The aims are simple:
- Every school should provide access to high-quality library resources and services.
- That school libraries are staffed by qualified professionals, led by a teacher librarian.
It also advocates that each school should appoint a teacher librarian as equip students with skills essential for lifelong learning including:
- Research Skills
- Cybersafety
- Information Literacy Skills
- Instilling a love of reading
The campaign has resulted from Australia's ranking falling in educational standards against OECD nations. Some schools have neglected the role of libraries as part of the learning process, questioning their relevance. Concerns have also been raised over staffing of school libraries i.e. unqualified staff or not appointing teacher librarians, which has meant that students are missing out on opportunities to develop skills required for lifelong learning.
The website for the Students Need School Libraries campaign can be accessed here.
