An effective school library enhances student learning outcomes by providing a range of programs, services and resources which support teaching and learning. It also supports and encourages students' reading experiences.
Effective school libraries
- Offer quality programs that support the curriculum.
- Help teachers integrate information literacy skills into learning activities.
- Promote information literacy by helping students develop skills to find, evaluate, use, create and share information and knowledge.
- Enrich student reading experiences and develop independent reading skills.
- Support teaching and learning strategies.
- Provide teachers with professional support.
- Source and deliver suitable and current resources in multiple formats.
- Maintain collections that meet the needs of the school community.
- Use current technologies to provide easy access to information.
- Adopt flexible design principles.
- Offer stimulating teaching and learning environments.
- Reflect and support the social and cultural profile of the school community.
- Operate efficient library systems.
Requirements
- Skilled, well-trained and enthusiastic library staff.
- Adequate time allocation for library duties.
- Good funding levels to develop services and collections.
- Library representation on curriculum planning groups and other school committees.
- Educational and administrative leadership by the school principal.
- Awareness of current library research and best practice.
- Support from the governing body (eg Department of Education, Catholic Education Office) and library associations.
Guiding principles
- Information literacy: The school library is a learning environment central to the development of an information-literate school community.
- Service: The school library is a managed centre of professional expertise and support for the school community.
- Reading: The school library is a foundation for the school's literacy programmes and a catalyst for the development of lifelong readers.
- Access: The school library is a hub and interface with organised systems for accessing and managing information and resources.
- Information resources: The school library is a provider of information resources selected to meet the curriculum and information needs of the school.
- Place: The school library is a student-centred facility designed to play a key role in the intellectual, educational, and cultural life of the school.
Research
Research links effective school libraries to improved student learning and academic success. A good summary is provided in School libraries and teacher-librarians: evidence of their contribution to student literacy and learning (2013).
This suggests school libraries should have access to a qualified teacher-librarian. Teacher-librarians are a critical link between teaching and learning programs and professional library leadership.
The Students Need School Libraries campaign, an initiative of a coalition of library associations, effectively outlines the benefits of school libraries and provides links to supporting research.
Further reading
- Research into teacher librarians in school libraries - ABC News, 2019
- Why school libraries matter - National Library of New Zealand
- Purpose of the school library - National Library of New Zealand
- School libraries matter! The missing piece in the education puzzle - Godfree & Neilson, ACCESS, Vol 37 2018
- School libraries impact studies - Library Research Service
- 2017 Softlink Australian and New Zealand school library survey report - Softlink
- IFLA school library guidelines - International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, 2015
- School libraries and teacher-librarians: evidence of their contribution to student literacy and learning - Hughes, Curriculum & Leadership Journal, 2013
- Library key to kids' literacy says industry - Australian School Library Association, 2013
- School libraries, teacher-librarians and literacy at Gold Coast schools: research findings - Hughes et al, Synergy, 2013
- School libraries and teacher librarians in 21st century Australia - House of Representatives Standing
Committee on Education and Employment,
2011
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