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Working together: collaboration between libraries and bookstores

By Kristen Proud

Issue 112, Term 1 2020

My partner Lucky and I opened Squishy Minnie, a specialist childrens and young adults (YA) bookstore, just over two years ago in Kyneton, a small regional town in Victoria. Our main aim was to increase the access local children and young people had to quality literature and to literary events. Prior

Leigh Hobbs on the invaluable, irreplaceable school library

By Nicole Richardson

Issue 106, Term 3 2018

ce and transformational power of reading and creativity for young people. During Leigh’s two years as laureate, he passionately campaigned for school libraries and school librarians, as well as the need for young people to engage in creative participation. His campaign for school libraries was drive

21st-century literacy with graphic novels

By Iurgi Urrutia

Issue 115, Term 4 2020

Reading is reading We read books, newspapers, magazines, billboards, signs, notices, bills, websites, blogs, social media posts et cetera. When we read all those things, consciously or unconsciously we’re developing and using multiple literacy skills. Thanks to the internet and social media, we’re a

School library spotlight: Val Wardley

By Val Wardley

Issue 122, Term 3 2022

oth in Katherine in the Northern Territory. I have lived and worked in the Northern Territory since 1997, and have spent most of this time working in libraries in some capacity. I have seen many changes in libraries over this time, from Command Line Library Systems and HyperCards, through to SQL and

Working with pupil library assistants in primary schools

By Lucy Chambers

Issue 107, Term 4 2018

eem and confidence, and feel empowered may gain an improved attitude toward education. Each year, the UK School Library Association and CILIP School Libraries Group run a national competition for secondary schools called the Pupil Library Assistant of the Year Award. A nominee acknowledged the mutu

Supporting multiple literacies through robotics clubs

By Chelsea Quake

Issue 110, Term 3 2019

School libraries have long had a natural affinity with English and humanities departments. This is understandable, given school library professionals’ long-standing involvement in literacy support and advocacy, and the traditional assumption that literacy belongs to these subjects. However, the rece

School library spotlight: University High School, Melbourne

By Stephanie Ward

Issue 123, Term 4 2022

bounce ideas off one another as it creates a sense of community and growing something and setting goals together which I can appreciate that not all libraries get the opportunity to have. My role can be more administrative than some of the other teacher librarians on my team. I’m responsible for th

Metadata to enhance diversity, connection and belonging

By Catherine Barnes

Issue 123, Term 4 2022

School libraries are dynamic, innovative and exciting places, but they are also a place for diversity, connection and belonging. Ben Chadwick (2020) explains: ‘Some things are fundamental  to providing a library service. Of course, you need a decent collection of resources, but you also need to supp

Supporting Australian book creators

By Alison Lester

Issue 110, Term 3 2019

I love school libraries and it makes me feel sad and angry when I hear about schools closing their libraries. The library should be the engine room of every school, a place where students and teachers can go and be expertly steered to the information they need. And, this information might be digital

Supporting Australian book creators

By Daniel Hughes

Issue 114, Term 3 2020

ross Australia. These payments compensate them for income potentially lost as a result of their books being available for loan in educational lending libraries. As numerous Australian authors and illustrators have attested, ELR enables them to continue doing what they do best — creating great books!

Supporting Australian book creators

By Ruilin Shi (with thanks to Jeannie Baker)

Issue 111, Term 4 2019

stralian book creators, including Jeannie Baker, lose income through the free multiple use of their work in Australian public and educational lending libraries. That is why the two Australian Lending Right Schemes (ELR and PLR) are so important to all of them. The Educational Lending Right (ELR) sch

ELR interview with Kim Brunoro

By Education Services Australia

Issue 123, Term 4 2022

y provides up-to-date library data that ensures Australian creators and publishers can receive compensation for the free use of their books in school libraries. Why is it important for school library staff to participate in ELR if they’re invited? School library staff are in an important position to

Supporting Australian book creators

By Sally Rippin

Issue 115, Term 4 2020

oices, so most of the time they were packed away in storage or wistfully handed down to a family friend. Sometimes we lived in countries where public libraries stocked few books in English or we knew we wouldn’t be there long enough to bother getting library cards. This is where I would rely on scho

ELR Interview with Alice Pung

By Article by Education Services Australia

Issue 124, Term 1 2023

Alice Pung is one of Australia’s most-loved writers; her books appear in libraries around Australia. Alice’s first novel, the prize-winning Laurinda, was recently adapted for the stage and presented by the Melbourne Theatre Company. Alice spoke to Connections about libraries, Laurinda, her most rece

The Great Aussie Book Count 2021-22

By Michelle Harvey

Issue 121, Term 2, 2022

This up-to-date library book count data ensures Australian creators and publishers can receive compensation for the free use of their books in school libraries through the Australian Government’s ELR program. Five minutes is all it takes! And don’t let the name fool you: ELR is not your typical ‘sur

The future is bright

By Authored by Future You and SCIS

Issue 121, Term 2 2022

skills like never before. How can schools foster a greater understanding of the possibilities of working in STEM for girls, and what role can school libraries play in that education? As part of a two-part special on primary schools and STEM, Connections spoke with astrophysicist and author Professo

School library spotlight: Toowoomba State High School

By Lorraine Petersen

Issue 113, Term 2 2020

ies. Are there any current issues facing your library? How are you working to overcome these? Traditionally, the biggest challenge that Textbook Hire libraries face is maintaining sufficient numbers of identical textbooks in the collection, in spite of frequent book damage and loss. This issue has b

Using the Medium blogging platform to teach critical and digital literacies in art

By Tania Sheko

Issue 110, Term 3 2019

seems art can help you if you’re studying to become a doctor’. Projects such as this one have me thinking about the issue of staffing in some school libraries. Even with well-staffed libraries, teacher librarians might not have the opportunity to explore and experiment. Some of my most valuable exp

Windows and mirrors: Visibility and representation in Australian LGBTQIA+ YA fiction

By Nell Day

Issue 113, Term 2 2020

a fascinating panel discussion among Australian authors Alison Evans, Jordi Kerr and Jessica Walton. We reflected on the authors’ own experiences of libraries as queer-identified young people, and discussed LGBTQIA+ writing in current Australian young adult (YA) fiction. Alison Evans recalled their

School library spotlight: Trinity Grammar School, Sydney

By Courtney Nolan, Stefanie Gaspari

Issue 116, Term 1 2021

iver innovative library services and promote a positive reading culture at Trinity Grammar School, Sydney. The role has strategic oversight for three libraries – the Arthur Holt Library at our Senior School, the Junior School Library and the Preparatory School Library. Having Courtney to manage the