 SLAV Extended Investigation Support Network
10 Sep 2025 Introduction to the School Library Toolkit
28 Aug 2025 National Education Summit - Capacity Building School Libraries
31 Jul 2025 SLAV CBCA Book of the Year Judges Talk 2025
28 Jul 2025 Introduction to the School Library Toolkit
23 Jul 2025 HILO Series 2025 - Digital Pioneers: The evolving digital role of library technicians and library support staff
11 Jun 2025 Introduction to the School Library Toolkit
3 May 2025 SLAV AGM 2025
27 Mar 2025 AI Masterclass
5 Mar 2025 SLAV 2025 Publisher Showcase
8 Feb 2025 State Council Meeting 2025
5 Feb 2025 Committee of Management 2025
5 Dec 2024 SLAV + EI Community of Practice Networking Event
29 Nov 2024 SLAV Annual Conference 2024 - School Libraries: Transforming Literacy
14 Nov 2024 SLAV Online Book Club
7 Nov 2024 A is for Archiving - Masterclass Series 2024
23 Oct 2024 Library Club Showcase
9 Oct 2024 Masterclass series 2024 – Walk and Talk - Literary Tour of Melbourne
3 Sep 2024 DATTA Vic & SLAV Makerspace Upskilling Day
23 Aug 2024 The School Library Toolkit Workshop
1 Aug 2024 SLAV Branches 2024 Online CBCA Judges Talk
18 Jul 2024 HILO Series 2024 - Session Three - Connect & Converse
19 Jun 2024 SLAV Extended Investigation Support Network
14 Jun 2024 National Education Summit - Capacity Building School Libraries
31 May 2024 Kevin Hennah & SLAV Masterclass
22 May 2024 HILO Series 2024 - Session Two - AI: 101
19 Apr 2024 The School Library Toolkit Workshop
14 Mar 2024 HILO Series 2024 - Session One - AI and the School Library
6 Mar 2024 Committee of Management
29 Feb 2024 Reading Forum Series 2024 - Session One: Publisher Showcase
10 Feb 2024 State Council Meeting
24 Nov 2023 Conference - School Libraries: Reading the World
16 Nov 2023 SLAV Online Book Club
9 Nov 2023 SLAV Extended Investigation Support Network
2 Nov 2023 HILO Series 2023 - Session Four - Search Like A Master
26 Oct 2023 Reading Forum Series 2023 - Session Four: Book Clubs
8 Sep 2023 Masterclass - The School Library Toolkit
3 Aug 2023 HILO Series 2023 - Session Three - Canva in the Library
2 Aug 2023 Library Display Workshop
27 Jul 2023 Reading Forum Series 2023 - Session Three: Picture Books for Older Readers
26 Jul 2023 Masterclass series 2023 – Diverse Collections: Equity in Action
20 Jul 2023 SLAV Branches 2023 Online CBCA Judges Talk
12 Jul 2023 SLAV / Sandhurst Regional Conference
22 Jun 2023 Masterclass series 2023 – Library Design and Refurbishment
16 Jun 2023 National Education Summit - Capacity Building School Libraries
25 May 2023 SLAV Extended Investigation Support Network
18 May 2023 Reading Forum Series 2023 - Session Two: Fantasy Fiction
4 May 2023 HILO Series 2023 - Session Two - AI and the School Library
3 May 2023 Book Covering, Basic Repairs & Upcycling Books
16 Mar 2023 HILO Series 2023 - Session One - ecourses - The UpGrade Program
15 Mar 2023 Library Display Workshop
9 Mar 2023 Masterclass series 2023 – The Collection Diversity Toolkit, Canada
2 Mar 2023 Reading Forum Series 2023 - Session One: Publisher Showcase
6 Dec 2022 SLAV Readings Kids Event
1 Dec 2022 Masterclass series 2022 –Digital Curation Tools
25 Nov 2022 Conference - School Libraries: Powering Readers - November 25 2022
10 Nov 2022 SLAV Extended Investigation Support Network
9 Nov 2022 SLAV Primary Branch Meeting - with Special Guest Emma Bowd
3 Nov 2022 HILO Series 2022 - Session Four - Free Online Tools
27 Oct 2022 Reading Forum Series 2022 - Session Four: Diversity & Representation
12 Oct 2022 Book Covering, Basic Repairs & Upcycling Books
12 Sep 2022 Symposium - School Libraries: Essential, Connected, Future Ready
1 Sep 2022 Masterclass series 2022 – Understanding the Science of Reading Research
18 Aug 2022 Masterclass series 2022 – Library Design and Refurbishment
4 Aug 2022 HILO Series 2022 - Session Three - Digital Pedagogy Toolkits
3 Aug 2022 Library Display Workshop
28 Jul 2022 Reading Forum Series 2022 - Session Three: Reflection & Response
21 Jul 2022 SLAV Branches 2022 Online CBCA Judges Talk
17 Jun 2022 National Education Summit - Capacity Building School Libraries
2 Jun 2022 Masterclass series 2022 – Powering Access
19 May 2022 SLAV Extended Investigation Support Network
12 May 2022 Reading Forum Series 2022 - Session Two: Exploring Verse
5 May 2022 HILO Series 2022 - Session Two - Marketing Tools
17 Mar 2022 HILO Series 2022 - Databases
3 Mar 2022 Reading Oceania: A Celebration of Youth Literature from Pasifika, New Zealand, and Australia
2 Mar 2022 Library Display Workshop
24 Feb 2022 Reading Forum Series 2022 - Session One: Publisher Showcase
16 Feb 2022 Book Covering, Basic Repairs & Upcycling Books
26 Nov 2021 Conference - School Libraries: Powering Literacy - November 26 2021
11 Nov 2021 HILO Series 2021 - Competitions
4 Nov 2021 SLAV Extended Investigation Support Network
4 Nov 2021 Masterclass series 2021 – Media Literacy & Critical Thinking
28 Oct 2021 Reading Forum Series 2021 - Session Four: Picture Books for Senior Students
27 Oct 2021 Spotlight on...Hope Do
21 Oct 2021 Spotlight on...Dianne Ruffles
13 Oct 2021 Spotlight on...SERIES TICKET
13 Oct 2021 Spotlight on...Michelle Nye
16 Sep 2021 Masterclass series 2021 – Multilingual School Libraries: Why and How?
9 Sep 2021 Masterclass series 2021 – Orientation
2 Sep 2021 Masterclass series 2021 – Enriching Collections: Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives
29 Jul 2021 Reading Forum Series 2021 - Session Three: Social Media
22 Jul 2021 SLAV Branches 2021 Online CBCA Judges Talk
10 Jun 2021 Masterclass series 2021 – LibGuides
27 May 2021 Masterclass series 2021: School Library Spaces - Case Studies
24 May 2021 Primary Conference - School Libraries: Powering Primary
13 May 2021 Reading Forum Series 2021 - Session Two: LGBTQI Perspectives
28 Apr 2021 Book Covering, Basic Repairs & Upcycling Books (Abbotsford Convent)
18 Mar 2021 Workshop: What’s New with Citing the News Articles in APA7?
12 Mar 2021 Conference - School Libraries: Powering Learning
25 Feb 2021 Reading Forum Series 2021 - Session One: Publisher Showcase
11 Feb 2021 Book Covering, Basic Repairs & Upcycling Books (Hillcrest Christian College)
27 Nov 2020 Virtual Conference - School Libraries: The Power of Reading - November 27 2020
13 Nov 2020 Masterclass series – Powering Learning: Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives
29 Oct 2020 Reading Forum Series 2020 - Session 4 - Online
27 Oct 2020 Practical Preparedness: Dealing with compounding disasters
8 Oct 2020 Picture Book Showcase
7 Oct 2020 Culturally Diverse Literature Series Part 3 - Making Changes at Your School or Institution
17 Sep 2020 Masterclass series – Powering Learning: With Kevin Hennah - Session 3
15 Sep 2020 Culturally Diverse Literature Series Part 2 - Choosing Culturally Diverse Literature
9 Sep 2020 Culturally Diverse Literature Series Part 1 - Why Culturally Diverse Literature is important
3 Sep 2020 Masterclass series – Powering Learning: Media Literacy
20 Aug 2020 SLAV Branches Online CBCA Judges Talk
19 Aug 2020 Masterclass series – Powering Learning: With Kevin Hennah - Session 2
10 Aug 2020 Masterclass series – Powering Learning: LibGuides
30 Jul 2020 Reading Forum Series 2020 - Session 3 - Collaboration - Online
23 Jul 2020 Masterclass series – Powering Learning: With Kevin Hennah - (Series Ticket)
23 Jul 2020 Masterclass series – Powering Learning: With Kevin Hennah - Session 1
14 May 2020 Reading Forum Series 2020 - Session 2 - Online Event
27 Feb 2020 Reading Forum Series 2020 (All 4 Sessions)
27 Feb 2020 Reading Forum Series 2020 - Session 1, Melbourne Grammar School
29 Nov 2019 November Conference - INSPIRING LEARNERS, BUILDING MINDS- CREATING READERS
31 Oct 2019 Reading Forum Series 2019 - Session 4, Carey Grammar School - Junior Library
13 Sep 2019 Masterclass series – Media Literacy
6 Sep 2019 Masterclass series – Multimedia (ClickView focus)
5 Sep 2019 Reading Forum Series 2019 - Session 3, Kew Primary School
28 Aug 2019 Masterclass series – LibGuides: Advanced
2 Aug 2019 Masterclass series – LibGuides: Beginners
31 Jul 2019 Maker Meet Up
26 Jul 2019 Masterclass series – Inspired Libraries: Makeovers, Reinvigorations, Reinventions
14 Jun 2019 Understanding Catalogue Records - Workshop - 14 June 2019
31 May 2019 Primary Conference May 31 2019 - Inspiring Learners: Building Connections
9 May 2019 Reading Forum Series 2019 - Session 2, Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar School
29 Mar 2019 Conference March 29 2019 - Inspiring Learners, Building Minds: Global and Digital
28 Feb 2019 Reading Forum Series 2019 - Session 1, Melbourne Grammar School
23 Nov 2018 Real Libraries- Reading the World
14 Nov 2018 Book Covering & Basic Repairs - Workshop - 14 Nov 2018
1 Nov 2018 Reading Forum Series 2018 - Session 4, The Dream Factory
24 Oct 2018 Book Covering & Basic Repairs - Workshop - 24 Oct 2018
17 Oct 2018 Understanding Catalogue Records - Workshop - 17 Oct 2018
10 Oct 2018 Understanding Catalogue Records - Workshop - 10 Oct 2018
19 Sep 2018 RDA Update - Workshop - 19 Sep 2018
15 Sep 2018 State Council Meeting
12 Sep 2018 RDA Update - Workshop - 12 Sep 2018
5 Sep 2018 Committee of Management

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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Abbotsford Convent, C 1.22 Convent Building, 1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford, VIC, 3067

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