The day celebrates school libraries as places of learning, collaboration, expression, and creativity – not to mention places where a love of reading is fostered and flourishes.
“Beyond the books, library staff equip students with essential skills like digital literacy, information literacy, and how to be safe online,” Bernadette Power, chair of the Australian Coalition for School Libraries (ACSL) explains.
“As generative AI, mis and dis information proliferates, and new technological tools and platforms emerge, it is critical that all students have the skills to successfully navigate the changing information ecosystem.
“The school library teaches, and supports teachers, in developing these skills.”
Research shows time and time again that developing good reading habits at an early age aids in comprehension, critical thinking, empathy, and managing mental health.
A well-curated and appealing library collection invites students to enjoy reading for pleasure, and activities and programs inspire engagement with content across formats.
Raffaela Grasso, Students Need School Libraries coordinator and teacher librarian echoes this sentiment.
“Students in schools are immersed in multi-modal forms of learning opportunities,” Grasso explains.
“Learning how to navigate those multimodal forms of learning is crucial in developing skills to be an active member of society.
“Modelling and supporting this in a well-resourced school library, ably supported by qualified library professionals should not be the exception, but should be the norm for all Australian school students.”
Australian School Library Day sits in the CBCA’s 2024 Children’s Book Week, the longstanding celebration of Australian children’s literature.
It’s a week in which many library staff will have been going above and beyond, and an opportunity to say thank you.
Resources and activity ideas can be found on the Students Need School Libraries website. You can also find resources on the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) website, including a fillable gratitude card to give to your school library staff to let them know that we appreciate all that they do to ensure a brighter future for our students.
You can also share your celebrations using hashtag #ASLD2024 and tag in the Students Need School Libraries campaign.
Your contributions will help other school communities still working towards building a well-resourced and staffed school library.
