Ann Blakey, teacher librarian, Merici College, Braddon
In the Canberra and Goulburn region, teacher librarians play a pivotal role in sparking students’ passion for reading. Catholic Voice journalist Veronika Cox engaged with these educators, uncovering their top three book recommendations for students and delving into their personal literary preferences.
Becoming a librarian was a job Ann Blakey fell into and fell in love with.
“The teacher librarian’s role in schools is imperative,” she said.
“Firstly, to the functioning of a school library. As TLs, we not only promote reading for pleasure; we also read the books the students read. We know books. We are able to put the right book into the right hands often, just when kids need it. We have that relationship with so many students across the school.”
“Secondly, the teacher online sources for students to access reliable, authoritative resources for their studies.”
Ann said one aspect of being a teacher librarian that usually goes under the radar is creating the “third space.”
“This is the area used by many kids as their safe space – the spot in the school where they feel that they belong,” she explained.
“As the teacher librarian, I can build relationships with these students in a way that many other teachers in the school are not able to – every student in a school needs a champion, and for some kids, that champion is the teacher.
What are three books you recommend to students?
- Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetti: This is an important story about families and growing up.
- How to Bee by Bren MacDibble: A dystopian story about a time when bees are extinct.
- Grace Notes by Karen Cormer: A story in verse about young people in Melbourne trying to survive lockdown.
What are your three favourite books in the world?
- The Things that Matter Most by Gabbie Stroud: A heartbreaking story that every teacher should read.
- The Power of One by Bryce Courtney: Inspirational, powerful, challenging and unputdownable.
- Tully by Paullina Simons: A beautiful story about love and survival.