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What a whirlwind Term 3 has been, so much so that we decided to roll September and October's newsletters into one! In this bumper issue, we've got a great interview with WA Library Officer, Laura Mostert and an insight into author and illustrator Serena Geddes' creative practice. Let us know if you would like to feature in the newsletter, or would love us to feature a specific author. Happy reading!
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WE NEED YOU!
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We are looking for new members to join the ALIA Schools Special Interest Group and a new co-ordinator of our Continuing Professional Development. Could this be you??? Email our convener to find out more!
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There is still time to register for our upcoming webinar AI in Education: navigating the perfect storm. In today's 'information perfect storm,' we are faced with unprecedented access to information, blurred lines between fact and opinion, and the rapid content generation enabled by generative AI technologies. Guest speaker, Dr Kay Oddone (Lecturer and Course Director MEd. Teacher Librarianship, Charles Sturt University) will explore how this current information landscape influences students and teachers, by focusing on the impact of generative AI and the skills needed for navigating this environment. Register here.
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SPOTLIGHT ON: LAURA MOSTERT
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How did you end up working in school libraries?
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When my daughter started Kindy, I wanted a job that would suit school hours, so I started volunteering in the school library. My passion was always reading and books, so it made sense. I was mentored back in 2012 as a volunteer by a lovely very respected lady in the local community, Jill Winstone, who had worked for many years in school libraries. When she retired I was offered her position and never left!
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Tell us a bit about your role and school.
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I am a Library Officer employed with WA Department of Education at Australind Primary School, about 20 kms north of Bunbury. We have under 200 students and I work two days every week and have done quite a bit of library relief at other schools over the years too.
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What is your most successful program or event in the Library?
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I would say the most successful in terms of benefits for the school is our Scholastic Book Fair. As a small school, we always have so much support with book sales which in turn means we have a percentage of our sales to spend on some NEW BOOKS!!
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Adding to that our National Simultaneous Storytime and Annual CBCA Book Week and dress-up day are high on the list and always promote reading in such a fun way!
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What are you reading at the moment?
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I absolutely love Alexander McCall Smith’s: No1 Ladies Detective Agency Series. I started at the first novel and every year he brings out a new one around September and I just keep on reading… the series is like getting a big cheerful hug from Africa!!
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I love libraries because...
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They are peaceful places to be, with books wrapping around us in every direction. Being in a primary school library gives me the opportunity to instill a love for reading in young children and hope that it grows every year right on into adulthood.
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It gives me such a feeling of job satisfaction to see excitement on the face of a child when they enter the doors of the library, I’m in my happy place!
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CREATIVE CHAT WITH: SERENA GEDDES
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Tell us a little bit about yourself.
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Hello! My name is Serena, and I’m a Sydney-based author and illustrator. I spend my days doodling, sketching, and creating some highly successful picture books and series, including Lulu Bell, Mia Megastar, and Howzat Pat!
My illustration journey began in 2009, and over the years, I’ve developed my style from traditional watercolour and pencil art to digital artwork. I love my job, working with some pretty amazing authors and illustrators. Yet, growing up, I never really knew what I wanted to do. I wasn’t a strong reader, and you’d often find me doodling ideas from my imagination or reading my brother’s comic collection.
At the time, I didn’t realise I was a visual learner; getting lost in images allowed me to experience stories in a different way. Now, as an adult, I love reading stories and collaborating with talented authors. It’s a joy to share my drawings and stories with young readers and adults just like you. I’m currently illustrating my first graphic novel, Ella Forever, which will be released in May 2025.
Oh, and I have a gorgeous Havanese who’s my constant companion, though not the best writing buddy—he sleeps all day! And once upon a time, I even worked for Walt Disney Studios right here in Sydney!
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How did you become an illustrator of picture books?
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Becoming an illustrator of picture books felt like an accident at the time, but sometimes things happen just when they’re meant to, even if we don’t realize it.
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I was working in an office when my job suddenly ended—just like that! I decided to seize the opportunity and sent 12 pages of my drawings to every publisher I could find. If I came across a book that matched my style, I’d note down the publisher’s name and send them my work. In total, I reached out to about 35 different publishing houses, believing all I needed was one ‘yes'. A small publishing house offered me that chance. I illustrated several books with them, using the experience to build my skills and portfolio before approaching larger publishers.
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Fifteen years later, I’ve illustrated over seventy books with top publishing houses in Australia and overseas. My work in picture books has opened doors to illustrating comics for The School Magazine, creating artwork collaborations for schools, designing commemorative certificates for the Matildas and Socceroos, and speaking at many amazing festivals—all stemming from my start as a picture book illustrator.
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Who are your favourite illustrators and authors?
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I have many favourites, but Raina Telgemeier comes to mind, especially as I venture into the exciting world of graphic novels. I love her style and stories, they are so relatable.
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Can you walk us through what one of your author visits would look like?
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An author/illustrator visit always starts with getting a sense of what the students are interested in. I have several books out, like Mia Megastar, Howzat Pat, and We Are Matildas, so the workshop is tailored to the age group I’m speaking to. For older students, I enjoy sharing the journey of my recent book projects, including time-lapse videos and insights into my illustration process.
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I also love teaching how to draw characters, and my workshops usually end with students creating their own pen drawings. If I can inspire young students to find joy in creating—whether through writing or illustrating—then my job is done. 😄
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How important do you think school libraries have in a student’s world?
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School libraries play a crucial role in a student's world. They’re spaces where curiosity is nurtured, and the love of learning is fostered. Libraries provide access to a wide range of resources, encouraging students to explore different subjects, develop critical thinking skills, and discover new interests. It's certainly the place I go to ignite my imagination and get lost in the world of stories.
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Trends and challenges
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The 2024 Softlink School Library Survey is open. Whether your school uses Softlink or not, it is a great opportunity to share your insight, experiences and knowledge to help build a comprehensive view of the trends and challenges facing school libraries in Australia.
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ALIA: Your voice matters
The ALIA Membership Survey 2024 is live! Have your day on advocacy, training, and services that library and information staff need and help ALIA help you!
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