SchoolNews by Sarah Davison May 2026

It is where independent reading sits alongside group projects, where students can access both trusted digital resources and much-loved paperbacks, and where many young people find a sense of safety and connection beyond the formal classroom.

The idea that these spaces matter is backed by research. According to the Australian Council for Educational Research’s PIRLS 2021 Snapshot, students who never or almost never borrowed books from their school or local library scored lower on average in reading comprehension than peers who borrowed regularly. In a time when literacy rates remain a national concern, creating library spaces that encourage students to engage is important.

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