Teacher librarians give students a window to the world

Teacher librarians show off the socks on display during the recent Teacher Librarian Professional Learning Community Conference.

At the heart of any school is its library. It’s a resource and learning hub for students and teachers and, for many, a haven from the hustle and bustle of the school day.

Teacher librarians play a pivotal role in ensuring that the diverse needs of those in their school community are met. In a world of evolving technology and social change, this is becoming more challenging.

The recent Teacher Librarian Professional Learning Community Conference explored the theme, ‘Capitalising on Libraries’. Teacher librarians from different education systems across Australia gathered in Canberra to talk about current trends and challenges, and to share ideas about how to prepare libraries for the challenges of the future.

Kathy Talbot, Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn’s Teaching and Learning Officer – Library Support, described the conference as ‘hugely successful.’

‘The conference showcased how diverse the role of the teacher librarian is in our schools, both primary and secondary,’ she said.

’It created fabulous networking opportunities, a chance to share knowledge, and examine and explore best practice and great literature.’

Kathy explained that this is particularly important for teacher librarians in small schools who often work alone.

Keynote speakers at the conference included leaders in the school library circle as well as renowned Australian authors, Jason Pamment and Jack Heath. Delegates considered how to connect students with libraries, libraries as social capital, the challenges of AI and digital technologies, and how writers can compete with new technologies.

With a 2024 research review by Australia Reads showing a downward trend in children reading for pleasure, delegates were keen to explore how to make reading a more appealing pastime.

Kathy described hearing from authors of children’s literature as particularly beneficial, saying, ‘We are working to ensure there is rich literature in libraries.’

Reflecting on the significant role of libraries and teacher librarians in schools, Kathy stressed that everything they do is directly related to what is happening in classrooms, with a focus on supporting teachers and preparing students for life after school.

‘We provide access to resources that marry up with the curriculum and what’s being taught in classrooms so that the students’ learning goals are achievable,’ Kathy explained.

‘We teach students explicit skills that are transferable after school, such as how to research and disseminate information, and critical thinking. This leads to lifelong learning.’

Kathy says holding the conference in Canberra provided an opportunity to showcase the great work CECG schools are doing with Catalyst.

‘Catalyst has highlighted what teacher librarians do, not changed it,’ she said.

In his opening address at the conference, Director of CECG Ross Fox emphasised the valuable role of teacher librarians, saying, ‘Teacher librarians are essential to assisting students to graduate as competent readers in alignment to the science of reading.

‘It is profoundly important that students have access to a carefully curated collection of rich literature, giving them a window on the world and a mirror to themselves.’