Library services facilitate learning and literacy.  Well integrated library services delivered by talented library staff support schools’ achievement goals.

We have produced four videos showcasing excellence in school libraries and learning facilitation in New Zealand.

School Libraries: Excellence in Practice Viscount Primary School

School Libraries: Excellence in Practice. Ormiston Senior College

School Libraries: Excellence in Practice. Amesbury School

School Libraries: Excellence in Practice. Raroa Intermediate

School Library - the heart of a reading culture. Hurupaki school

Creating a reading culture - Matarau School

School librarians bring pedagogical order and harmony to a multi-media clutter of information by crafting challenging learning opportunities, in collaboration with classroom teachers and other learning specialists, to help learners use the virtual world, as well as the traditional information sources, to prepare for living, working and life-long learning in the 21st Century.” Ross Todd and Carol Gordon 2010.

What will be the role of knowledge professionals of the future in facilitating student learning?

There is a vast body of research which shows the tremendous value of school librarians on learning outcomes. Librarian- teacher collaboration as a powerful positive factor on learning is clearly identified in studies such as Lance Curry’s Powerful libraries make powerful learners. In analysing 657 schools and their learning outcomes ( measured by standardised tests) a key factor differentiating the top 25 from the bottom 25 schools was library staff spending significantly more time collaborating with teachers: planning, team teaching, providing in-service and teaching information literacy. These results were found to be valid regardless of other factors such as: “household income, per pupil spending, teacher-pupil ration, or students’ race/ethnicity”

Ideas that we will continue to explore include:

• What does the school community need in terms of expertise and resourcing to maximise learning facilitation via the school library environment?
• What are the opportunities for weaving the school librarian into the fabric of school learning?
• In the changing landscape of learning and information what is necessary for school libraries and librarians to remain valid and relevant?

We will look at research in libraries, learning, brain research and related areas. We will look at evidence of learning facilitation in libraries.