ALIA Schools promotes the interests of school libraries and teacher-librarians, provides opportunities for professional development, lobbies for school libraries with state and local groups, liaises with other groups, identifies and analyses current trends in teacher librarianship, and maintains the profile of teacher-librarianship within ALIA. It is both an ALIA Group and an ALIA Board Advisory Committee.
HISTORY
Milestones in the 50 years of ALIA Schools
Here is a timeline that covers the milestones in the history of school libraries which became a separate section of the Library Association of Australia, now ALIA, in 1967. It also highlights significant events in the education and/or government sectors. Data from many of the reports commissioned by ALIA was used for lobbying federal government bodies which resulted in funding for school library buildings and resources. This funding, together with an emphasis on positive learning outcomes for students, has ensured that school libraries are influential within the education and library communities. For fifty years ALIA Schools has supported its members to make a positive difference to student learning outcomes. This support has also ensured that teacher librarians and school library staff are effective professionals.
Read the timeline and view the pdf.
Publications
One of the ways that ALIA has supported its members and the school librarianship profession has been by the provision of resources. These resources have enabled the school library staff and teacher librarians to be effective in supporting all members of the school community to be lifelong learners.
To access the list of publications, click here.
Advocacy
Recommended Minimum Information Services Staffing Levels
It is expected that school libraries provide quality services, effective resourcing and relevant skill development for all learners in their community. To achieve these goals, it is essential that school libraries are well staffed. An exemplary school library is underpinned by professionally qualified library staff using their knowledge, core skills and expertise to support the learning and teaching as well as provide for recreational reading.
A Manual for Developing Policies and Procedures
Welcome to the revised edition of A Manual for developing policies and procedures for Australian school library resource centres. Its aim is to develop the policies and document the procedures that are essential for exemplary management practices. The implementation of these policies and procedures will ensure that there is equitable access to resources for all users. A school library resource centre that is well managed is in the best possible position to offer the range of library programmes and services that are essential to the endeavours of the school community.
The Manual contains nine sections, a glossary, references and appendices. Each section comprises two parts, that for the policy and the second for its procedures. There are two versions of the Manual, one that includes images and one that is text only. To accompany the pdf versions is a template document, in Word, that can be used to update or prepare your own school library copy.
About School Libraries
Wondering how to promote the role of the school library, to your principal, parents, staff and wider community? Here are some ideas for you. Identified are ten (10) excellent ways that school libraries can make a difference
Download the A3 poster and A4 handout that describe how school libraries power high performance schools. Follow the link here.
Promoting your school library
This short promotional film, developed by ALIA Schools, is for principals, school communities, teacher librarians, library staff and teachers. The film gives an overview of the exciting role that school libraries and teacher librarians can play by contributing to student success in learning in both primary and secondary school settings. It is evident that student enthusiasm and interest guarantees an ongoing role for the school library.You can find up to date information here.
Resources
Five key stakeholders have been targeted as the audience for this film. To assist in promotion of the role of the school library and the teacher librarian the following resources can be of use:
AITSL
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers
The Australian Institute for Teachers and School Leaders [AITSL] has developed Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. In 2013, ALIA Schools prepared a document that would identify for teacher librarians, in both primary and secondary schools, how their practice could meet the Standards. Three of the career stages have been highlighted and the document titled: Teacher Librarian Practice for the Australian Professional Standards is now available.
Illustrations of Practice
Illustrations of Practice are resources that show what teacher practice can look like in a range of contexts to help teachers identify themselves within the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. They are impressions of quality teacher practice within a particular career stage of the Standards. Films were prepared by ALIA Schools to specifically help teacher librarians as they identify where their practice lies in the highly accomplished career stage. The films cover both a primary and secondary schools.
To easily access the films visit:
PD Events
17 November 2020 (7:30pm AEDST) – Copyright in Education: Part 2
Registration Link, HERE.
Cost: $44 for ALIA Members; $66 for non-ALIA members; $22 for students/retirees (all prices inc GST)
Date: Tuesday 17 November 2020
Time: 7:30pm-8:30pm AEDST
Venue: Online via GoTo Webinar Platform (participants will receive login details via email prior to the event)
Overview: It is essential that schools are aware of the ethical behaviours required by all members of the school community to be compliant with copyright regulations. This session will unpack further our responsibilities and offer ways to ensure that schools are on the right track.
Please note that It is not necessary to have attended Copyright in Schools: Part 1 to be part of this webinar.
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15 August 2020 (10:30am AEST) – The Impact of Digital Technologies - Beyond fake news: navigating our information ecosystem for truth and balance
Time: 10:30-11:30am AEST
Venue: Online – GoTo Webinar
Speaker: Dr Kay Oddone, Head of Libraries Australian International School, Singapore
Overview: In this webinar, you will learn more about the structure of our information ecosystem, the various strategies that are being used to manipulate information, and ways to promote critical thinking to enable teachers and students to effectively identify credible, reliable and relevant information from a variety of sources including social media.
20 June 2020 (10:30am AEST) – Get the Knack on Reading
Time: 10:30-11:30am AEST
Venue: Online – GoTo Webinar
Speaker: Adele Walsh, founder of The Knack, YA Professionals Group
Overview: This webinar will explore the reading needs of young Australians and how school libraries can support the recreational reading needs of their school community.
30 May 2020 (10:30am AEST) – Building Teams
Time: 10:30-11:30am AEST
Venue: Online – GoTo Webinar
Speaker: Tania Barry, Coordinator Community and Recreation Development at Moorabool Shire Council.
Overview: What are key staffing matters for school libraries? The quality of this service is dependent on the quality of the staff that provides it. How can team members work to their capacity and contribute effectively to the functions of their school library? The answers to these questions will be unpacked in this webinar.
14 March 2020 (9am-1pm) – Students Needs School Libraries
Venue: Avila College, 35 Charles St, Mount Waverley VIC 3149
Keynote: Holly Godfree, Coordinator of the Students Need School Libraries Campaign.
Workshop: Policies and Procedures Manual: Stocktake section: explore the purpose of undertaking one and considerations to be aware of.
25 February 2020 (8:00pm AEST) – Preparing the School Library Annual Report
Venue: Online – GoTo Webinar
Speaker: Deborah Brown, Manager, Library and Information Science, Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College, North Sydney NSW
Past PD events
COMMUNICATIONS
Blog
You can find up to date information here.
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Twitter
You can also see what ALIA Schools is up to by visiting their Twitter @ALIAschools
Facebook
You can find up to date information here
Instagram
Resources
CONTACTS
Chair of the ALIA Schools Advisory Committee and Convenor of the ALIA Schools Group: Anne Girolami
Members of the ALIA Schools Advisory Committee and Executive of the ALIA Schools Group: Anna Apfelstedt, Catherine Barnes, Penny Davies, Linda Guthrie, David Morris, Anne Plowman, Michelle Turner, Helen Weston
