Research Articles

The 2019 Softlink Australian and New Zealand School Library Survey Report

The Australian and New Zealand School Library Survey, conducted by Softlink on behalf of the school library sector, examines key trends and issues impacting school libraries. Points for analysis include annual school library budgets and staffing levels, as well as the use of digital devices and digital resources in school libraries.

Reports from previous years

Engaging the Future of STEM

A study of international best practice for promoting the participation of young people, particularly girls, in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) Authors: Ms Sarah Chapman & Dr Rebecca Vivian. This research was conducted as part of the 2016 Barbara Cail STEM Fellowship and funded by the Australian Government (Office for Women, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet), in partnership with the Chief Executive Women (CEW) Ltd.

IFLA School Library Guidelines, 2nd edition

This comprehensive document provides material to support advocacy within and beyond your school. Appendix D provides a useful checklist to assess the level of services currently provided.

Certified Teacher-Librarians, library quality and  student achievement in Washington State public schools: The Washington State school library impact study  undertaken by Elizabeth Coker, PhD, MSEd for Washington Library Media Association (WLMA) 2015

Still Polishing the Diamond: School Library Research over the Last Decade

This study uses Neuman’s model of the diamond to examine school library research and scholarship from 2004 through 2014. This study finds that that there is still much “polishing” to be done by school library researchers and like Neuman, defines new “facets” that provide future direction to “move forward both the field’s research agenda and its effective practice” (Neuman 2003, 505).

Melissa P. Johnston, Associate Professor, University of West Georgia
Lucy Santos Green, Associate Professor, University of South Carolina

The South Carolina Impact Study

How libraries transform schools by contributing to student success: evidence linking South Carolina school libraries and PASS  & HSAP results, phase II by Keith Curry Lance, Bill Schwarz and Marcia J. Rodney of the RSL Research group October 2014

Future Learning and School Libraries (2013)

Teacher librarians and school libraries have a pivotal role to play in 21st century education and this paper presents an overview of:

  • International and national trends that impact on all aspects of education
  • The impact of digital technologies and the role of teacher librarians in the implementation of digital literacy
  • The changing learning environment and how school libraries can support student learning
  • The role teacher librarians can play within an education that builds capacity for student and staff learning.


Impact of School Libraries on Student Achievement: a review of the research

Report for the Australian School Library Association by Michelle Lonsdale, 2003

School libraries 21C, 2010

Report on the School libraries 21C online discussion, commissioned by School Libraries and Information Literacy Unit, Curriculum K-12 Directoriate, NSW Department of Education and Training.

School Libraries work 2008
School Libraries Work!: Research Foundation Paper 2008, Scholastic Research and Results

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