Supporting Students: The Educational Contribution of Australia's Public Libraries

Abstract

A 2006 survey of Australian public libraries by Friends of Libraries Australia confirms that they receive high use from primary and secondary school students in particular, including home schooled children. For most of the respondents that use is increasing. Many provide a wide range of services and resources to support students, including professional reference assistance, internet access, online homework tutoring, special collections, study spaces, and homework centres and clubs. Barriers to improving support for students were cited most frequently as lack of space for individual and group study and information technology; lack of specialist library professional staff; restricted evening and weekend opening hours; slow internet speeds in country areas; and lack of cooperation or interest from schools. Of particular value in disadvantaged socioeconomic areas of Australia would be a program of staffed homework centres in public libraries, following the success of centres in Australia, New Zealand and the large number in the UK. Also of advantage to students throughout Australia would be an online library chat reference service specifically to support school students, and greater access to an online tutoring service currently provided by about 60 public libraries, a growing number of independent schools, but very few government schools. Shortened version of a Report to the Nation by Friends of Libraries Australia available at www.fola.org.au

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