Softlink conducts fifth Annual School Library Industry Survey

Softlink is inviting school and teacher librarians and library managers across Australia to participate in the 2014 Australian School Library Survey. Click here to participate in the 2014 Australian School Library Survey

Now in its fifth year, the Australian School Library Survey captures information and trends pertinent to the School Library Industry in Australia.

Softlink’s Managing Director, Nathan Godfrey, said that the survey gathered information on budgets and resourcing, knowledge and content delivery methods and preferred practices.

‘The survey results provide a benchmark for individual schools as well as presenting an industry overview.’

 Softlink commenced the survey in 2010 to represent the school library industry and advocate the value of school librarians in the 2010 Australian Parliamentary Inquiry into School Libraries and Teacher Librarians.

 ‘The survey continues to ensure that current and accurate information is available to position school libraries as the valuable knowledge, content and learning centres that they are,’ Nathan said.

 The 2014 survey will continue to map the relationship between literacy levels and library funding through NAPLAN results.

‘Since 2010, the survey had revealed a positive link between literacy results and school library resourcing levels,’ Nathan said.

Findings from past reports have been used to represent the industry in the Australian Parliament, and in discussions with federal and state government and education department decision makers.

Results are also reported by the Australian School Library Association (ASLA), the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) as well as other Australian state and international library associations.

Findings from the 2014 Australian School Library Survey will be provided to participating schools, industry groups and government departments in late 2014.

‘We welcome all Australian school librarians and library managers to participate in this year’s survey, to ensure their voice is heard and to maintain a high level of industry representation.”

Schools wishing to participate in the 2014 School Library Survey can submit their responses online at 2014 Australian School Library Survey