Softlink School Library Survey - 2024

Softlink is currently undertaking its annual school library survey involving school libraries in Australia and New Zealand.

Click here to access the survey.

I would strongly recommend to my colleagues working in school libraries that they take ten minutes to undertake this survey. When the results are compiled, they will be a useful advocacy tool not just for your school library but also for other school libraries. The survey may also give you ideas on how to improve your library space and what you offer, as it provides a forum for school libraries to share what ideas have worked best for them.

The survey closes on November 30.

Ideas for Collaboration

Last year,  I took some time to reflect on how I collaborate with my colleagues as a Teacher Librarian and to seek possible ideas on how I could better collaborate in my practice.

Softlink consulted Teacher Librarians on this topic and published their results online.

It is a resource that I would recommend for new teacher librarians who may not be sure about how they can collaborate. Even for the experienced, it might stimulate some new ideas or in my situation, reflect on our practice.

Library Maps - Easy As

I was asked to do a map of the new library this week and place this on OLIVER. I'm no CAD expert (software you can use to make maps) but I decided to do it on Microsoft Word.

I could not believe that even though it takes a bit of time to draw it (using shapes to represent shelves etc) it was straightforward.

After converting the map to a jpeg file, I then placed markers using the Softlink software in which to do so. I tested it with a few titles using the OPAC and could not believe the accuracy of the markers in determining a books location.

I have to admit that the map feature is probably one of the most underutilised features of OLIVER & the OPAC because it can tell someone where a book can be found and this cuts out the time searching through many shelves.

It will even tell you too if the book is on loan through the map as well (and if you forgot to read the "status" listing!!!

Given we are at a new location, the students and teachers will need to rely on that map. I hope it helps them and I will aim to encourage them to make use of come the time they want to borrow a resource.

I've retained a copy of the word version because if the layout changes, I can move the shelves etc to reflect those changes. The shelving itself is largely movable especially those for the DVD collection. Some shelves are fixed but whats on them can change easily.

I'm looking forward to drawing some more library maps in the future!!!