Synergy

Australian School Library Day 2022!

Jacqueline Griffeth — 2022-09-23

Jacqueline Griffeth, Suzanne Livett and Holly Godfree share experiences of the newly created Australian School Library Day. Their words are illustrated with images of how various schools celebrated this new and important day in our calendar.

The indispensable library

Kaitlyn Woods — 2022-09-23

Kaitlyn Woods explores the strategies embraced by the Learning Commons at Mater Christi College - flexible use of space, offering unique services and seeking out collaboration opportunities - that have helped them build their ideal of being ‘more than a library’.

Advocating for digital media literacy: A comprehensive approach

Anita Brooks Kirkland — 2022-09-23

Our regular Canadian correspondent, Anita Brooks Kirkland, considers the importance of digital media literacy and the role school libraries have in engaging communities. Brooks Kirkland outlines the ten principles created to guide the development of a national digital media strategy in Canada and puts forward a range of starting points that will support our profession in embracing a role in digital media literacy education in a post pandemic world.

Evidence of evidence: Insights into the EBP journey of school libraries

Lyn Hay — 2022-09-23

In this column, Dr Lyn Hay acknowledges Dr Ross Todd’s contribution in helping teacher librarians chart their journey as evidence-based practitioners and draws upon some work Lyn and Ross collaborated on in this area to reflect on Ross’s impact and TL action. This is the first of a two part series examining EBP initiatives for school libraries.

What’s working? A case study of an exemplary school library district program in a 1:1 device setting

Mary Moen — 2022-09-23

The role of the school librarian (SL) is evolving to better meet the needs of a school in an increasingly digital learning environment. This case study research of an exemplary district-level library program in the United States, explores what is working by examining the valued competencies of SLs and contextual factors that enable strong library programs in 1:1 device settings. The findings suggest that SLs are expected to be change agents, relationship builders, curriculum developers, and creators of virtual library services. Critical contextual factors are district buy-in, rebranding, and an integrated approach to library services. The findings could inform curricular improvements for educator preparation programs and professional developers as well as increase SLs’ understanding of how they can strengthen their own practice and raise administrators’ awareness of the powerful ways they can support the school community.

Reviews

Nell Day — 2022-09-23

Great school libraries in Aotearoa: a qualitative study (2022)
International Literacy Association (2022). The Essential Leadership of School Librarians
Designing Libraries

Book banning in the USA

Patricia Sarles — 2022-09-23

Patricia Sarles, Coordinator of Library Services for the New York City School Library System, explores the current wave of book banning in the USA clearly detailing recent experiences and considering the issues at stake and their impact on services and the broader community.

Advocating for school libraries in Italy

Luisa Marquardt — 2022-09-23

Dr Luisa Marquardt reflects on the importance of effective school library advocacy and provides an updated presentation of the current situation in Italy. After a brief introduction, the content of the article is arranged around the following four questions:

• What is advocacy?

• Why is advocating for school libraries important?

• What are the main actions taken in the field?

• What are their outcomes?

New Zealand’s first School Library Week

Miriam Tuohy — 2022-09-23

Miriam Tuohy and Sasha Eastwood describe the wonderful celebrations and activities undertaken for New Zealand’s inaugural School Library Week.

Editorial

Susan La Marca — 2022-09-23

Verse novels 101 for school libraries

Kelsy Peterson — 2022-09-23

Kelsy Peterson explores the rewarding and challenging area of verse novels considering-

• What is a verse novel?

• Why are verse novels important for school libraries?

• Which readers will benefit most from verse novels?

• Which verse novels are best for school libraries?

Learning disabilities, bespoke audiobooks and representation: student rights with copyright

Luke Low — 2022-09-23

The wonderful team at Padua College share their work in making in-house audio book recordings available for students with a learning disability within the parameters of the Australian Copyright Act.

Being essential: Library values, educational beliefs, and social justice principles that improve and sustain school libraries

Carol Gordon — 2022-09-23

In a further exploration of The Essential School Library concept Dr Gordon considers the values and principles that underpin quality, essential school library services. The article has a particular focus on the data from the 2018 ‘Massachusetts School Library Study: Equity and Access for Student of the Commonwealth’.

Horizons

Rosemary Abbott — 2022-09-23

Professional Learning Opportunities – Local and Beyond