[LM_NET] Commonwealt Govt of Aust - Inquiry into school libraries and teacher librarians in Australian schools

[Barbara COMBES <b.combes@ECU.EDU.AU>]

Hi Everyone, Just a reminder to get your submission in - I know it is school 
holidays, but please try to get as many teachers and parents to participate as 
well. International colleagues, your submission is also vital. Send your submission 
to
edt.reps@aph.gov.au
The following has been put together by members of the WASLA/AISWA Committees to 
help get you started - they address the reference points put up by the Inquiry. I 
urge everyone to put in a submission so our vocies are heard loud and clear. My 
thanks and school children/students everywhere thank you.
:) BC
Reference point 1: the impact of recent policies and investments on school 
libraries and their activities

Policies for the improvement of library infrastructure and buildings ignores the 
issues of professional staff:
*       to organise and maintain the library (physical and virtual spaces);
*       who provide access to a range of sufficient resources that cater for 
different reading levels, curriculum areas and learning styles;
*       who develop curriculum with teachers which integrates a range of resources 
such as online, print and audio; and
*       who can provide access to quality virtual resources for curriculum programs.

Reference point 2: the future potential of school libraries and librarians to 
contribute to improved educational and community outcomes, especially literacy

Note: professional staff in school libraries must be Teacher Librarians. Teacher 
Librarians have a teaching qualification plus experience in the classroom, as well 
as a postgraduate qualification that is an entry level into the profession of 
Information Science (Librarianship). As trained teachers TLs are able to:
*       communicate and design curriculum programs with teachers which incorporate 
a range of resourse formats; and
*       fulfil the duty of care requirements as stated in the Education Act.

As Information Specialists, TLs:
*       provide access quality digital resources which support curriculum and 
students learning outcomes;
*       design programs which train students in the effective, efficient and 
appropriate use of digital resources.

Research which irrefutably supports the value TLs bring to academic programs and 
student learning include the importance of school libraries - research 
(http://www.chs.ecu.edu.au/portals/ASLRP/links-schoollib.php)

Reference point 3: the factors influencing recruitment and development of school 
librarians

*       Currently there is a shortage of qualified Teacher Librarians in schools 
across Australia.
*       This is an aging population with grave issues associated with succession 
planning and sustainability.
*       This is a time when information and the globalisation of economies means 
that the average citizen must have graduated secondary level education with some 
information literacy skills, if they are going to be able to participate in the 
information economy.
*       Only three institutions currently prepare TLs in recognised Graduate 
Diploma and Masters Level courses - Charles Stuart University, Edith Cowan 
University and Queensland University of Technology.
*       Hence many schools have libraries which are run by library technicians, and 
library officers or parents who are not qualified to provide the educational 
components.

More information: The Australian School Libraries Project 
(http://www.chs.ecu.edu.au/portals/ASLRP/publications.php)

Reference point 4: the role of different levels of government and local communities 
and other institutions in partnering with and supporting school librarians

A contact person who works across the curriculum and has a detailed knowledge of 
information services and resources is required for the effective communication and 
establishment of links between various levels of government and other institutions 
when supporting school communities. Teacher Librarians:
*       operate within a highly pro-active professional community and respond to 
and create links with the public library sector (urban and rural), the Telecentre 
network (rural and remote), and provide information services for the school 
community, including teachers, administration and parents and citizens;
*       such links allow for the maximum use of public information utilities and 
equity of access for all students and their parents;
*       provide programs which assist students in the transition from primary to 
secondary school and secondary to tertiary studies; and
*       assist in the development of literacy programs for ESL students and their 
parents.

Reference point 5: the impact and potential of digital technologies to enhance and 
support the roles of school libraries and librarians

Digital technologies as evidenced by the Federal Government's computers for all 
students program, does not include training for teachers or students. In schools it 
is the Teacher Librarian who provides:
*       specialist knowledge, support and professional development training for 
staff in how to use and embed digital technologies into curriculum;
*       the management of technologies for equitable access;
*       the infrastructure and policy development required for acceptable and 
appropriate use of a wide range of digital resources and technologies, including 
cyberbullying, privacy, identity theft and security of information;
*       the educational rationale for the effective inclusion of digital 
technologies in the curriculum;
*       equal access to a range of digital resources and delivery formats which 
support the development of high quality literacy programs in schools.

Research which indiactes that members of the Net Generation are not tech-savvy and 
do not have the skills to navigate the digital economy - 
http://www.slav.schools.net.au/synergy/vol7num1/coombes.pdf

Recommendations: All schools from primary school through to secondary (K-12) school 
should have a range of professional (teacher librarians), para professional 
(Library Technicians) and clerical staff in their school libraries. The library 
should be the focus of learning and curriculum development in the school.

President WA Operations, WASLA, http://www.wasla.asn.au/
Vice President, Advocacy & Promotion, IASL: www.iasl-online.org
The GiggleIT Project: www.iasl-online.org/sla/giggleIT/index.htm

InfoScience Seminars: http://www.scss.ecu.edu.au/seminars/infosci/index.php
Australian School Library Research Project: www.chs.ecu.edu.au/portals/ASLRP/
Barbara Combes, Lecturer
School of Computer and Security Science Edith Cowan University, Perth Western 
Australia
Ph: (08) 9370 6072
Email: b.combes@ecu.edu.au

"Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an 
ignorant nation." Walter Cronkite

This email is confidential and intended only for the use of the individual or 
entity named above. If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that 
any dissemination, distribution or copying of this email is strictly prohibited.  
If you have received this email in error, please notify me immediately by return 
email or telephone and destroy the original message.



  ________________________________
This e-mail is confidential. If you are not the intended recipient you must not 
disclose or use the information contained within. If you have received it in error 
please return it to the sender via reply e-mail and delete any record of it from 
your system. The information contained within is not the opinion of Edith Cowan 
University in general and the University accepts no liability for the accuracy of 
the information provided.

CRICOS IPC 00279B

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
  You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
  by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, you send a message to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER:
1) SIGNOFF LM_NET
2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL
4) SET LM_NET DIGEST

 * LM_NET Help & Information: http://lmnet.wordpress.com/
 * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
 * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm-net.info/join.html
 * LM_NET Supporters: http://lmnet.wordpress.com/category/links/el-announce/
 * LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/

--------------------------------------------------------------------