School libraries

24 November 2011
The Government response to the report, School libraries and teacher librarians in 21st century Australia, was tabled in the House of Representatives Chamber.

23 May 2011
Report from the Inquiry tabled in Parliament -- School libraries and teacher librarians in 21st century Australia.
pdf ASLA analysis of School Library Inquiry Report-- Prepared in response to the report tabled in Parliament.

ASLA and ALIA are encouraging everyone to get involved in our What a difference a school library makes campaign. Visit the wiki, join the Facebook Page and send to colleagues, friends, parents and carers. Checkout the checklist for parents and letters to principals and MP’s.

The five interrelated domains that encompass the role of information service centres of the school as an information environment:

What is a teacher librarian?

[As published in Learning in the future: Developing information services in schools, 2nd edition, 2001.]

House of Representatives Inquiry into School Libraries and Teacher Librarians in Australian Schools. The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education and Training has been asked by the Federal Minister for Education to inquire into and report on the role, adequacy and resourcing of school libraries and teacher librarians in Australia’s public and private schools -- 16 March 2010.

Submissions to the Inquiry
Submission to the Inquiry from the Australian School Library Association Inc. [PDF format]
Transcripts of the public hearings
Transcript of ASLA at the public hearing -- Sydney, 28 April 2010
Transcript of ASLA at the public hearing -- Canberra, 24 June 2010
Transcript of ASLA at the private hearing -- Canberra, 11 February 2011

Media coverage

School Library Advocacy via Scoop.it!

Tucker, Breanna 2011, 'Learning at their fingertips', The Canberra Times, 10 December 2011.

Egan, Natasha 2011, 'Teacher librarians ramp up campaign', Education Review, 13 October 2011, p. 3. [PDF provided with permission from Natasha Egan on behalf of Education Review]

Tucker, Breanna 2011, 'Archived: teacher-librarians fear for their future', The Canberra Times, 28 July 2011.

Simos, Martina 2011, 'Government plays catch-up on libraries', The Advertiser, 30 May 2011

Aedy, Richard 2011, 'Revisioning the library', Interview, ABC Radio National Life Matters, 8 April 2011.

Stateline ACT, 2011, School honours beloved teacher librarian, ABC News, 18 March 2011.

Tucker, Breanna 2010, 'Review of school libraries to resume', The Canberra Times, 26 November 2010.

Tarica, Elisabeth 2010, 'Library specialists being shelved', The Age, 6 August 2010.

Manzie, Daryl 2010, Interview with Karen Bonanno, Executive Officer, ASLA, 104.1 Territory FM, 5 July 2010.

Chalmers, Emma 2010, 'No books, no staff in Kevin Rudd's new libraries', The Courier Mail, 22 June 2010.

Rowbotham, Jill 2010, 'BER library-building spree exposes teacher shortage', The Australian, 16 June 2010.

O'Keeffe, Darragh 2010, 'Gatekeeper & guide', Education Review, June 2010 [PDF provided with permission from the editor]

Ferrari, Justine 2010, 'Library that lets kids know they matter', The Australian, 10 June 2010.

Charles Sturt University Media Release, Calling top teachers into the school library, 8 June 2010.

Aedy, Richard 2010, 'The future for school librarians', Interview, ABC Radio National Life Matters, 3 June 2010.

Parliament of Australia, House of Representatives 2010, 'How important are school librarians', About the House, 17 May 2010.

'Vital role in a 'death spiral'', Australian Teacher Magazine, June 2010.

Hannaford, Scott 2010, 'Funding cuts leave trained school librarians on the shelf ', The Canberra Times, 28 May 2010.

Craig, N 2010, 'Faithful few keep Dewey alive in download world', The Age, 2 May 2010.

'Teacher librarians vanishing', Australian Teacher Magazine, 29 April 2010.

Foster, F 2010, 'School libraries' future under threat', The Independent Weekly, 12 April 2010.

Godfrey, P 2010, 'What is the role of the librarian in the Internet world?', Interview, Adelaide Radio 101.5 FM, 12 April 2010.

Hood, L 2010, 'Principals feel internet makes school librarians redundant', The Advertiser, 9 April 2010.

Australian Council of State School Organisations 2010, School Libraries Special, 8 April 2010.

Brooks, K 2010, 'School libraries are the lifeblood of learning - let's not lose them', The Courier Mail, 30 March 2010.

Policy statements

Global reports on school libraries

School Library Advocacy via Scoop.it!

School libraries: a plan for improvement -- National Literacy Trust & The Museums Libraries and Archives Council, United Kingdom

Standards for secondary school libraries & Primary school library charter -- School Library Association United Kingdom

Media statements

Australian Government response to School Library Inquiry focuses attention on fractured responsibility for school libraries
5 December 2011

School libraries A+ for passion but funding must improve
24 May 2011

A meeting of minds: library professionals identify future directions
17 November 2010

New school library buildings are springing up all over Australia – but how will they be staffed?
7 April 2010

Professional knowledge contributes to innovative curriculum
26 October 2009

New research reveals school libraries hovering on the poverty line
11 May 2009

Celebrating school libraries around the world
27 October 2008

Literacy for everyone: School libraries essential to delivering Government's promise
21 May 2008

Celebrating school libraries around the world
22 October 2007

Information literacy bonds two peak groups
29 May 2007

Standards of professional excellence for teacher librarians launched
13 May 2005

Last updated December 2011