Dr Kay Oddone, Lecturer, Course Director Master of Education (Teacher Librarianship), Charles Sturt University

Constellations of Practice: Recentering the School Library with Purpose and Possibility

School libraries are constellations of practice: linking people, ideas and possibilities across the shifting landscape of education. In a time of uncertainty, where school leadership support is uneven, the pressure to do more is unrelenting, and recognition is often absent, the school library and its staff continue to bring coherence, connection and care for both students, teachers and the school community.

This presentation invites participants to recentre their professional vision—not through reinvention, but by recognising the power of what already exists. Using the Know–Do–Be model as a reflective lens, we will explore how school library professionals already hold the knowledge, lead the practices and embody the values that sustain inclusive, future-focused and community-connected learning.

Rather than calling for more effort, this session surfaces practical, achievable shifts—through thoughtful learning design, ethical technology use, and responsive programming—that build capacity without burnout. Anchored in research and real-world examples, the presentation reminds us that school library staff are stars - present, persistent, and guiding the way forward even when they go unnoticed. Attendees will leave with fresh clarity, restored energy and renewed confidence in their role—not as outliers, but as essential connectors in the learning constellation of their school.

Darlene Hill, Head of Department – Humanities and Library, Kepnock State High School

It Takes a Village: Building Student Capability Through Cross-Sector Library Partnerships

In an era where information literacy and community engagement are more vital than ever, collaboration between school, public, and state libraries offers a powerful catalyst for building student capability and confidence. This presentation explores a dynamic partnership between Kepnock State High School, Bundaberg Regional Council Library, and the State Library of Queensland, showcasing how cross-sector collaboration can transform teaching and learning.

This session will share case studies, student feedback, and curriculum examples that demonstrate the impact of integrated library partnerships. Attendees will gain practical strategies for initiating and sustaining similar partnerships in their own regions, with a focus on aligning library programs with curriculum goals and building enduring community connections.

Ultimately, It Takes a Village celebrates the collective power of school, public, and state libraries working together to empower the next generation of learners.

Fiona Philip, Head of Library and Learning Services, Anglican Church Grammar School

When the Internet Eats Itself: Teaching Truth in the Age of AI Slop

As AI reshapes how information is created, shared, and trusted, the need for critical information literacy has never been greater. This session examines the pivotal role of teacher librarians in helping schools navigate a world of AI slop, misinformation, and disinformation. Participants will explore practical strategies for teaching lateral reading, source verification, and critical AI literacy—skills that empower students to question, evaluate, and create information responsibly. Together we’ll consider how the foundations of truth, credibility, and authorship are under pressure—and what it means to prepare students for informed participation in an AI-mediated world.

Jessica Finden, Teacher Librarian, Carmel College

AI Agents and the Lone Librarian

Working solo in a school library can be isolating, but it doesn’t have to be. This session explores how AI agents can become powerful collaborators for library staff, who often work independently. Discover practical ways AI can support planning, resource curation, communication, and innovation, helping you do more with less and transform your library into a dynamic, responsive hub for your school community.

Ela Sircelj, Library Manager, Loreto Kirribilli

Reigniting Passion, Renewing Purpose: The Power of Personal Inspiration in Building Stronger School Libraries.”

Building capacity in school libraries begins with the people who bring them to life. For many long-serving librarians, sustaining passion and purpose over decades can be both a privilege and a challenge.

This presentation explores how non-teaching librarians contribute to the heart of school life through academic support, reading advocacy, and community engagement, and how rediscovering joy in the role can revitalise both individual practice and the library’s wider impact. Drawing on real examples from my experience - including organising guest author visits with Markus Zusak, Tristan Bancks, Morris Gleitzman; hosting Breakfast with Books, Great Book Swap, and Write a Book in a Day events; supporting student wellbeing and life skills programs; and curating inclusive collections - I will illustrate how non-teaching librarians quietly build the learning capacity of entire school communities.

Participants will leave with practical strategies and reflective prompts to:

• Recognise their own role in capacity building within the school library ecosystem.

• Identify sources of inspiration and renewal to sustain long-term professional wellbeing.

• Reignite their enthusiasm for library work after many years in the same environment.

Lily Young, Leader of Learning and Teaching (Library), Trinity Grammar School

The Power of A Podcast in Building a PLN

In a fast-moving educational landscape, staying connected and inspired can be a challenge, especially for school library professionals working in specialised or isolated roles. This session explores how podcasts can serve as powerful tools for professional learning, reflection, and community building. Drawing on over 20 years of experience as a teacher and library leader, Lily will share insights into how educators are using podcasts not just to consume information, but to create meaningful networks of practice. Participants will leave with practical strategies for curating and integrating podcasts into their own professional learning, as well as ideas for contributing their voices to the conversation.

Barbara McGuigan, Teacher Librarian, Bourke High School

The Magic of Reading: Making Reading Fun

Working in a school where low literacy levels and numerous barriers make it challenging to inspire a love of reading, promoting reading is a central part of my daily work. I’ve learned that it’s not enough to simply promote individual books; we need to celebrate the joy and habit of reading itself across the whole school community.

This has led me to implement a variety of initiatives—ranging from quick and easy activities to more complex and time-intensive projects—all aimed at one goal: encouraging just one more student to pick up one more book and read one more page.

In this session, I will share the practical strategies and tools I’ve used to make reading a more engaging and accessible activity for all students.

Trish Templeton, Assistant Head of Innovation – Literacies, St Laurence's College

The Language of Learning: Vocabulary, Literacy, and the Power of the Library

Vocabulary is more than just word knowledge—it’s the foundation for deeper thinking, richer comprehension, and academic success across all learning areas. In this session, Trish explores how explicit vocabulary instruction, embedded in student-centred and inquiry-based learning, can significantly enhance reading comprehension and support disciplinary literacy in subjects such as science, health, and the humanities. Grounded in the work of Vygotsky, this session highlights the social nature of learning, and the importance of scaffolding is for student learning. Drawing on Halliday’s theory of language as a social semiotic, Trisha demonstrates how genre-based pedagogy and purposeful vocabulary instruction help students access, interpret, and produce increasingly complex texts.

As a teacher librarian, Trisha showcases how libraries play a pivotal role in this process—curating rich, diverse resources; fostering collaborative planning; and creating literacy-rich environments that support vocabulary development across the curriculum. Through classroom evidence and resource-based strategies, attendees will gain practical tools and adaptable approaches to position vocabulary as a cornerstone of both literacy and learning.

Virginia Hand, Teacher Librarian, Shellharbour Anglican College

Reigniting Reading Through Student Choice and Teacher–Librarian Collaboration: Literature Circles and Socratic Seminars in a Global Issues Unit

Engaging adolescents in reading is not just about fostering literacy, it is about igniting curiosity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning. Adolescent reading engagement remains a key priority in contemporary education, and recent research highlights that when students are provided with voice, choice, and authentic opportunities to connect with texts and one another, their motivation and engagement increase. Literature circles and Socratic discussions are identified as effective strategies that promote deeper comprehension, critical thinking, and intrinsic motivation—key factors that underpin engaged reading and lifelong literacy development (Webber et al., 2023). By implementing these strategies, educators can foster a culture of curiosity and enjoyment while equipping students with the skills to think critically, communicate effectively, and take ownership of their learning.

Trish Trchala, Head of Learning Resources, Xavier College

Reading Lounges and Sustained Reading

After developing two reading lounges in the past 12 months, it can be seen how a change within a Library Space can alter the reading behaviour of students. Mr Sloth's Rainforest Reading Lounge for Year 3-6 and Sunny's Storyland for K3-Year 2 are examples of a new approach. Utilising Marketplace and a tight budget students are evolving into a new way of reading for pleasure in these spaces. Hear about new ideas within Junior and Senior School Libraries where sustained reading is the priority.

Sharyn Pratap, Teacher Librarian, St Paul’s Lutheran Primary School

Avoiding the Single Story: Including Culturally Diverse Texts in our Libraries and Classrooms

This workshop will focus on the importance of curating a library collection with diverse cultural resources. It will explore a range of culturally diverse texts, the reasons for including these texts, and the value this adds to school libraries and curriculum delivery. Throughout this workshop, participants will explore the research supporting the inclusion of culturally diverse texts. Practical examples will be given to support teachers and librarians to integrate these texts into the everyday classroom. A range of resources will be on display as examples and as a starting point for collection development.