This report presents the results of a survey census and website review of school libraries, taken across all South Australian schools in Term 3, 2019. The census collected data on school library staffing, facilities, funding, and support.
Students need school libraries, and research supports this fact. These articles, websites and reports link to research from trusted or scholarly sources.
School libraries in South Australia 2019 Census
School Libraries Matter: the Missing Piece in the Education Puzzle
Why do school libraries matter? Teacher-librarians Holly Godfree and Olivia Neilson unpack this and explain how school libraries are the key to improving education.
Website: Dr Margaret K. Merga's research
Dr Margaret K. Merga has continued to show her support of school libraries and the important role of school library staff. Dr Merga has conducted an array of research, including the reading habits and attitudes of teens, the role of the teacher librarian, the importance of reading, and so much more.
What the Staff in Australia's Schools surveys tell us about teachers working in school libraries.
Written by Paul R. Weldon (2016) this report analyses the 2007, 2010 and 2013 Staff in Australia's Schools (SiAS) survey results to produce profiles of primary and secondary teachers who are working in a library role. It compares the findings about numbers of teachers working in a library role with the overall teacher cohort in terms of location, school sector and socio-economic status of schools. It also profiles teachers working in a library role in terms of their average age, gender, level of tertiary study and basis of work. It makes particular mention of early career teachers in libraries and teachers working out of field in libraries.
Literacy Matters Website
Developed to support the literacy matters campaign the Literacy Matters website lists reports, articles, initiatives and infographics that support the importance of school libraries in the ongoing development of literacy skills.
How do librarians in schools support struggling readers?
Written by Margaret Kristin Merga (2019) this article discuss how librarians in schools, who are often facing significant budgetary cuts, play an important role in supporting learning in literacy and literature. The article focuses on how librarian in schools support struggling readers.
Report: School Libraries: The Heart of 21st Century Learning
Published by ACT Government Education, the School Libraries: The Heart of 21st Century Learning report discusses the importance of school libraries and teacher librarians.
School libraries and teacher-librarians: Evidence of their contribution to student literacy and learning
International research provides compelling evidence that school libraries and teacher-librarians make a significant contribution to student literacy and learning outcomes. After summarising previous research, this article presents recent research focused on Gold Coast schools.
Report: The 2020 Softlink Australia, New Zealand and Asia-Pacific School Library Survey Report -Prelim findings
Preliminary findings from Softlink's 2020 Australia, New Zealand and Asia-Pacific School Library Survey into school library budgets, staffing, library services and trends has been released.
Leading from the Sweet Spot
Linking the role of the teacher librarian and student outcomes, this article by Emma Cox and Lori Korodaj explores leadership at a variety of levels and how the teacher librarian role can be embedded into a school community.
Report: The 2019 Softlink Australia, New Zealand and Asia-Pacific School Library Survey Report
Findings from Softlink's 2019 Australia, New Zealand and Asia-Pacific School Library Survey into school library budgets, staffing, library services and trends.
Search our curated collection of research here
Recently Added
Report: Discovering A Good Read
Report: Discovering A Good Read The Deakin Teen Reading research program has been investigating the reading habits and preferences of … Continue reading Report: Discovering A Good Read
Report: 2023 Softlink School Library Survey Report Australia
Report: 2024 Softlink School Library Survey Australia Softlink have published the results of their 2023 School Library Survey. Their report … Continue reading Report: 2023 Softlink School Library Survey Report Australia
Report: 2021 Australian School Library Survey Report
Report: 2021 Australian School Library Survey Each year Softlink conduct their school library survey of schools around the world. Have … Continue reading Report: 2021 Australian School Library Survey Report
Looking for more?
These links only scratch the surface of the mountain of research showing the positive impact of qualified library staff upon student learning outcomes. Our website is focussed primarily on practical tips for advocacy, but if you are interested in learning more about the evidence behind our claims you could plug some of the following terms into the search engine or database of your choice!
Possible Search Terms: Teacher librarian; Student learning; School libraries; Library Media Specialist (the American term for “teacher librarian”); Information literacy; Digital literacy; Transfer of skills
Working together to ensure student access to high quality school library services.
Stay updated
Join our mailing list.
Search
Connect
© 2024 Students Need School Libraries