Engaging Reluctant Readers - SLANSW Webinar (February 2025)

The School Library Associaton of NSW (SLANSW), commenced its monthly webinar series this week. The theme was Practical ways to engage reluctant readers and featured contributions from Allison Tait (Author), Jade Arnold (NSW Premier’s Program Officer – Reading and Spelling) & Amanda Craig (Teacher Librarian - Telarah Public School)

I attended because I facilitate a READ group at school for students in Years' 10-12 that struggle to actively participate in the daily 20 minute session, where all students engage a time of silent reading, and wanted to be informed of some strategies applied to by others to encourage reluctant readers to add to my "tool kit".

I know two other READ groups that provide additional support to students in my school, and I should invite those groups to borrow during READ time. I have a small group already, and with my session in the library, I can open up the space to invite groups to borrow during that time and provide the opportunities that my group has access to, such as the lounges and beanbags to encourage them to relax. This would support the suggestion to make all students in a class borrow a book, unless there is a book of their own that interests them.

Reading goals are essential as well to encourage reluctant readers. I applied this strategy with general class groups e.g Litgym at MLC School (2014), but should use this to both groups as well. It has worked for me with regular groups and I cannot see why it would fail with both groups.

Book labels also arose, and I didn't realise the impact they could have on reluctant readers, given that genre labels can guide students in selecting related texts or reading particular stories that interest them. I have been involved in the setup at my school. While it has consumed time and resources, it is a good investment, even if it's not a financial one because my goal is to have students borrowing and reading books that interest them. If students borrow and read more, I will be happy, and feedback from the wider student body will be favourable to date. 

Improving Graphic Novel Collections in schools

In the latest issue of INCITE magazine by ALIA (Australian Library and Information Association), I read a case study on Barker College Library’s efforts to expand and update its graphic novel and manga collections. In 2024, the library undertook a review to ensure those collections align with student interests and to encourage diverse reading experiences. The process involved forming a committee, gathering data and consulting students. 

As a result, they made informed decisions to refresh displays, shorten loan periods (two weeks to one week) and introduce new, age-appropriate titles.  

One of the changes implemented by Barker College has been reducing the loan period from two weeks to one week. At my school, graphic novels are loaned for two weeks, and to encourage greater engagement with graphic novels, I should consider whether a shorter loan period would work for them.

Selecting age-appropriate manga is a challenge that confronts school libraries. While manga titles have a rating system, some of the themes may not be consistent with the rating, so it does need to be scrutinised. It also needs to align with the values and ethos of the school, whether it is a public or private school. 

End of 2024

This is my last entry for 2024. I have found it challenging to post new entries, trying to stick to fornightly posts as much as possible, but other matters, whether they are workplace or personal take over. I actually had begun compiling a list of topics to discuss to keep me motivated. Fortunately, I will have ideas that I can hopefully bring to fruition in 2025.

It is now December, and this year with my colleague and the library prefects have organised Christmas activities for students.

Fortuantely at my school, we are able to have decorations hung in the library, particularly on our annexe room, entrance and circulation desk. Within the school itself, the faculties and departments all compete against each other to produce the best Christmas display or best door (faculty staffroom).

Last Friday, we organised simple art and craft themed activities our library annexe, which had a good turnout. We also organised a soundtrack of Christmas carols and songs to add some atmosphere. I was encouraged by the attendance, that another two days of Christmas activities are planned to finish off the week.

This week, we had our annual presentation day at the Sydney Opera House. During the ceremony, nine students were presented with their NSW Premier's Reading Challenge (PRC) medals under a special awards category, which acknowledges student achievements that would not fall under traditional categories such as academic, endowed and sports awards. It is a rare privilege for someone to earn a medal for the PRC and have it presented on one of the finest stages in the world, and its right here in our city.

My challenge is to get more students up on stage with medals next year, provided that the medals reach the school in time. A big thanks to PRC organisers for ensuring that the medals made it to my school on time. 

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.

Devices eroding teens' reading attention (Newspaper feature)

Recently, The Sydney Morning Herald published a feature on the 2024 What Kids Are Reading Report by Renaissance Education, based on data from the Accelerated Reader Program, used by 440 schools across Australia.

Source: Harris, C. 2024. "Devices eroding teens' reading attention. The Sydney Morning Herald, October 26: 9. 

A table towards the top right of the article lists the top 20 books read by students in Years 9 to 12. While the number of books read by students has increased, concerns were raised about the difficulty of reading texts—students opting for easier rather than more challenging reads.

Diana Wing (Renaissance Education Australia) attributes this to a preference for social media and, hence, a preference for literature that does not require sustained focus. 

The challenge for me, as a Teacher Librarian, and for every Teacher Librarian, is to encourage and provide access to more challenging texts that require a more sustained focus. This adds to the challenge of just getting a person to read.

The second half of the article focuses on the role of school libraries in advocating for reading. Author Andy Griffiths stated that "libraries were essential to building a school's reading culture and ensuring that students, teachers and parents had access to and knowledge of a panoply of books". 

The Carter Centre - Atlanta

In January, I had the opportunity to visit The Carter Centre in Atlanta. It is not just a Presidential Library and museum in honour of US President Jimmy Carter (1977-1981) but also a venue that can be used for diplomatic purposes, e.g., countries at war could hold peace talks there. There is even parkland that one can spend hours exploring or just relaxing in.

The Carter Centre is also home to the organisation of the same name, advocating peace and diplomacy worldwide. They will even monitor and assist in the delivery of elections in nations around the world.

Below are some photos I took in the museum.

Like other Presidential Libraries, you must make an appointment to use the library for research.

Click here to find out more about the Presidential Library and Museum.

The Carter.Centre also includes a public park, open to the public during daylight hours.