The Australian School Libraries Research Project

Future Directions

The Australian School Library Project is anticipated to become an ongoing research venture that will stretch beyond the initial MOU agreed upon by the current partners.

Stage One will consist of the current surveys:

• Survey 1: Australian School Libraries – State of the nation; and
• Survey 2: Australian School Library Personnel and roles

It will provide up-to-date data about the state of school libraries across Australia and the role of library personnel that will inform the development of a national advocacy strategy.

Stage Two will involve:

• an analysis of the Stage One data and the National Literacy test data (Commonwealth Government); and
• possible links between well resourced and staffed school libraries and student achievement and maintenance of literacy outcomes.

Data from stage two will enable the further development of the national advocacy strategy.

Stage Three will involve:

• another national data collection to determine whether significant changes have been occurred; and
• a further research agenda (to be decided).