School libraries do far more than lend books, providing spaces where students can read for pleasure, build literacy, learn to assess information and feel safe and included.
That is the message from national school-library advocates, who say access to properly resourced libraries and qualified staff is uneven and declining across Australia.
The Students Need School Libraries campaign is marking its 10th year of calling for every Australian school to have a well-resourced library as a federal requirement.
Campaign co-ordinator and teacher-librarian Hajnalka Molloy said the lack of a national mandate left decisions to individual schools, often under budget pressure.
“Because there’s no mandate, it’s left up to site-based decision,” she said.
“And principals have to make difficult decisions with tight budgets.”
The campaign is seeking a national audit of school libraries, arguing there is no comprehensive national data to show how many schools have libraries, current collections or qualified library staff.
The Australian Library and Information Association, Australian Coalition for School Libraries and Australia Reads issued a joint statement on August 26, calling on school leaders to ensure all students and teachers can access an appropriately resourced library staffed by qualified professionals.
The groups said reading for pleasure can support health, education and employment outcomes, but students need time, access to books and suitable spaces for it to become part of daily school life.
In Tasmania, Libraries Tasmania describes school libraries as central to a school’s reading culture and says they can help lift literacy.
Its guidelines encourage schools to offer regular class library visits, read-aloud activities, borrowing opportunities, current print collections and comfortable, welcoming spaces where students can see and choose books.
Qualified teacher-librarians bring both teaching and library expertise, helping connect collections with classroom programs while teaching students how to find, evaluate, use and create information.
Libraries Tasmania says effective school libraries need skilled staff, adequate funding and library representation in curriculum planning.
The Tasmanian Government’s Lifting Literacy Implementation Plan for 2024-2026 also identified support for schools without qualified librarians or with limited collections as a priority.
It proposed partnerships with Libraries Tasmania to provide professional development, resources and timely support, as well as investigating mobile-library support for schools unable to maintain a quality collection.
Ms Molloy said a school library should be understood as a shared learning and wellbeing space, rather than simply a room containing books.
“The library is a dynamic space where students come and play board games, Lego, and generally make and create,” she said.
“Libraries have always been a safe space for all students.
For some students, particularly those who find schoolyard overwhelming it is a safe, it is a warm and welcoming space.”
