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ALIA Schools Group
Reading and associations with brain health, cognition, well-being, and mental health
Growing recognition of the importance of prevention in mental health has led to increased interest in modifiable lifestyle factors that support brain health, cognition, and well-being. In childhood and adolescence, early reading for pleasure has been linked to better...
Moving in and out of reading: Teens talking about books, digital games, social media and fanfiction
This article examines teens' recreational reading activities as they move between books and digital media. It uses the model of connected reading to understand connections between teen reading practices and digital pastimes. Using focus group data, we draw on...
Interpersonal relationships in Asian immigrant families portrayed in award-nominated young adult novels by Asian Australian authors
Multicultural Australian young adult (YA) novels offer authentic, relatable narratives with themes that connect deeply with adolescent readers. Many multicultural YA authors embody their personal experiences, feature their culture, community and family dynamics in...
School library contributions to student literacy, learning, and well-being: The latest evidence
How does the contemporary school library advance the mission and goals of their school in a rapidly changing, digitally intensive education environment? Drawing on research from around the world published between 2014 and 2023, this chapter presents extensive evidence...
School and public libraries in Australia: Essential connections, then and now
School and public libraries share common goals in serving young community members, but research is sparse investigating how (and if) they work together and their understandings around the roles of the other. This study replicated elements of a 2002 study by Alan Bundy...
2025 Australian School Library Survey Report
Conducted by Softlink on behalf of the school library sector each year since 2010, the Australian School Library Survey provides a national snapshot of the trends, pressures, and opportunities shaping school library services. The 2025 survey captures responses from a...
ALIA ACSL Statement on School Library Funding and Resource Provision
ALIA ACSL Statement on School Library Funding and Resource Provision (PDF) Guidance on the provision of school library funding and resources incorporating staff expertise, facilities, programs and services for the delivery of a quality education. Funding and...
ALIA ACSL Statement on School Library Staffing
ALIA ACSL Statement on School Library Staffing (PDF) Guidance on the formal qualifications required to lead, manage, and work in a school library and to describe and promote the roles of school library staff. Qualified library staff are essential for the effective...
IFLA-UNESCO School Library Manifesto 2025
IFLA-UNESCO School Library Manifesto 2025 The school library programme improves and enhances teaching and learning for the entire school community through its qualified school library professionals and staff, physical and digital collections, spaces and equipment,...
Children and young people’s reading in 2025
Clark, C., Picton, I. & Cole, A. (2025). Children and young people’s reading in 2025. National Literacy Trust https://literacytrust.org.uk/research-services/research-reports/children-and-young-peoples-reading-in-2025/ This...