Madison's Library

Incredible presentation from Karen Eyre on how she advocates for her school library and position through the programming, events, marketing and connections she builds.
An inspiring session with lots of practical ideas and encouragement.
#SchoolLibraries #FutureLibrariesConference

Helpful sessions at the @qldsla Future Libraries Conference from SCIS, Reading Australia and SLQ with updates and resources to use in our space and to share with our departments and teachers.

#SchoolLibraries #FutureLibrariesConference

Massive congratulations to Kelly Dunham, the incredibly deserving winner of the @qldsla School Leader of the Year award and to Assunta Austin and Lizzy Dixon, dual recipients of the @qldsla Teacher Librarian of the year award.

#FutureLibrariesConference #SchoolLibraries #ProfessionalLearning

Andy Griffiths kicking off the @qldsla Future Libraries Conference with a funny (of course, would you expect anything else), but also nostalgic and provoking keynote.

#FutureLibrariesConference #SchoolLibraries #ProfessionalLearning

Excited to be at the @qldsla Future Libraries Conference.
Looking forward to a full day of learning and connecting and catching up with the amazing school library profession of Queensland, near and far.

#FutureLibrariesConference #SchoolLibraries #ProfessionalLearning

Creating a Romantasy Section One of the things I love most about having a genrefied library is that it is constantly evolving and allows us the flexibility to meet student needs and interests. So, when Romantasy became a big thing, we decided to jump on that trend and respond to the love our students have for romantasy.

One of the things I love most about having a genrefied library is that it is constantly evolving and allows us the flexibility to meet student needs and interests. So, when Romantasy became a big thing, we decided to jump on that trend and respond to the love our students have for romantasy. The…

Preparing for an author / illustrator visit Author and illustrator visits are such important and exciting events to host and organise. Not only do they support our incredible local and national book creators and promote their works, they demonstrate to students that there is a real person behind those works (important in this age of AI) and that it is a rewarding carer path. Authors and illustrators bring literature to life through engaging presentations, detail-driven writing sessions, or hands-on workshops.

Author and illustrator visits are such important and exciting events to host and organise. Not only do they support our incredible local and national book creators and promote their works, they bring literature to life through engaging presentations, detail-driven writing sessions, or hands-on…

Why Every School Library Needs a Strategic Plan If you work in a school library, I’m going to assume you do some planning. Planning displays for the term, planning events or author visits, planning what books to purchase, what collection to stocktake, what section to promote next, or planning library lessons and programs. But how often do you think about how those plans work together to form a big picture or a targeted focus or direction?

If you work in a school library, I’m going to assume you do some planning. Planning displays for the term, planning events or author visits, planning what books to purchase, what collection to stocktake, what section to promote next, or planning library lessons and programs. But how often do you…

Overwhelmed with opportunities Do you know how many times I shared a post on my website last month? Once. Just my month professional development list. Do you know how many posts I have sitting in my draft folder, either fully written, half formed or in the ideas stage? 111. That’s oddly neat. And kind of sad. What stops me from posting? Obviously there is the eternal overthinking, imposter syndrome, and self doubt.

The start of term always feels full of opportunities. New projects, fresh ideas, requests from staff and students - it’s exciting, but if I’m honest, it can also feel overwhelming.
I often find myself with more written than shared, more ideas than time, and a to-do list that grows faster than I can…

Term 3 holidays reflection and wrap up Well, it is almost the end of another term. For me, the term break is a chance to slow down, take lots of walks and naps, plan for the term ahead, and dive back into my professional reading and writing, something that I tend to drop during the busyness of the term.

Well, it is almost the end of another term. For me, the term break is a chance to slow down, take lots of walks and naps, plan for the term ahead, and dive back into my professional reading and writing, something that I tend to drop during the busyness of the term.

This holiday included a visit to…

Professional Learning: October 2025 And just like that, another month has come and gone. October 2025. It feels like a big month in the world of school libraries. The new school year is in full swing in the northern hemisphere and the southern hemisphere is either mid-way through a term break or just about ready to get stuck into the fast and furious pace of term 4.

And just like that, another month has come and gone. October 2025. It feels like a big month in the world of school libraries. There is an abundance of professional learning opportunities for school library staff this month, so here's your list of webinars, podcast episodes, articles and more.…

Professional Learning: September 2025 Welcome to September 2025. A month for learning, exploring, or maybe just recovering from the massive month of August. I am determined to get as much professional learning as I can this month, particularly around areas of interest and relevance to me. As always I have curated a wonderful list of professional learning opportunities for you, including webinars, podcasts, articles and more.

Welcome to September 2025. A month for learning, exploring, or maybe just recovering from the massive month of August. I am determined to get as much professional learning as I can this month, particularly around areas of interest and relevance to me. As always I have curated a wonderful list of…

Why school libraries and their staff matter more than ever Take a walk around my school library with me. It’s lunchtime and the place is buzzing. Upstairs there are students quietly studying. In the small rooms, students meet for boardgames club and Dungeons and Dragons club, forming friendships over shared experiences and interests. A group of year 11 students browse the shelves and sit and chat. They come across my pile of new books to show my younger classes and dive into the new non-fiction titles.

School libraries have always been more than just a room full of books. Today, in an age of AI, a need to support young people’s wellbeing, misinformation, and a complex and confusion online world, they are essential hubs for every kind of literacy students need to thrive, from media and AI literacy…

Don’t Judge a book by its spine: the importance of forward facing We all know the phrase, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” But in school libraries, students do it every day, and they should. Book covers are designed to sell book. They’re crafted by talented illustrators and graphic designers who know how to capture attention, adhere to trends, and entice readers. Covers are visual invitations and works of art. In a world where we compete with screens and short attention spans, using book covers as part of our reader engagement strategy is essential.

We all know the phrase, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” But in school libraries, students do it every day, and they should. Book covers are designed to sell book. They’re crafted by talented illustrators and graphic designers who know how to capture attention, adhere to trends, and entice…

Professional Learning: August 2025 August - a massive month in the school library calendar here in Australia and a big month of preparing to return to school in the northern part of the world. Between all the Book Week preparations and celebrations or holding onto your last bit of summer, you might find time to squeeze in some professional learning. If so, I have rather an epic list for you, with webinars, podcasts, articles and more. 

August - a massive month in the school library calendar here in Australia and a big month of preparing to return to school in the northern part of the world. Between all the Book Week preparations and celebrations or holding onto your last bit of summer, you might find time to squeeze in some…

Planning library lessons for the year – secondary school At the start of this year, I wanted to really focus on my library lessons and design them to be more strategic in what I wanted to achieve. As a teacher librarian, there is so much content to cover: curriculum unit related items, reading promotion and dedicated reading time, library skills, information literacy and research skills, digital and AI literacy, as well as celebrating special events like Book Week and author visits.

At the start of this year, I wanted to really focus on my library lessons and design them to be more strategic in what I wanted to achieve. As a teacher librarian, there is so much content to cover: curriculum unit related items, reading promotion and dedicated reading time, library skills,…

Happy 10 Years (and 6 months) anniversary Cue the confetti. Madison’s Library, this little ol’ slice of the internet, is turning 10 years (and 6 months) old today. Okay, so I kind of missed the big milestone at the beginning of the year. I had no idea that I’d been writing, reviewing and sharing for 10 years. Here’s the old cliche, time flies. But serious. I would have guessed maybe 5 or 6 years.

Cue the confetti. Madison’s Library, this little ol’ slice of the internet, is turning 10 years (and 6 months) old today. Okay, so I kind of missed the big milestone at the beginning of the year. I had no idea that I’d been writing, reviewing and sharing for 10 years. Here’s the old cliche, time…

Book Week: Easy costume ideas from the 2025 CBCA Notables Book Week - Easy costume ideas from the 2025 CBCA Book of the Year Notables Book Week, one of the biggest literary events in the calendar. And let's face it, the highlight (and big stressor) of many Book Week celebrations is a book character dress-up parade. Finding a costume, especially at the last minute, isn't always easy. So that's why I create lists of super-easy, super-affordable and super-book-related costumes that you can throw together with wardrobe staples.

Book Week is not far away. If you are a fan of dressing up or need a costume idea, why not dress up as a character from one of this year's CBCA Book of the Year Award Notables.

Here's a list of costume ideas to get you started.

#SchoolLibraries #BookWeek #BookWeek2025 #BookAnAdventure…

Need some extra bookmarks for your Book Week celebrations? Grab the download here madisonslibrary.com/2025/07/02/b...

#BookWeek2025 #BookWeek #SchoolLibraries #BookAnAdventure

Book Week 2025: Bookmarks, T-Shirts and Tote bags Book Week 2025: Bookmarks, T-Shirts and Tote bags The CBCA Children's Book Week is an epic celebration in school libraries and classrooms across the country.  The theme for 2025 is Book An Adventure.

Sharing a few Book An Adventure themed bookmarks and images, perfect for creating book bags and t-shirts.

#BookWeek2025 #BookAnAdventure #SchoolLibraries #Reading #Bookmarks #FreeDownload

Professional Learning: July 2025 Well, goodbye June and just like that it is July. Whether you are enjoying summer holidays or winter holidays or are just counting down the days until you are on a break, I hope this list of professional learning opportunities finds you well. 

Hello July. Here's a little list of professional learning for you this month. What are you enjoying learning about?

#SchoolLibraries #ProfessionalLearning #ProfessionalDevelopment #Education #SchoolLibraryStaff #Learning

Professional Learning: June 2025 Firstly, I'm sorry I'm sharing this a few days late (June already people, it's hard to believe), I was busy having so much fun at the ASLA conference in Geelong over the weekend. It reminded me about the importance of making time for professional learning. While I curate these lists designed to enable us to learn from work or home, there is something very specially about connecting with other school library staff and sharing our journeys.

Firstly, I'm sorry I'm sharing this a few days late (June already people, it's hard to believe), I was busy having so much fun at the ASLA conference in Geelong over the weekend. It reminded me about the importance of making time for professional learning. While I curate these lists designed to…

Had the most wonderful time at the ASLA Conference in Geelong. Connecting, sharing and learning. Follow along for key takeaways, ideas and moments. #SchoolLibraries #ProfessionalLearning #ASLAConference2025

Stocking Up: Essentials to Get Your Makerspace Started There is so much to love about a makerspace in the school libraries. And you can create one no matter the size of your budget. Makerspace allow you to have the resources on hand to support creativity and hands-on learning, and it's the perfect match for literature, learning and reading.  But with so many different resources, equipment items, and tech tools to choose from, the possibilities for what to stock in your makerspace can seem endless - and overwhelming.

There is so much to love about a makerspace in the school libraries. And you can create one no matter the size of your budget. Makerspace allow you to have the resources on hand to support creativity and hands-on learning, and it's the perfect match for literature, learning and reading.  But with…

It was time for a change. Thanks to the incredible team, today we made some changes in the makerspace, moving the drone cage into a new position, moving the esports computers, moving prototyping material shelving. I love how it looks and feels!!

#SchoolLibraries #Makerspace #Change #LibraryLife

Finding space: Creating a makerspace in your school library Makerspaces in school libraries, the combination of creativity, hands on learning and literature. It’s a match made in heaven. Whether you want to reinvigorate your current makerspace or start one from scratch, it’s an easy thing to do no matter what sized space you have. Makerspaces in school libraries can be little nooks, trays of activities spread throughout the space, trolleys of activities brought out at lunchtime, or large dedicated areas.

Makerspaces in school libraries, the combination of creativity, hands on learning and literature. It’s a match made in heaven. Whether you want to reinvigorate your current makerspace or start one from scratch, it’s an easy thing to do no matter what sized space you have. Makerspaces in school…

Book Review: Tell Me Every Lie Tell Me Every Lie - Ellen Hagan and David Flores - Bloomsbury YA Published 24 June 2025 ♥♥♥♥♥ It’s been ages since I’ve read a young adult contemporary romance this good. A romance with fairly low drama, with depth of character backstory, with a quick but authentic connection between our love interest and a setting that is relaxing and enjoyable and believable.

It’s been ages since I’ve read a young adult contemporary romance this good. A romance with fairly low drama, with depth of character backstory, with a quick but authentic connection between our love interest and a setting that is relaxing and enjoyable and believable. Honestly, in a time where I’m…

Reading Graphics: Finding Time to Read Trying to convince our students to read can be tricky. We have to compete with the many activities and distractions that take up time in their lives. Sharing the research about why reading is good for them and tips on how to get back into reading can be one way to assist this process. There is plenty of research and information around the benefits of reading, how to select a good book, or make reading a habit, but we need it in easily digestible formats with which students can engage.

If only I had more time to read. Can you relate?

My next reading graphic design is all about how to make time for reading.

You'll find all the downloadable templates on my website, along with the other graphics in this reading series.

What reading topic would you like to see…

Professional Learning: May 2025 Welcome to another month’s professional learning list. Whether you're looking for a three-day challenge to become a future-ready school library professional, up-skill on AI and digital fakes, or grab a resource to help you unpack the CBCA Book of the Year Shortlist, I hope this list will have something to inspire you. Happy learning. 

It's time for another month’s professional learning list (don't the months just fly by?)

Whether you're looking for a three-day challenge to become a future-ready school library professional, up-skill on AI and digital fakes, or grab a resource to help you unpack the CBCA Book of the Year…

Should I Have a Makerspace in my School Library? If you are reading this, then you are probably interested in setting up a makerspace in your school library. Or perhaps you already have one and are not sure if you should continue to support a makerspace. What are the benefits? How do you manage resources? And how exactly does it fit into the overall school library ethos?

I love having a (rather large) makerspace in my school library. But even if your makerspace is a few items on a trolley or tray, a makerspace can have a big impact.

Should we still be making space for making in our libraries? I explore the benefits and considerations of makerspaces in school…