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How does the information get onto the SCIS database?
By Schools Catalogue Information Service (SCIS)
Issue 2, Term 2 1992
Have you ever wondered how the records magically materialise onto the SCIS database? There are actually nine cataloguing agencies throughout Australia inputting data. Agencies currently exist in South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales, ACT, Victoria, Tasm
The Great Aussie Book Count 2021-22
By Michelle Harvey
Issue 121, Term 2 2022
the most commonly available titles in school libraries – that were included in the 2021 book count survey – are: Macbeth by Laura Deriu et al (SCIS no. 1291862) Once by Morris Gleitzman (SCIS no. 1226878) Water by Mark Stafford (SCIS no. 1283458) Blueback by Tim Winton (SCIS no. 1
School library spotlight: Northcote High School
By Richard Smallcombe
Issue 126, Term 3 2023
e have now because we are in a smaller space, getting out of each other’s way because it’s a bit more crowded. What is your favourite thing about SCIS? I think the best thing about SCIS is that it’s so easy to get the records. We’ve integrated our library management system with SCIS, so it m
EAL/D in school libraries
By Nicki Moore, Martin Gray
Issue 121, Term 2 2022
resemblances to Nikki’s are, in fact, reasonably common. The table below summarises some findings from the survey. A full report can be read on the SCIS blog. Statement Percentage of respondents who agreed The EAL/D teacher bases themselves in the library as an office. 14 (12.3%)
School Library Spotlight: Xavier College, Burke Hall
By Fiona O'Rourke
Issue 119, Term 4 2021
brary session once a cycle where they log their reading, engage in 1:1 conversations with the teacher librarian and choose books they want to read. SCIS is invaluable. It is a cost-effective and time-saving alternative to cataloguing your collection while lending authority and uniformity to your
School libraries then and now - in the digital environment
By Lance Deveson
Issue 120, Term 1 2022
ues to online access, and Connections was available only on paper! Technology, leadership and change With the access to computers and the move by SCIS to provide an automated delivery system, school libraries jumped at the new technology. In many cases, they led in the use of new technology in t
Australian Children’s Laureate 2024–25: Sally Rippin
By Interview article by the Schools Catalogue Information Service (SCIS)
Issue 129, Term 2 2024
Congratulations on your appointment as the Australian Children’s Laureate 2024–2025. Your theme as Laureate is ‘All kids can be readers’. Can you share what this theme means to you? What I’ll bring to my term as Laureate is the idea that reading isn’t something we’re all born with the capacity
Insights from the Discovering a Good Read Survey
By Article by the Schools Catalogue Information Service (SCIS)
Issue 130, Term 3, 2024
Reading for pleasure opens a world of benefits, from nurturing empathy to enhancing academic performance (Rutherford et al., 2024). However, for many Australian teens, reading books often takes a backseat to social media when it comes to their preferred way to wind down.The Discovering a Good Rea
How to spot a plagiarised work
By Laura Iseman
Issue 133, Term 2, 2025
The advent of self-publishing has enabled many aspiring authors to realise their dream of seeing their work in print. Authors writing for niche markets, whose work lacks the popular appeal to attract a large publisher, can find their audience. Unfortunately, this ease of publication and the relat
School Library Spotlight: Te Kura Tuarua o Ngāruawāhia (Ngāruawāhia High School)
By Article by the Schools Catalogue Information Service (SCIS)
Issue 134, Term 3, 2025
What is your role in your school library and what do you do on a day-to-day basis? I’m often introduced as the ‘holistic librarian’. That’s actually how our school nurse once described me to a visiting health professional, which felt like quite a privilege coming from someone in the health space.
The return of a landmark in young adult literature
By Article by the Schools Catalogue Information Service (SCIS)
Issue 135, Term 4, 2025
Reading Matters was long a part of Australia’s reading culture. Established in 1991 as a biennial event by the State Library of Victoria’s Centre for Youth Literature, it grew to become the nation’s largest youth literature event with audiences that included students, professionals and the public.
School library spotlight: Nemarluk School
By Article by the Schools Catalogue Information Service (SCIS)
Issue 135, Term 4, 2025
As part of the Northern Territory Learning Commission (NTLC), students at Nemarluk School were asked to reflect on what would most improve their learning. The NTLC is a program that gives students a genuine voice in shaping how their schools improve. It places students at the centre of decision-m
How Monmia Primary School refurbished its library
By Article by the Schools Catalogue Information Service (SCIS)
Issue 136, Term 1, 2026
What prompted the decision to refurbish the library, and what were the key issues or limitations you hoped the refurbishment would address? My background is in literacy, so when I arrived at Monmia as Assistant Principal I could not walk past what we called “the library” without cringing. It
The last word
By Article by the Schools Catalogue Information Service (SCIS)
Issue 136, Term 1, 2026
School library design bibliography Here’s a list of some resources you may like to look at for further reading about school library design. Some of these articles have their own bibliographies, which will lead you down a wonderful rabbit hole of reading about classroom design and learning outcome
Library love letters
By Article by the Schools Catalogue Information Service (SCIS)
Issue 136, Term 1, 2026
sponses to our articles, opinions on current library issues or even a brag photo of your latest fantastic library display! Send your letters to [email protected] with the subject line Library Love Letter to join the discussion. This term, which includes Library Lovers Day on February 14, we hear
New websites and apps
By Article by the Schools Catalogue Information Service (SCIS)
Issue 136, Term 1, 2026
ry management system. Select ‘Connections Term 1 2026’ and click on the Download button. BBC Learning Hub Year levels: Students and teachers SCIS ID: 5552901 URL: gotlearning.com/blogs/gotfeedback Gotfeedback is an AI driven feedback resource for teachers. The premise is that while
Yours Troolie, Kate Temple
By Article by the Schools Catalogue Information Service (SCIS)
Issue 137, Term 2, 2026
Is there ever a place for censorship, in particular in the context of school libraries? In a world where book banning has been regularly in the news, Kate Temple finds the idea of censorship very concerning. However, in the context of school libraries, a nuanced approach is needed: ‘I don’t belie
Tui Raven – from guerilla cataloguing to inclusive cataloguing
By Article by the Schools Catalogue Information Service (SCIS)
Issue 137, Term 2, 2026
The abiding message of Tui Raven’s Guidelines for First Nations Collection Description is that the words we use are important. They’re important on the surface level because we want to be able to find things and we need to use language that is instinctive and intuitive and that people recognise
The last word
By Article by the Schools Catalogue Information Service (SCIS)
Issue 137, Term 2, 2026
The UK National Literacy Trust’s report on the state of teenage reading Clark, C. et al. (2026)t One college’s experience of decolonising their library Caprano, L. et al. (2022) The State Library of NSW’s toolkit for Indigenous spaces in library places State Library of NSW (2025)
Andy Griffiths: King without a crown
By Article by the Schools Catalogue Information Service (SCIS)
Issue 137, Term 2, 2026
I’m not going to lie, I’m slightly disappointed in the Australian Children’s Laureate Foundation, because upon meeting this year’s laureate, Andy Griffiths, I discovered he had not yet been given a crown – or even a laurel wreath – to mark his 2026–27 reign. He seemed unsure whether he would ever r