BGS Library Strategic Plan 2016 - 2018

Brisbane Grammar School Libraries Connecting learners and ideas

STRATEGIC PLAN 2016 - 2018 1

Brisbane Grammar School Libraries

Brisbane Grammar School Libraries

CONTENTS 3 OVERVIEW 4

OUR JOURNEY

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OUR AMBITION

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OUR PURPOSE

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OUR PHILOSOPHY

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OUR BRAND PROMISES

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OUR VALUES

7 8 9 10 11

OUR STRATEGIC INTENTS

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ACHIEVEMENTS

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STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK

Strengthen Academic Partnerships Increase Reading Engagement Position the Libraries as Community Hubs Build Capacity

SEMESTER 1 - 2016

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Brisbane Grammar School Libraries

Connecting learners and ideas

Brisbane Grammar School Libraries Connecting learners and ideas

OVERVIEW “Libraries are community hubs – places that deliver opportunities for lifelong learning, building social capital and fostering learning strategies for communities….libraries are pivotal places for community engagement, social interaction and the creation of new ideas.” (Councillor Margaret de Wit, LGAQ President) There is no doubt that libraries play a critical role in enhancing the learning landscape of the schools they support. The challenge is that this landscape is fluid and continually evolving. In order to step boldly and confidently into this exciting and dynamic future, this Strategic Plan will guide priorities, decision-making and resource allocation as we adjust to changing user needs and expectations.

After identifying both internal and external trends, and being guided by a user-centred approach, we are committed to developing new ways of engaging with and supporting the community. We place high value on improving our services and communication strategies, forming partnerships with key stakeholders and becoming transformational agents within the school.

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Brisbane Grammar School Libraries

We are one Library, encompassing three distinct spaces. This Strategic Plan looks at our journey from when the Lilley Centre opened to where we are today.

It also looks forward to the future and how we will preserve our numerous strengths while building staff capacity, maintaining an adventurous mindset for new ideas and encouraging students to take leadership risks.

Our Strategic Plan meshes seamlessly with Brisbane Grammar School’s ambition, purpose, values and strategic priorities. Although it clearly positions the pursuit of academic excellence as our core pillar, it also supports the development of multiple literacies, student wellbeing initiatives, the incubation of innovative ideas and outstanding customer service.

While this plan outlines our intent for the coming years, it also recognises the need to closely monitor whether our objectives are being met, and to ensure that sound practices are being implemented. Data collection has occurred consistently over the past six years, and we are now in a position to identify and analyse long-term trends and patterns. This will continue, together with staff and student surveys. All feedback is valuable, and will be used to shape further programs, events and resource allocations as we respond to the ever-changing education landscape.

Brisbane Grammar School Libraries Connecting learners and ideas

OUR JOURNEY “We need to strive to dent the universe, build the impossible and offer insanely great services, products and spaces.”

(Steve Jobs, Apple founder and entrepreneur, 2011) The world is changing profoundly and the Brisbane Grammar School learning landscape with it. Since the Lilley Centre opened in 2010, external events such as the new Australian Curriculum, changing technology and an increased reliance by students on the internet as a trusted source of information, have all shaped our journey and determine our future priorities.

Successes since the Lilley Centre opened

• An extensive and very collaborative partnership has always existed between the Middle School TL and teachers, integrating information literacy instruction and ICTs into the curriculum.

• An initial series of five one-hour information literacy sessions was delivered to all senior students covering Deep Research, Efficient Search Strategies, Online Databases, Web 2.0 Tools and Digital Citizenship.

• The strong Middle School culture of reading was continued into the Senior School, incorporating Literature Circles, Wide Reading programs, Literature Festival excursions, author visits, Book Week celebrations, and new Book Clubs for different year levels.

• The development of a fresh and engaging website, with a rich suite of assignment and reading guides, along with innovative library activities and events has heightened our significance within the School.

• Library services and events have been marketed using social media tools such as blogs, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

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Brisbane Grammar School Libraries

• A busy new library for Years 7 and 8 boys was added when the Middle School library outgrew its ability to cater for 700 boys • A lively mix of engaging lessons and collaborative activities was implemented in both the Middle School and Centenary libraries.

• Two new energetic and enthusiastic staff members were employed: one to drive the programs and activities offered in the new Centenary Library, and one to fill a much-needed gap in the provision of media resource creation and teaching media skills.

• A new Maker Space club for Years 7 and 8 was set up, introducing coding, electronics and small robot programming, along with other low-tech activities. .• The focus of one of our TLs has changed to incorporate working closely with the History Department, our major research clients.

• An increase in student visits to the Senior Library has seen numbers rise from 1,100 /day to 1,300 /day.

• The Learning Commons has become an exhibition space showcasing innovative and creative student work from the Art, Music and Design and Tech Departments.

• Library staff have promoted Brisbane Grammar School Library’s initiatives and innovative practice to the world at many local, national and international conferences and seminars

New directions

• 2016 has seen the addition of The eXchange, a re-visioned space for collaborative learning, creative play and big ideas.

• A new strategic partnership has been formed with the Assistant Dean -Teaching Development to showcase to staff examples of useful tools and adventurous pedagogy.

• Our Library webpages have been viewed 18,000 times in the past 12 months by 69 different countries, reinforncing the ambition of Brisbane Grammar School to become the best school for boys in Australia.

Brisbane Grammar School Libraries Connecting learners and ideas

OUR AMBITION The Brisbane Grammar School Library aspires to be the best school library for boys in Australia.

It plays a critical role in supporting the School’s ambition to become the best school for boys in Australia, offering premium educational and leadership opportunities for boys of all backgrounds, strengthening its global connections and building a vibrant school community among students, parents, staff, Old Boys and the broader society.

OUR PURPOSE The Library is committed to nurturing the academic potential and social wellbeing of students by providing a dynamic learning environment where boys can investigate, create, connect, exchange, exhibit and inspire.

By cultivating information literacy, digital fluency, creativity, critical thinking skills and global connections, students will be empowered to boldly, but thoughtfully and empathetically, tackle the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly changing world.

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Brisbane Grammar School Libraries

Brisbane Grammar School Libraries Connecting learners and ideas

OUR PHILOSOPHY By providing a dynamic learning environment, which combines innovative teaching practices and technologically-enriched learning spaces, students will become intuitive, motivated and reflective learners. The cultivation of information literacy skills and critical thinking processes will enable students to negotiate the challenges and embrace the opportunities of an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

The Library provides support for students and teachers in all areas of the curriculum. At Brisbane Grammar School, both academic and library

staff seek to enable students to become more successful independent learners and thoughtful, well-informed future leaders.

Students who are critical in their thinking, motivated and confident in managing their learning, and adept in their research and information skills will be much more enabled to take on the challenges of higher education and lifelong learning, and to meet the complexities of the world as it evolves.

OUR BRAND PROMISES

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Premium academic resources

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Stimulating thought leadership

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Exciting learning experiences

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Dynamic global connections

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Team agility

The Library provides access to world-class academic resources through our subscriptions to premium databases that are similar to those used by university libraries. These not only ensure quality resourcing of the academic program; they also offer a stress-free transition to university for our students.

While the Library has always been a space for learning and nurturing ideas, the introduction of a structured program of experts and industry professionals will drive the development of thought leadership, exposing boys to a wide range of viewpoints and the latest research, as well as encouraging both independent and collaborative inquiry, debate and learning.

The development of The eXchange will complement the engaging opportunities that already exist in our Middle School libraries, and align closely with the School’s vision of implementing a STEAM program. All three libraries will provide opportunities for the boys to experiment with scientific principles, engineering, robotics, electronics and coding, as well as developing their creativity with other hands-on activities.

Through the use of digital technologies, the libraries will connect boys to other students, classrooms, experts and professionals from around the world. Our Library webpages will further support Brisbane Grammar School’s ambition to become a key global contender in the education field.

Our library staff will be competent and professional, adaptable to the changing information landscape, responsive to the evolution of user needs, and continuously striving to improve the user experience.

Brisbane Grammar School Libraries

Brisbane Grammar School Libraries Connecting learners and ideas

OUR VALUES Endeavour - Learning - Respect - Leadership - Community The Library embraces and aligns all thinking, activities and interactions to reflect the School’s values. Hard work, consistent effort and a growth mindset are all attributes which are encouraged for both students and library staff.

Each of our three libraries has developed its own enthusiastic and dedicated communities, and each library is seen as a safe and inviting social hub within the school. In all interactions, respect for others is both modelled and expected.

Continued excellence in academic learning is fostered by the provision of flexible and inviting learning spaces, and a superb range of quality resources.

Additionally, our new eXchange learning hub will provide distinctive opportunities for boys to develop into confident and articulate leaders, sharing their knowledge and their expertise with others in the school community.

OUR STRATEGIC INTENTS 1. Strengthen Academic Partnerships

3. Position the Libraries as Community Hubs

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Brisbane Grammar School Libraries

2. Increase Reading Engagement

4. Build Capacity

Brisbane Grammar School Libraries Connecting learners and ideas

STRATEGIC INTENT 1 Strengthen Academic Partnerships

OUTCOMES

TERM 2 PRIORITIES

12 MONTH INITIATIVES

3 YEAR STRATEGIES

Academic excellence is synonymous with the brand and reputation of Brisbane Grammar School, and is one of the core reasons for its existence. Information literacy and digital information fluency are critical skills which students need in order to evaluate and ethically navigate the glut of poor quality information available online. Thus, a vital goal for the Library over the next three years is to expand and strengthen our teaching role and educational impact as an academic partner. Our virtual and physical libraries will work in tandem to deliver premium academic resources, sourced locally, nationally and internationally, available 24/7, which will empower students to become independent and accomplished researchers and users of information.

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Become an integral part of the academic program by collaborating with teachers to incorporate information literacy skills and ICT skills into the curriculum Develop close and long-term partnerships with Heads of Departments to ensure the Library is meeting their needs Support the teaching and learning agenda by providing a range of premium resources, both physical and online, including access to high quality databases Update teaching staff regularly as new resources, platforms and tools become available Provide regular professional development sessions for staff to share ideas, collaborate and upskill Support staff professional growth by facilitating access to professional reading and online journals Facilitate the Year 12 Academic Support team in offering peer mentoring and assistance to other students Provide engaging physical and virtual Library spaces focused on connecting students to scholarly resources that enhance academic endeavours Strengthen partnerships with parents by offering parent information evenings

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Establish a Library staff team to drive the development of reading and literature opportunities for boys in each library Develop a scope and sequence plan for Information Literacy and Fluency from Years 5-12 Curate subject resources and update library pages to further support the Australian Curriculum Develop the role of the Media Specialist in enriching classroom learning through creating instructional videos and teaching media creation lessons Review and evaluate online services to make them more effective for learning Market Library services and resources more effectively, including subscriptions to databases Develop and market an Academic Support page on the Library webpages Run a series of parent information evenings which will enable parents to understand the ways in which the Library Organise and promote regular best practice sharing sessions for teachers in The eXchange Connect with Heads of Department at each HoD meeting to promote new resources and services Send out monthly newsletters to teaching staff promoting Library services, resources and platforms Approach Year 7 & 8 Subject Coordinators to collaborate with assignment help Promote new-look EBSCO databases on Library webpages and to staff Create video guides for effective use of the databases Set up a Media guide on the Library webpages, and promote to staff and students Update subject assignment pages Update our eResources page to feature EBSCO’s MySearch more prominently

1. Staff will come to us for help with resources and information literacy integration, rather than us always approaching them 2. Statistics and data will prove database usage has improved, indicating that more students are accessing high quality resources

Brisbane Grammar School Libraries

Brisbane Grammar School Libraries Connecting learners and ideas

STRATEGIC INTENT 2 Increase Reading Engagement

OUTCOMES

TERM 2 PRIORITIES

12 MONTH INITIATIVES 3 YEAR STRATEGIES

Promoting books and reading is one of the core objectives underpinning the libraries, as we seek to improve literacy levels and support the School’s academic priorities. While the Middle School Library’s engaging and dynamic reading culture has permeated into the Senior Library, data analysis has indicated that borrowing statistics are now decreasing while student numbers are increasing. Over the next three years, therefore, it is our intention to explore why this is happening and attempt to reverse this trend.

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Make each experience with books and libraries a positive one in a welcoming and friendly environment Survey students to determine their reading habits and reading disposition Collaborate with the English Department to incorporate more book promotions and reading lessons into their teaching programs Advocate and promote reading for pleasure by maintaining a vibrant fiction collection in both print and ebook format Engage students in reading through participation in festivals, celebrations, author visits, book clubs and book promotions Promote books and reading at every opportunity, using a variety of social media and digital tools Seek professional development opportunities for staff to explore reading programs in other schools

1. Establish a Library staff team to drive the development of reading and literature opportunities for boys in each library 2. Collaborate with the English Department to promote both print and ebook collections to each year level across the year 3. Strengthen ties with teaching staff by offering a staff book club, holiday reading lists and a staff book exchange 4. Nurture a love of reading by connecting boys with a succession of authors in as many ways as possible 5. Update the Library webpages regularly with new resources to reflect the value we place on reading 6. Promote books and reading at every opportunity, using a variety of social media and digital tools 1. Organise and run a successful program of activities during Book Week: breakfast, author visits, Amazing Race activities 2. Organise and run a week of events to celebrate Star Wars Day (May 4) 3. Promote ebooks to Year 7 and 8 students 4. Invite senior boys to talk to the younger boys about their favourite books when they were at a similar age 5. Commence Book Clubs for staff, Years 5/6, and Years 9/10 6. Enter teams of boys into the Readers Cup Competition and the Spring Hill Young Writers Workshop 7. Work with the English Department to develop the Wide Reading program for Years 7 and 8, ensuring a mix of individual consultations and whole class literary experiences • Library reading lessons will become a regular and highly valued part of the English curriculum • Analysis of data will show that book borrowing statistics have increased, with a possible flow-on effect correlating with an

improvement in NAPLAN scores

Brisbane Grammar School Libraries

Brisbane Grammar School Libraries Connecting learners and ideas

STRATEGIC INTENT 3 Position the Libraries as Community Hubs Our libraries already function as popular social hubs, with visits to the Senior Library increasing from 1100/ day to 1300/day. Our desire is to capitalise on this by continuing our vibrant program of activities in the Middle School and Centenary Libraries, and developing a space in the Senior Library for stimulating discussions, facilitating collaborative exchanges and knowledge construction, and enabling creative opportunities.

OUTCOMES

TERM 2 PRIORITIES

12 MONTH INITIATIVES

3 YEAR STRATEGIES

• Advance the Student Wellbeing agenda by positioning the three libraries as vibrant community hubs • Develop The eXchange in the Senior Library as a dynamic space for learning, sharing and making - by Old Boys, by parents, by

teachers, by students, for teachers, for students

• Develop student leadership by hosting a TEDx@BGS event, involving BGS students and others sharing innovative ideas • Establish connections with the wider BGS community and tap into their expertise to enrich boys’ learning • Make parents, teachers and students aware of Library programs, events and services by marketing these in a variety of creative

and effective ways

• Align with the School’s plan to incorporate STEAM by developing maker spaces where boys can create and innovate

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Establish a Library staff team to drive the development of events and creative opportunities for boys in each library Organise a series of workshops, tutorials and big ideas - for students and by students - to be held in The eXchange Liaise with the Assistant Dean-Teaching Development to develop a Teacher eXchange program and a culture of sharing Set up a student committee to help drive The eXchange and foster student leadership Strengthen strategic partnerships with the wider school community and encourage their contribution to boys’ learning

5. Use the Libraries and Learning Commons to exhibit and showcase innovative and creative work by students 1. Continue to offer exciting activities in the Middle School and Centenary Libraries, such as Kahoot tournaments, Magformers and Rubix competitions, Coding and Pixel Paper Craft 2. Design and install banners, flags and wall lettering to create a sense of place for The eXchange 3. Develop a Library page to advertise eXchange events 4. Approach students, teachers, parents and Old Boys to contribute their expertise to the program, both as organisers and facilitators 5. Purchase kits and equipment to provide the boys with casual maker space activities

1. The eXchange will become a flexible space hosting tutorials, workshops, speakers of interest- scientists, business people,

entrepreneurs, humanitarians - and a maker space

2. The concept will gain momentum and teachers and students will ask to host subject-related events in The eXchange

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Brisbane Grammar School Libraries Connecting learners and ideas

STRATEGIC INTENT 4 Build Capacity A key driving factor over the next three years is the need to develop and sustain a skilled and engaged staff who can transition readily in a constantly changing world. Increasingly, electronic collections, data curation, event planning and use of social media marketing tools are replacing traditional tasks. Analysing time efficiencies and reshaping the mindset of staff, while retaining existing expertise and knowledge, are critical factors for the development of successful user experiences.

3 YEAR STRATEGIES

1. Build an A Grade Library team that can deliver on the BGS Library brand promise.

A Grade team members will have a growth mindset and will:

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engage in continuous lifelong learning to develop high level skills, knowledge and personal mastery be accountable, demonstrate initiative and have high productivity levels exhibit outstanding customer focus demonstrate a positive attitude and enthusiasm for their work develop exceptional teamwork show innovation and continuous improvement

2. Provide transformative professional development and training to ensure staff flexibility, responsiveness and innovation.

OUTCOMES

TERM 2 PRIORITIES

12 MONTH INITIATIVES

Design a Talent Management System that will support the development and maintenance of an A Grade team: 1.

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Develop a workforce management plan to ensure we both recruit and retain expert staff Identify skills gaps and establish staff training plans to increase proficiency with relevant technologies Develop a procedure for bringing people into the team and familiarising them with roles, expectations and culture Update role descriptions to state broad Library roles, values, strategy alignment expectations, and team member role expectations Develop strategies as to how people will keep ahead of the game in terms of skills, confidence and motivation Meet regularly to give performance feedback, recognition and reward Build teamwork, team relationships, communication and team expectations Support staff with expertise in a field of interest to be leaders and share their skills.

1. Evaluate and streamline current library management practices to allow more time to work on high-impact customer services 2. Design a support staff training program similar to ‘23 Research Things’, but tailored to meet the needs of our own Library 3. Inservice staff with the skills needed to update the Library webpages, create Library blog posts, tweet on the Library Twitter account, and save websites of interest to the Library Pinterest boards 4. Develop staff and student surveys to determine changing user needs, and analyse feedback to drive training priorities

1. Library staff will be aware of emerging technologies, receptive to changing customer needs and will request training to update their skillset 2. Library staff will actively contribute to the development of a rich network of online resources to support students’ learning and wellbeing 3. Data on services provided will be collected and analysed to determine long-term trends and to identify weaknesses and changing needs

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Brisbane Grammar School Libraries Connecting learners and ideas

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Academic priorities Extracurricular priorities

Educational Leadership

Student wellbeing

Development & performance - staff Middle schooling objectives

BGS Ambition/Purpose/Values

Culture

Maintain & enrich a culture of collaboration and care Establish closer ties with BGGS

Infrastructure

Financial Sustainability Community Relations

Develop infrastructure to enable programs & activities

Maintain a dynamic fiction collection & market assertively

Provide access to premium academic resources

Encourage participation in festivals, events, author visits & book clubs

Support staff professional growth

Work more closely with the English Department

Promote the services of the Digital Media Teacher

Support staff reading enjoyment

Facilitate the aims of the Year 12 Academic Support Team

Develop reading initiatives with BGGS

Provide flexible spaces for socialising, reading, creating & studying

Train & up-skill library staff to meet changing needs

Re-purpose LC309 as a vibrant space for exchanging ideas & skills

Develop marketing strategy

Provide a continuous program of workshops tutorials & casual makerspace activities

Enhance communications & publications

Establish connections & tap into the expertise of the wider community

Build human & social capital

Promote student leadership opportunities in The eXchange

Explore state, national & international partnerships

14 Brisbane Grammar School Libraries

Become an integral part of the academic program by teaching information fluency

Strengthen academic partnerships

Increase reading engagement

Position the libraries as community hubs

LIBRARY Ambition/Purpose/Values

Encourage staff to become enthusiastic, positive, lifelong learners

Challenge staff to be accountable, demonstrate initiative & show high levels of productivity

Build capacity

Develop staff as team operators with a growth mindset & exceptional customer service Track usage patterns & trends by compiling & analysing data & feedback

Brisbane Grammar School Libraries Connecting learners and ideas

Brisbane Grammar School Libraries Connecting learners and ideas

ACHIEVEMENTS SEMESTER 1 - 2016

Semester 1 Achievements 2016

Re-design the Senior Library spaces

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March

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June

Cull F and NF collections Dispose of culled F and NF books Rearrange F and NF collections Order new tables and chairs for Library and cupboards for LC309 Move magazine/ graphic novel bookcase Re-name Library areas Purchase TL workstation for Research Area Request a data projector and screen for new Reading and Research Areas

Create Exciting Spaces

Promote LC309 as The eXchange learning hub by using banners and signs Create a database of students, teachers, parents and OBs with relevant skills Approach staff and students to ascertain interests and possible skills Develop a student leader team to help drive The eXchange Invite students and teachers to run workshops and tutorials Gain a TEDx@BGS licence Organise and run a TEDx@BGS event Set up a media film studio in the Senior Library Run a series of Steampunk events in the Senior Library Organise and run a series of Book Week events for Middle School boys Organise and run a series of Star Wars events for Senior School boys Purchase Meccano, Lego, Bionicles, Magformers for developing creative skills Facilitate creative projects in The eXchange with student and Old Boy assistance

Promote Academic Partnerships & Information Literacy

Map Australian Curriculum list of information skills to BGS unit topics Add relevant curriculum resources to Library website Survey staff & students to ascertain academic/ curriculum needs Promote TL assistance at each HOD meeting Meet individually with HODs re TL assistance/ incorporating inform'n literacy Provide information literacy assistance to teachers/ boys on specific units of work Liaise with HODs to set up subject displays in the Libraries/Learning Commons Purchase textbooks/ collect supporting digital and print materials for units of work Design and teach research skills lessons to different year levels

Promote Literacy and Reading

Develop and teach Year 7/8 Wide Reading lessons in conjunction with LARA Promote and market different genres, authors and series Arrange author visits for Middle School students Involve students in collaborative reading and writing programs with other schools Survey staff & students to ascertain recreational reading needs Run Book Clubs for different year levels Organise Poetry Slam competition for Year 8s

Upskill Library Staff

Rewrite Library staff position descriptions Promote updated Library vision to Library staff Divide Library staff into 5 teams, each with a designated leader Conduct structured weekly staff meetings and team meetings Meet with each staff member 5 times to align roles with vision Provide Powerpoint and Photoshop training for Library support staff Develop strategies to upskill Library staff in the use of relevant digital tools

Market and Promote Services

Continually promote the Library via our webpages and social media platforms Market Library events via the School newsletter and Facebook page Work with HODs to feature Departmental exhibitions in the Libraries Sustain ongoing displays in the Libraries to promote products and events

13 Brisbane Grammar School Libraries

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Brisbane Grammar School Libraries