Online advice on managing and developing your school library

You can download a wide range of current advice on aspects of developing your school library.

Click here for a full list of guides, worked examples of documents, and blank templates.

If you are planning to build or refurbish your school library, explore the Image Gallery for inspiration. You can search under specific features, or enjoy a virtual tour.

We offer a wealth of ideas on how your library can support the literacy programme in your school, and create a reading culture among your students.

Your library team can play a key role in supporting inquiry learning. Find out more about 21st Century literacy and inquiry, and how your library can play an important part.

We offer advice on how to create culturally inclusive library environments, that meet the learning needs of Māori students.

Back to top

0800 LIB LINE for advisory support

Get advice on school library development through our free 0800 number and email service.

The 0800 LIB LINE advisory service provides support and answers to your questions on any aspect of school library development.

The service is staffed from Monday to Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

We welcome your feedback, questions, and suggestions. Please pass on your ideas via the 0800 LIB LINE (0800 542 5463)

You can also email us at schoollibraryadvice@natlib.govt.nz

Back to top

Library advice - a national service

School Library Advisory Services offer support and advice on all aspects of school library development and management. We support literacy and learning through professional development and targeted programmes working with principals, teachers and school library staff. Library Advisers are located throughout New Zealand. For an immediate response to your request for advice, first call 0800 LIB LINE (0800 532 5463).

Library Advisers can help you with information and advice on all aspects of school library management and development, including:

• How your school library can support literacy development in your school
• How your school library might contribute to information literacy or support inquiry learning
• Immediate support, and information on professional development opportunities for members of your school library team, as well as for classroom or subject teachers
• Professional advice on how to develop your library's collection to meet the needs of the students in your school - a mix of print and online resources
• Advice on providing the best access to your library's resources through an online catalogue
• Professional input into library building or refurbishment projects
• Advice on ICT developments in information access

Professional Development Programme - a national approach

Services to Schools offers a comprehensive professional development programme to educators and school library staff to build skills to support literacy and learning. Courses are run nationally throughout the year. To find courses in a town near you, browse the Professional Development Programme 2010

Guidelines for school Library development

The publication, jointly produced by the Ministry of Education and the National Library of New Zealand (2002) The School library and learning in the information landscape: guidelines for New Zealand Schools  provides a framework of six guiding principles for school library development

Contact a School Library Adviser

To find out how to contact your nearest School Library Adviser, phone 0800 542 5463 or email schoollibraryadvice@natlib.govt.nz

Back to top

Back to About