Advocacy Support 

'It's a crucial role': Teacher librarians push to boost their numbers in schools (2020)

Kerry Pope, Head of Library Services at Toongabbie Christian College, NSW, is among the association of teacher librarians calling for higher staff numbers in schools.

Article published in The Sydney Morning Herald, 24 November, 2020.

Teacher librarians linked to improved student literacy (2020)

New research by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) reveals schools with a qualified teacher librarian are more likely to have improved student literacy outcomes.

Research published on the ACER website, 7 September, 2020.

School Libraries: the heart of 21st century learning (2019)

The ACT Education Directorate is committed to delivering educational services that will empower students to learn for life, through equity, diversity, collaboration and partnerships. Teacher librarians, with assistance and support from library staff, provide specialist expertise in literature, information literacy and digital literacy, as well as maintaining a current and relevant library collection.

How to make reading as fun as watching TV (2018)

ABC radio interview with Margaret K. Merga, Senior Lecturer in Education, Curtin University and Holly Godfree, Teacher Librarian, 7 September, 2018)

We ask an education expert how parents can make reading a fun past-time for children. We also discuss the role of teacher librarians and the school library in engaging students.

Neil Gaiman and Chris Riddell on why we need libraries – an essay in pictures (2018)
Two great champions of reading for pleasure return to remind us that it really is an important thing to do – and that libraries create literate citizens

AASL National School Library Standards
The AASL Standards Framework reflects a comprehensive approach to teaching and learning by demonstrating the connection between learner, school librarian and school library standards. The recently released AASL Standards Framework for Learners introduces stakeholders to this student-focused segment at the heart of AASL’s standards. Harness for teacher collaboration and advocacy. It can be downloaded, along with other useful material, from the website.

The vital work of teacher librarians in the digital age (2018)
Advocating our work to the community, this article by Canberra teacher-librarian, Olivia Neilson was published in the Canberra Times, 18 May, 2018

School Libraries Matter! (ACCESS 32-1, 2018) [PDF]

This article examines the skills Australian students will need for the future and how school library staff and services support these skills. Future implications for the library profession are identified here. 

School libraries enhancing student wellbeing (SCIS Connections 105, 2018)
Jackie Child believes school libraries foster student wellbeing, providing students with a place of refuge where creativity and mindfulness are valued.

School libraries: miracles and madness (SCIS Connections 104, 2018)
Jackie French writes about the need for qualified, experienced and compassionate teacher librarians in schools. 

The ‘teacher’ in ‘teacher librarian’ (2017)
Teacher librarian Tania Sheko highlights the teaching aspect of teacher librarianship, and how she facilitates learning in her school.

In conversation with ASLA’s Teacher Librarian of the Year (SCIS Schools Catalogue Information Service, 2017)

SCIS recently spoke to Jane Viner about what makes her library unique and what she finds most rewarding about her role and working in school libraries.

Neil Gaiman leads authors demanding action to halt decline of school libraries. (The Guardian, 24 November, 2017)
This open letter says falling provision risks consigning children to ‘a lifetime of low achievement.

School Librarians – Leadership, advocacy and hand wringing (2017)
It’s time to accept the challenge and show politicians, administrators and parents that eliminating school librarians comes with a high price not only to students but to the entire educational community. Leadership is no longer an option for you. It’s a job requirement.

School libraries and teacher librarians - infographic (2017)
Print Kay Oddone's poster and spread the word - we NEED school libraries and teacher-librarians

Advocacy is not enough we need power (2017)
by Nadine Bailey

What next for school libraries?  (2017) [PDF]

Jackie Tang explores the changing nature of school libraries in Australia

Are school libraries on the way out or up? (2017)
Interview with Sandra Amoore, ASLA president.
Published in EducationHQ 9 October 2017.

Always a place for pen and paper in schools' as school libraries go digital (2017)
Published inThe Courier Mail’s QWeekend Magazine, (June 24-25, 2017)
This article advocates for school libraries with insightful comments from those working in and using them, including from ASLA President, Sandy Amoore.

Literature Review: The impact of reading for pleasure and empowerment (2015)

The Reading Agency

We are the weather makers (ACCESS 28-2, 2014)

Holly Godfree and Olivia Nielson deliver an overview of the successful advocacy work of teacher librarians in Canberra.

100 Things Kids Will MIss poster

Dr Nancy Everhart has granted permission to the Australian School Library Association to provide access to the 100 Things Kids Will Miss poster.

Download here. [PDF]

The content for this poster is taken from the Standards for the 21st Century Learner by the American Association of School Libraries (AASL), suggestions from members of the AASL an students in school libraries of the United States. This list was compiled as part of the Vision Tour of the AASL President (2010-2011), Dr Nancy Everhart and research results of Project Leadership-in-Action by Dr Nancy Everhart and Dr Marcia Mardis, funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Studies.
 
Revisioning the library (2011)
Aedy, Richard 2011, Interview, ABC Radio National Life Matters, 8 April 2011.

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

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

Future Learning and School Librarians
The Australian School Library Association (ASLA) is calling upon Australian educational decision makers to employ teacher librarians as part of the solution to improve national student learning and literacy.  The association's report, Future learning and school libraries, highlights the positive role teacher librarians have in supporting future learning within the school.

Parliamentary Inquiry
Report from the Inquiry tabled in Parliament - School libraries and teacher librarians in 21st century Australia.

ASLA analysis of School Library Inquiry Report - Prepared in response to the report tabled in Parliament.

A teacher librarian advocate's guide to building information literate school communities -
ASLA Advocacy Kit 2006 [PDF]