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Australian Children’s Laureate 2024–25: Sally Rippin
By Interview article by the Schools Catalogue Information Service (SCIS)
Issue 129, Term 2 2024
that this might prompt an overhaul in our education system and hopefully mean that all children will get the teaching they need. With some school libraries experiencing budget and staffing reductions in 2024, as well as some being dissolved into classroom libraries, do you believe libraries and
The Great Aussie Book Count 2021-22
By Michelle Harvey
Issue 121, Term 2 2022
This up-to-date library book count data ensures Australian creators and publishers can receive compensation for the free use of their books in school libraries through the Australian Government’s ELR program. Five minutes is all it takes! And don’t let the name fool you: ELR is not your typical ‘s
The future is bright
By Authored by Future You and SCIS
Issue 121, Term 2 2022
ills like never before. How can schools foster a greater understanding of the possibilities of working in STEM for girls, and what role can school libraries play in that education? As part of a two-part special on primary schools and STEM, Connections spoke with astrophysicist and author Professo
SCIS is more
By Anthony Shaw
Issue 125, Term 2 2023
ts (ELR) survey each year? ELR is a great way of ensuring that Australian creators are rewarded for their efforts from books which are held in school libraries. Each year ESA works with the Office of the Arts to ensure that they have accurate data to base the ELR payments on. Thank you to those sc
School library spotlight: Toowoomba State High School
By Lorraine Petersen
Issue 113, Term 2 2020
Are there any current issues facing your library? How are you working to overcome these? Traditionally, the biggest challenge that Textbook Hire libraries face is maintaining sufficient numbers of identical textbooks in the collection, in spite of frequent book damage and loss. This issue has b
Using the Medium blogging platform to teach critical and digital literacies in art
By Tania Sheko
Issue 110, Term 3 2019
ems art can help you if you’re studying to become a doctor’ . Projects such as this one have me thinking about the issue of staffing in some school libraries. Even with well-staffed libraries, teacher librarians might not have the opportunity to explore and experiment. Some of my most valuable exp
Windows and mirrors: Visibility and representation in Australian LGBTQIA+ YA fiction
By Nell Day
Issue 113, Term 2 2020
nating panel discussion among Australian authors Alison Evans , Jordi Kerr and Jessica Walton . We reflected on the authors’ own experiences of libraries as queer-identified young people, and discussed LGBTQIA+ writing in current Australian young adult (YA) fiction. Alison Evans recalled the
School library spotlight: Trinity Grammar School, Sydney
By Courtney Nolan, Stefanie Gaspari
Issue 116, Term 1 2021
iver innovative library services and promote a positive reading culture at Trinity Grammar School, Sydney. The role has strategic oversight for three libraries – the Arthur Holt Library at our Senior School, the Junior School Library and the Preparatory School Library. Having Courtney to manage the
School Library Spotlight: Xavier College, Burke Hall
By Fiona O'Rourke
Issue 119, Term 4 2021
e. I was particularly struck by this comment: ‘I am not a great reader but the library makes me feel safe.’ It highlights another important role that libraries play – helping to maintaining the wellbeing of our students. 4. How do you promote reading and literacy in your school? Are there any chal
Looking for silver linings: Educating about privacy and security in our increasingly online world
By Dr Kay Oddone
Issue 114, Term 3 2020
ve, and future-focused pedagogies. However, increasing use of technologies is accompanied by increasing digital security risks. We who work in school libraries, are challenged to fulfil our role as leaders of digital and critical literacies, to ensure that as new technology continues to be introduce
School Library Spotlight: Forest Hill College
By Helen Farch
Issue 117, Term 2 2021
staff at SCIS are knowledgeable and always ready to help with any queries. SCIS provides an invaluable service that enhances the value of all school libraries. Image credits Images supplied by Helen Farch
Supporting Australian book creators
By Anna Fienberg
Issue 116, Term 1 2021
ack on track, like the needle on vinyl as it finds your favourite song. My need to escape into stories – reading and writing them – has sprung from libraries. My mother Barbara, co-writer of Tashi and retired teacher librarian, enthused her class about a new book by learning the first chapter in
The Great Aussie Book Count 2023–24
By Amanda Shay
Issue 127, Term 4 2023
When authors and publishers are compensated for the free use of their content in our school libraries, they are able to produce new content for all. Together with the Australian Government’s Office for the Arts, Education Services Australia (ESA) is currently working with school libraries acros
What is a future ready librarian?
By Mark Ray
Issue 113, Term 2 2020
future learners is, and always has been, universal. Strategic focus As a teacher librarian for 20 years and then as a district leader overseeing libraries for another seven years, I have always believed in aligning library practices and programs with ‘what keeps administrators up at night’. Whe
Pivot! Moving a library forward when COVID gets in the way
By Catherine Barnes
Issue 117, Term 2 2021
er, in a space where learning is a purpose and a priority, this also provided opportunities to ‘pivot’ and enhance our programs in other ways. School libraries were no exception. With the awareness that we didn’t want to force a complete change of direction, both educationally and in the values our
The time to read
By Gabrielle Mace, Merrilyn Lean
Issue 117, Term 2 2021
nderstood that daily dedicated reading time would mean that staff would move quickly through their own book collections – and needed more! The school libraries were not in a position to support the increased borrowing habits of 150 staff taking part in Just Read, in addition to all our students.
Genrefication 3.5 years later: Reflections
By Susan Davenport
Issue 117, Term 2 2021
rary lesson activities that challenge them to borrow from different genres and allows for data-driven management. Managing genrefication across two libraries Where the genres are the same in both libraries, the same image and language is used. This has had a positive outcome of recognition when
School library spotlight: One Arm Point Remote Community School
By Mel Rowsell
Issue 115, Term 4 2020
e simply reading for pleasure, and where students and staff can be confident that the information they find is current, unbiased and accurate. School libraries have the opportunity to connect both staff and students to a wider world of information. In a small remote community, I hope to see our scho
Unheard Voices: Transforming library spine labels for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation
By Written by Education Services Australia
Issue 127, Term 4 2023
An idea came when she attended a School Library Association of New South Wales (SLANSW) professional learning online meet-up, focused on the role of libraries to incorporate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices into the English curriculum. This virtual session introduced her to a transforma
Positive promotion of the school library
By Jae Rolt
Issue 93, Term 2 2015
After I was named Australia's Favourite Librarian people began asking what it is that makes me so popular with my students, families, colleagues, and community. Whilst the ideas here work for me, they may not work for everyone. Sometimes you need to try other ways to find what works for you and yo