This national award recognised an exceptional Australian teacher librarian in a school setting whose professional practice has a positive impact on student achievement and information literacy. This award was made possible by Pledger Consulting Pty Ltd (LinksPlus/WebLinks).
ASLA describes the role of a teacher librarian as having three key professional standards:
- Professional Commitment
- Professional Knowledge
- Professional Practice
The Australian Teacher Librarian of the Year was awarded to a teacher librarian who demonstrates a high level of achievement in each of these three components of their role and thus provides a library and information services that improves student learning in a school setting.
What is a teacher librarian?
A qualified teacher librarian is defined as a person who holds recognised teaching qualifications and qualifications in librarianship, defined as eligibility for professional membership for the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) (Learning for the future: Developing information information services in schools 2001, p. 60).
Within the broad fields of education and librarianship, teacher librarians are uniquely qualified. This is valuable because curriculum knowledge and pedagogy are combined with library and information management knowledge and skills.
Teacher librarians support and implement the vision of their school communities through advocating and building effective library and information services and programs that contribute to the development of lifelong learners.
Standards of professional excellence for teacher librarians (2004) outlines three major standards excellent teacher librarians demonstrate -Professional Knowledge, Professional Practice and Professional Commitment.
Australian Teacher Librarian of the Year Awards: