For the love of libraries - an ALIA Schools podcast

In this episode, Courtney Nolan-McLeod, teacher of Library and Information Services at TAFE NSW, joins Lily from the For the Love of Libraries team to explore how targeted upskilling and community partnerships can breathe new life into under-resourced school libraries. Courtney shares the story behind the Primary School Library Skill Set Short Course, an innovative program developed in partnership with Community Hubs Australia to empower parents in Greater Western Sydney to support their school library. The conversation considers the realities of the decline in library staffing, the power of paraprofessional training, and why getting books into the hands of children must always remain at the heart of what we do.

Further resources

Softlink 2025 School Library Report
IFLA-UNESCO School Library Manifesto (2025)
ALIA ACSL Statement on School Library Staffing
ALIA ACSL Statement on School Library Funding and Resource Provision

Dymocks Children’s Charities – Underfunded school libraries
Landing page for resources and guides relevant to NSW DoE libraries - some links will require a DoE login
Professional development through ALIA, School Library Associations of all states, and SCIS
TAFE NSW Library and Information Services Courses - Certificate IV and Diploma
Community Hubs Australia
Libraries Tasmania -resources for school libraries
ALIA Schools aims to facilitate networking, support, professional development, and resources for the Information sector with a focus on Schools group practice. Subscribe to the ALIA Schools newsletter and keep up to date with professional development opportunities.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Anna Burkey, CEO of Australia Reads, joins Lily from the For the Love of Libraries  team to explore how a national, collaborative approach can strengthen Australia’s reading culture. She shares insights from the Understanding Australian Readers report, focusing on the reading journey, and highlights practical and innovative ways schools can support diverse readers while also addressing challenges around access, equity, and advocacy. The conversation emphasises the importance of visibility, choice, and community partnerships, and introduces the Lit Up program, which brings authors into schools to spark engagement and connection with reading.

Additional links

https://schools.alia.org.au/research/

Children’s and young people’s reading in 2025

Understanding Australian readers: Behavioural insights into recreational reading

Discovering a good read: Exploring book discovery and reading for pleasure among Australian teens

Reading for pleasure: scrutinising the evidence base – benefits, tensions, and recommendations
ALIA Schools aims to facilitate networking, support, professional development, and resources for the Information sector with a focus on Schools group practice. Subscribe to the ALIA Schools newsletter and keep up to date with professional development opportunities.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our first episode, Cathie Warburton, CEO of ALIA, joins Rosie from the For The Love of Libraries team to explore the core values that shape school libraries and the professionals who lead them. Cathie shares her unique path from a career in law to her role at ALIA, emphasising the importance of aligning personal values with professional roles. Together, they discuss the vital contribution that school libraries make to the educational experience of all students and staff, the ongoing challenges in staffing school libraries, and the importance of sustained advocacy to ensure that the value of school libraries is recognised as essential to all schools.

Additional resources
ALIA Schools
ALIA CEO – Cathie Warburton
50 years of ALIA Schools (1964 - 2016)
The history of ALIA
ALIA’s strategic plan
ACSL resources for School Libraries

Further Reading
Dr Margaret K. Merga – Why are teacher librarians an excellent investment in contemporary schools?
Softlink – 2024 Australian School Library Survey
Carol A. Gordon - Making your school library essential: A guide to advocacy for Teacher Librarians
ALIA Schools aims to facilitate networking, support, professional development, and resources for the Information sector with a focus on Schools group practice. Subscribe to the ALIA Schools newsletter and keep up to date with professional development opportunities.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to For The Love of Libraries, the official podcast of the ALIA Schools Special Interest Group.
As Australia's first podcast dedicated to the school library sector, we are here to connect you, inspire your practice, and share the untold stories from the stacks. Discover practical insights and celebrate the vital role of library professionals and educators in making the library the essential heart of every school community.
ALIA Schools aims to facilitate networking, support, professional development, and resources for the Information sector with a focus on Schools group practice. Subscribe to the ALIA Schools newsletter and keep up to date with professional development opportunities.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.