School libraries

Understanding school libraries

Find out what makes an effective school library, and why it matters. Discover the latest thinking and research about the role of the library in teaching and learning.

Leading and managing

Leadership of your school library involves strategic management and planning for its development. Get advice and guidance about aspects of managing your library, including financial management, reporting and staffing your library.

Collections and resources

Building an inclusive and balanced school library collection requires good planning. The cycle of tasks, including selecting, buying and removing resources, can involve your whole school community including library staff, teachers and students.

Library systems and operations

To ensure ongoing access to your library’s resources and services, you need to manage functions such as cataloguing and stocktaking efficiently. It’s easier to manage emergencies and other changes if you have plans in place.

Place and environment

Creating a library space that enables innovation, and is inclusive and inviting for all, needs to involve the whole school community. These pages offer guidance and resources to stimulate thinking and inspiration for designing your library.

Library services for teaching and learning

Find ideas and advice for developing library services and programmes to support teaching and learning. When you develop or change your library services, involve your community and gather evidence to guide your changes.

Videos

Watch videos about successful strategies and approaches for school libraries, reading engagement, digital literacy, and for using teaching and learning resources.

Stories

These stories showcase innovative and successful initiatives that New Zealand school librarians and teachers have implemented to inspire and engage students with reading and learning.

Research

This research is a curated collection of important and thought-provoking recent publications. It highlights national and international research in the areas of school libraries, digital literacy, and reading engagement.