• Professional Development
• Conference

ASLA XXI Biennial Conference 2009

Perth Convention Exhibition Centre, Perth, Western Australia

29 September to 2 October 2009

Colleagues from Australia and overseas gathered in the beautiful city of Perth in Western Australia, which is renowned for its fresh, clean and unpolluted environment, its relaxed outdoor lifestyle and its equable Mediterranean climate, for Australia's premier event for those with an interest in school libraries and teacher librarianship.

School libraries play an important role within school communities as centres for teaching and learning, and breaking new ground in the application of information and communication technologies in the delivery of library and information services.

The ASLA XXI conference provided a national forum for teacher librarians, school library staff, information specialists, executive staff members, classroom teachers and school library academics to share their knowledge and engage in productive dialogue. The conference aimed to bring together professionals from all over Australia and neighbouring countries by providing opportunities to engage, celebrate, debate and explore the challenges and issues of teacher librarianship and school libraries. The conference provided a strong focus on information literacy, and an emphasis on literature and engagement with young adult and children's authors.

The conference theme, Engage, Explore, Celebrate was designed to engage the diverse range of school library staff, teachers, learners and cultures in our schools; to reflect on our current practice; celebrate our successes and explore the potential for the future. The Conference Committee aimed to do this by:

• Engaging participants in varied presentations and activities to contribute to their ongoing leading and learning
• Exploring issues, technologies and pedagogies that impact on school libraries
• Celebrating our successes and inspiring delegates to share their visions for future planning

Images provided by Tourism Western Australia

Last updated 9 October 2009