Article: Researcher’s Perspective: Is teacher librarianship in crisis in digital environments? An Australian Perspective

Abstract: "The information environment of a good school library has been undergoing a transformation, powered by technology and trans-media influences in our classrooms. The role of the teacher librarian is to promote books, reading and research, in old ways and new ways, so as to promote conversation and learning. School libraries that adapt to the digital needs of their students and school community not only continue to build a reading culture in the school, but provide the divergence and convergence in media needed to provide the materials for motivation, differentiation, collaboration and connections necessary for 21st century learning. Asking questions about the nature of the current knowledge and skills requirements of a teacher librarian in digital environments, and the ongoing professional development needs is related to digital aspects of the profession is an ongoing iterative process which provides valuable insights into the priorities and points related teacher librarianship and innovation in digital environments."

Read the article on Judith O'Connell's website HeyJude. 

Reference: O’Connell, J. (2014) Researcher's perspective: Is Teacher Librarianship in crisis in digital environments? An Australian perspective.  School Libraries Worldwide. 20(1): 1-19

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Article: School libraries, teacher-librarians and student outcomes: presenting and using the evidence

Abstract: "Evidence is required to ensure the future viability of school libraries and teacher-librarians. Education policy makers and school principals need detailed, reliable evidence to support informed decision-making about school library resourcing and staffing. Teacher-librarians need evidence to guide their professional practice and demonstrate their contribution to student learning outcomes. This review, which arises from recent Australian research (Hughes, 2013), collates international and Australian research about the impacts of school libraries and teacher librarians. It strengthens the evidence base, and recommends how this"

Read the article on the QUT ePrints website

, &  (2014) School libraries, teacher-librarians and student outcomes : presenting and using the evidence. School Libraries Worldwide20(1), pp. 29-50.

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Report: The 2018 Softlink Australia, New Zealand and Asia-Pacific School Library Survey Report

Findings from Softlink's 2018 Australia, New Zealand and Asia-Pacific School Library Survey into school library budgets, staffing, library services and trends.

Read the article on the Softlink website

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Report: What the Staff in Australia’s Schools surveys tells us about teachers working in school libraries

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.

Weldon, P. R. (2016). "What the Staff in Australia’s Schools surveys tell us about teachers working in school libraries". Australian Council of Education Research.

Read the full report on the Australian Council of Education Research website. 

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ABC News: School libraries ‘disappearing’ as the digital age takes over

Patrick Wood on ABC News Breakfast talks school libraries and the steps author Leigh Hobbs it taking to save them.

Read or listen to the article on ABC News. 

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Article: 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. These new Australian findings offer an evidenced based snapshot of school libraries and teacher-librarians, from the principal's perspective. They indicate that school NAPLAN scores for reading and writing were generally higher when student-to-library staff ratios were lower and when the school employed a teacher-librarian. In light of the National Plan for School Improvement, the findings are of potential interest to education authorities, policy makers, school leadership teams, teacher-librarians, teachers, parents and researchers. They offer evidence to inform policy development and strategic planning for school libraries and professional staffing.

Read the article on the via the QUT eprints website.

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