24 May 2011

School libraries A for passion but funding must improve

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The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education and Employment Inquiry into School Libraries has tabled their final report and the Australian School Library Association (ASLA) and Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) say there’s serious effort ahead for both governments and the profession.

ALIA Executive Director Sue Hutley said the 11 recommendations mark the start of a new stage of advocacy to improve school libraries and support for teacher librarians.

“We welcome the tabling of this report during Australian Library and Information Week,” Ms Hutley said.

“We are pleased the Committee recognised so well the passion and enthusiasm of teacher librarians for their work and the increasing need for their skills in equipping young Australians with the essential tools in literacy that will help them throughout life, but now we need real support to ensure they can keep delivering those services,” she said.

Both ASLA and ALIA remain concerned and disappointed that a stronger position was not adopted for the staffing of school libraries and the need to address the supply of teacher librarians through re-training programs.

“In the context of the recommendations, and the subsequent outcomes when implemented, there will continue to be an escalation in the shortage of qualified personnel to undertake the specialist tasks,” Karen Bonanno, Executive Officer of the Australian School Library Association, said.

“The time for a “national dialogue” to examine the adequacy of pathways into the profession is too late,” she said.

“The dialogue with MCEECDYA should have happened when the decision was made to undertake the BER roll out of over 3,000 new and refurbished school libraries. The government is now in catch up mode to address the ‘long tail’ of the capital investment.”

ASLA and ALIA both commended the Committee on presenting a balanced report that captures a full picture of the state of school libraries and teacher librarianship in Australia schools.

“The recommendations address the issues our teacher librarians need addressed,” Ms Bonanno said.

“Significant outcomes for the future of young Australians can be achieved if these recommendations are taken up by the Federal Government. School libraries will be able to provide access to quality online resources and teacher librarians will be acknowledge as significant contributors to the development of multiple literacy capabilities in students,” she said.

ENDS