About For the love of libraries - an ALIA Schools podcast
Bringing together library professionals from all walks of life, For the Love of Libraries will create a space for sharing knowledge, discussing current trends, and exploring how we can all continue to make a positive impact on the educational experience of students and teachers. Created by the ALIA Schools Special Interest Group. (https://schools.alia.org.au/)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
The Little Things – a conversation with Barbara McGuigan
In this episode, Caroline from the FTLoL team chats with Barbara McGuigan, secondary school Teacher Librarian. Working at a small school in Bourke, a remote town in NSW, Barbara's focus on doing 'the little things' in the library highlights how these can make a real difference to students, schools and the wider community. Full of practical tips and tricks, the conversation ranges from advocacy and self-doubt to melody pops! Funny and inspiring, Barabara’s story is a reminder of the impact one teacher librarian can have.
Additional resources
https://www.westwords.com.au/ (https://www.westwords.com.au/)
https://deadlyscience.org.au/ (https://deadlyscience.org.au/)
https://www.ilf.org.au/ (https://www.ilf.org.au/)
ALIA Schools (https://schools.alia.org.au/) aims to facilitate networking, support, professional development, and resources for the Information sector with a focus on Schools group practice. Subscribe to the ALIA Schools newsletter (https://schools.alia.org.au/subscribe/) and keep up to date with professional development opportunities.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
18 Aug 2026
Onsite, Online and On Tour – How the State Library of NSW Supports Schools, Teachers and Students with Pauline Fitzgerald
In this episode, Ela from the FTLOL team sits down with Pauline Fitzgerald, Head of Learning at the State Library of NSW, to explore the evolving relationship between the State Library and schools. Together they unpack the remarkable growth of this partnership and dive into the rich array of programs and resources designed especially for teachers, library staff, and students - from curriculum linked learning experiences to professional support for school library teams. It's a timely reminder that the State Library isn't just a building in the city - it's a resource for every school.
Further resources
https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/learning (https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/learning)
ALIA Schools (https://schools.alia.org.au/) aims to facilitate networking, support, professional development, and resources for the Information sector with a focus on Schools group practice. Subscribe to the ALIA Schools newsletter (https://schools.alia.org.au/subscribe/) and keep up to date with professional development opportunities.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
30 Apr 2026
Bridging the Gap in School Library Staffing - Building Volunteer Capacity with Courtney Nolan-McLeod
In this episode, Courtney Nolan-McLeod, teacher of Library and Information Services at TAFE NSW, joins Lily from the For the Love of Libraries team to explore how targeted upskilling and community partnerships can breathe new life into under-resourced school libraries. Courtney shares the story behind the Primary School Library Skill Set Short Course, an innovative program developed in partnership with Community Hubs Australia to empower parents in Greater Western Sydney to support their school library. The conversation considers the realities of the decline in library staffing, the power of paraprofessional training, and why getting books into the hands of children must always remain at the heart of what we do.
Further resources
Softlink 2025 School Library Report (https://schools.alia.org.au/softlink_2025/)
IFLA-UNESCO School Library Manifesto (2025) (https://schools.alia.org.au/ifla-manifesto/)
ALIA ACSL Statement on School Library Staffing (https://schools.alia.org.au/acsl_staffing/)
ALIA ACSL Statement on School Library Funding and Resource Provision (https://schools.alia.org.au/acsl_funding/)
Dymocks Children’s Charities – Underfunded school libraries (https://www.dymockschildrenscharities.org.au/latest-news/underfunded-school-libraries )
Landing page for resources and guides relevant to NSW DoE libraries - some links will require a DoE login (https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/curriculum/school-libraries-new)
Professional development through ALIA, School Library Associations of all states, and SCIS (https://www.scisdata.com/professional-learning/ )
TAFE NSW Library and Information Services Courses - Certificate IV and Diploma (https://www.tafensw.edu.au/course-areas/government-library-and-legal-services/library-and-information-services )
Community Hubs Australia (https://www.communityhubs.org.au/ )
Libraries Tasmania -resources for school libraries (https://libraries.tas.gov.au/school-library-guidelines/)
ALIA Schools (https://schools.alia.org.au/) aims to facilitate networking, support, professional development, and resources for the Information sector with a focus on Schools group practice. Subscribe to the ALIA Schools newsletter (https://schools.alia.org.au/subscribe/) and keep up to date with professional development opportunities.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
25 Mar 2026
Building a Nation of Readers - a conversation with Anna Burkey
In this episode, Anna Burkey, CEO of Australia Reads, joins Lily from the For the Love of Libraries team to explore how a national, collaborative approach can strengthen Australia’s reading culture. She shares insights from the Understanding Australian Readers report, focusing on the reading journey, and highlights practical and innovative ways schools can support diverse readers while also addressing challenges around access, equity, and advocacy. The conversation emphasises the importance of visibility, choice, and community partnerships, and introduces the Lit Up program, which brings authors into schools to spark engagement and connection with reading.
Additional links
https://schools.alia.org.au/research/ (https://schools.alia.org.au/research/)
Children’s and young people’s reading in 2025 (https://apac01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fschools.alia.org.au%2Fnational-literacy-trust%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7Ccc6e8d19f31b4b36449e08de8a1ee282%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639100062384317246%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=6Skh6AE7qRMSSly%2F3wmrufjfYzrA9170IORuSGlFW40%3D&reserved=0)
Understanding Australian readers: Behavioural insights into recreational reading (https://apac01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fschools.alia.org.au%2Funderstanding-australian-readers%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7Ccc6e8d19f31b4b36449e08de8a1ee282%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639100062384396283%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=l177%2FRajcYmgFlohPPwVpFONLtEGL6wgVYwmFF2ywGM%3D&reserved=0)
Discovering a good read: Exploring book discovery and reading for pleasure among Australian teens (https://apac01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fschools.alia.org.au%2Fteenreading-deakin%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7Ccc6e8d19f31b4b36449e08de8a1ee282%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639100062384492699%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=V5aOxI3ud2kfiGL4Lg%2B6Vqprl4rLNytyDRJF%2BG0Awks%3D&reserved=0)
Reading for pleasure: scrutinising the evidence base – benefits, tensions, and recommendations (https://apac01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fschools.alia.org.au%2Freading-for-pleasure-cremin%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7Ccc6e8d19f31b4b36449e08de8a1ee282%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639100062384560666%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=kAbjwFjahxxg85aueXIeILh%2BwzI9w3JBl0f3npR1xNU%3D&reserved=0)
ALIA Schools (https://schools.alia.org.au/) aims to facilitate networking, support, professional development, and resources for the Information sector with a focus on Schools group practice. Subscribe to the ALIA Schools newsletter (https://schools.alia.org.au/subscribe/) and keep up to date with professional development opportunities.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
2 Dec 2025
Leading with Values: Cathie Warburton on School Library Impact and Advocacy
In our first episode, Cathie Warburton, CEO of ALIA, joins Rosie from the For The Love of Libraries team to explore the core values that shape school libraries and the professionals who lead them. Cathie shares her unique path from a career in law to her role at ALIA, emphasising the importance of aligning personal values with professional roles. Together, they discuss the vital contribution that school libraries make to the educational experience of all students and staff, the ongoing challenges in staffing school libraries, and the importance of sustained advocacy to ensure that the value of school libraries is recognised as essential to all schools.
Additional resources
ALIA Schools (https://schools.alia.org.au/)
ALIA CEO – Cathie Warburton (https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathie-warburton-a8830513b/)
50 years of ALIA Schools (https://read.alia.org.au/sites/default/files/documents/50_years_of_alia_schools.pdf) (1964 - 2016)
The history of ALIA (https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathie-warburton-a8830513b/)
ALIA’s strategic plan (https://alia.org.au/Web/Web/News/Articles/2024/March-2024/ALIA_Blog_Strategic_Plan.aspx)
ACSL resources for School Libraries (https://acsl.alia.org.au/resources/)
Further Reading
Dr Margaret K. Merga – Why are teacher librarians an excellent investment in contemporary schools? (https://search.informit.org/doi/pdf/10.3316/informit.674196817661903)
Softlink – 2024 Australian School Library Survey (https://www.softlinkint.com/blog/2024-school-library-survey-report-australia/)
Carol A. Gordon - Making your school library essential: A guide to advocacy for Teacher Librarians (https://slav.vic.edu.au/index.php/Synergy/article/view/v15120179/32)
ALIA Schools (https://schools.alia.org.au/) aims to facilitate networking, support, professional development, and resources for the Information sector with a focus on Schools group practice. Subscribe to the ALIA Schools newsletter (https://schools.alia.org.au/subscribe/) and keep up to date with professional development opportunities.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
18 Nov 2025
For the Love of Libraries - Trailer
Welcome to For The Love of Libraries, the official podcast of the ALIA Schools (https://schools.alia.org.au/) Special Interest Group.
As Australia's first podcast dedicated to the school library sector, we are here to connect you, inspire your practice, and share the untold stories from the stacks. Discover practical insights and celebrate the vital role of library professionals and educators in making the library the essential heart of every school community.
ALIA Schools (https://schools.alia.org.au/) aims to facilitate networking, support, professional development, and resources for the Information sector with a focus on Schools group practice. Subscribe to the ALIA Schools newsletter (https://schools.alia.org.au/subscribe/) and keep up to date with professional development opportunities.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
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