I was reading through the current edition of ACCESS by the Australian School Library Association (ASLA) and read a feature prepared by Gold Coast school student Annie Rogers, who presented a student perspective on the role of school libraries.
It was well written and should be read by all library staff because it even has strategies that can improve our engagement with students. Many of us already incorporate them on a daily basis, including being approachable and welcoming, walking around the library to encourage students to approach you, providing clubs and activities, greeting students as they enter and mentioning that you are there to help. It also aids with building a rapport, and the students appreciate it when you either greet or farewell them.
Also, Rogers, mentions that the library has impacted on her as a learner but in her life as well. Such testimonies are great to share, and our challenge is to identify examples in our schools and day-to-day work where the library has made a good impact on our students. It can become an advocacy tool.
