The evidence is clear, the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) says – when students read more their literacy improves.

School libraries, the ALIA says, play an essential role in developing lifelong readers, fostering a love of reading, giving students the skills they need to achieve learning outcomes and providing a safe and supportive space to build healthy and sustainable reading habits. 

Despite the link between low literacy and low or no library borrowing shown in this year’s Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), not all schools have a school library anymore.

“Urgent action is needed to ensure that all students have access to a well-resourced school library run by qualified staff,” ALIA CEO Cathie Warburton says.

“Without this, teachers, parents and the whole community face an uphill battle to encourage a reading culture in our young people.

Warburton says schools with a qualified teacher librarian are more likely to have improved student literacy outcomes.

“If we are serious about addressing literacy levels, we need to be serious about restoring school libraries,” she says.

“School libraries build brighter futures for students. A school library should never be an optional extra.”

According to recent research from Australia Reads, children who have access to books show a greater inclination to read for pleasure and, in turn, have more advanced literacy skills as adolescents.

Reading also has proven positive effects on mental health and self-esteem, with 74 per cent of children agreeing that reading is a way to help them understand the world.

Rebecca Slater from Australia Reads says the latest NAPLAN results show that too many Australian children are missing out on the life-changing benefits of reading.

“We need a national reading engagement policy, and investment in reading programs, campaigns, and infrastructure to change this trajectory, and build a stronger reading culture for the future,” Slater says.

On the eve of Australian School Library Day (Wednesday, August 21) and CBCA’s Children’s Book Week (August 17-23), ALIA says it is time to shine the spotlight on the essential work of school libraries and join in the call for every student to be able to enjoy a library at their school. 

For more information and resources on the Students Need School Libraries website click here, and for more on ALIA’s work, click here.