Research
ALIA Schools
Featured research
We endeavour to provide Open Access evidence based research. Some articles may need to be accessed through your State Library.
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...