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ALIA/ASLA policy on school libraries and information and communication technologies

Joint policy of Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and Australian School Library Association (ASLA)

Purpose

To describe the role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in school libraries and their impact on the delivery and use of information and communication services.

ALIA objects addressed

To promote and improve the free flow of information and ideas in the interest of all Australians and a thriving culture, economy and democracy.
To promote and improve the services provided by all kinds of library and information agencies.
To ensure the high standard of personnel engaged in information provision and foster their professional interests and aspirations.

ASLA objectives addressed

Establish, review and maintain national standards and guidelines for school library resource services.

Promote an understanding of the aims, needs and educational significance of school library resource services and teacher librarianship.

Develop, write and publish materials which will promote the development of school library resource services and teacher librarianship.

Principle

Teacher librarians are users, deployers, and advocates of ICTs for effective information delivery in 21st century school communities. Teacher librarians need to acquire the relevant technological expertise and be prepared for the challenging and dynamic nature of ICTs in the realm of teaching and learning.

Statement

Teacher librarians recognise the ubiquitous and transformative role of ICTs in providing access to information both within and beyond the school community. A key focus of school libraries is to ensure equitable access for all school community members to engage in the world of technology-enhanced information environments. School libraries embrace the continual development of new technologies and the opportunities they afford to improve efficiency and increase access to information and recognise the potential to foster lifelong learning, personal learning goals, inform decision-making, build knowledge capacity, innovation, creativity, inquiry and cultural continuity. School library programs are constructed with the knowledge that rapidly changing structures and the complexities of ICTs require learners to acquire and apply a range of multimedia literacies.

Teacher librarians will have the specialised knowledge, skills and attributes to utilise ICTs to: