The Tasmanian Government is investing in school libraries to create literacy-rich environments for children and young people throughout their school years.
A new School Libraries Team has been established within Libraries Tasmania to support school libraries.
Minister for Education, Jo Palmer, said the Tasmanian Liberal Government is committed to improving literacy outcomes for all Tasmanians.
“School libraries are wonderful places where students can access their favourite books, strengthen their reading skills, connect with their peers and become readers for life,” Minister Palmer said.
“The School Libraries Team will provide support to school libraries to enhance physical collections, and support school library staff with ongoing professional development opportunities.
“An important part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future is to lift literacy outcomes for all students, with the Tasmanian Government investing $3 million to extend structured literacy to all Government primary school students in Years 3 to 6.
“We’ve also committed $800,000 for decodable readers in schools, libraries and mobile libraries, and from 2025, Government primary schools will be required to teach at least one hour per day of structured literacy.”
The School Libraries Team will help schools increase usage of available eResources and increase support to schools without a qualified librarian.
The establishment of the School Libraries Team is a key action under the Tasmanian Government’s Lifting Literacy Implementation Plan 2024-2026.
