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School libraries and teacher librarians in 21st century Australia

March 2011
Canberra

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Preliminary pages	(PDF 24KB)

Chapter 1 Overview	(PDF 122KB)
Background Referral of inquiry Parameters of inquiry Inquiry process Structure of report Definitions Teacher librarians

Chapter 2 Impact of recent Commonwealth Government policies and investments on school libraries	(PDF 269KB)
Background Council of Australian Governments Education Reforms Funding for non-government schools Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians Investments and activities Building the Education Revolution Digital Education Revolution National Secondary School Computer Fund Teacher Quality and Professional Development National Partnerships under the National Education Agreement National Professional Standards for Teachers The Australian Curriculum Main concerns Technical support Equitable access to quality online databases Cybersafety Devolution of management to school principals and implications for resourcing school libraries Consultation on national curriculum and teaching standards Leadership opportunities at the national level

Chapter 3 Potential of school libraries and teacher librarians to contribute to improved educational and community outcomes	(PDF 261KB)
Research proving the link between school libraries and scholastic achievement International research findings Australian research findings Evidence-based practice Literacy and the role of teacher librarians Supporting classroom teachers Supporting literacy learning – NAPLAN tests Importance to gifted children Encouraging a love of reading Improving digital literacy School libraries as socially inclusive learning hubs of the 21st century i-Centres i-Pad trials Self-promotion Library Associations Teacher librarians’ capacity for leadership roles Mandating a teacher librarian in every Australian school

Chapter 4 Recruitment and development of teacher librarians - Remote area teacher shortages	(PDF 259KB)
Devolution of financial management to schools and principal control Stereotypical and negative perceptions of teacher librarians Lack of understanding about role and merit of modern teacher librarians Underperforming and/or unqualified staff in lieu of teacher librarians Using teacher librarians as relief teachers and for supervisory duties Inadequacy of technical and clerical support Demographic of the workforce Decline in teacher librarians courses and places for students Lack of placements for teacher librarian graduate students and mandating teacher librarians in schools Non-uniformity of teacher qualifications and requirements for working in a school library More flexible pathways into the profession Scholarships Broadening teaching opportunities in general Limited professional development Limited promotional opportunities Lack of national data on staffing situation Defining the role of a school library and teacher librarian in 21st century Repositioning the status of teacher librarians in Australia Marketing campaigns at state and territory education authorities level

Chapter 5 Partnering and supporting school libraries and teacher librarians	(PDF 220KB)
Introduction Government departments and agencies Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations ACMA and Department of Broadband, Communications and Digital Economy Education Services Australia State and territory governments The National Library and state libraries Support personnel within government and non-government agencies and offices Other support for teacher librarians Partnerships with public libraries Case Study: Productive Partnerships—Learning for Life, Mackay, Qld Joint-use libraries Case Study: Taminmin Community Library, Humpty Doo, NT

Chapter 6 Concluding comments	(PDF 60KB)

Appendix A – List of submissions	(PDF 109KB)

Appendix B – List of exhibits	(PDF 49KB)

Appendix C – List of hearings and witnesses	(PDF 81KB)

Appendix D – Standards of professional excellence for teacher librarians	(PDF 142KB)