18 May 2021

Anne Girolami, Learning Leader – Information Services at Mercy College, Coburg, has been announced as ASLA Australian Teacher Librarian of the Year 2021.

The award, from the Australian School Library Association (ASLA), was announced at the ASLA/SLASA National Conference in April. It recognises and honours an Australian teacher librarian who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession of school librarianship. Through their high level of achievement in professional knowledge, professional practice and professional engagement, they have had a positive impact on teaching and learning in their school.

‘I was surprised and delighted to be presented with this award’, said Anne, ‘but I’m also pleased that it’s a way of shining a light on the important role school libraries and teacher librarians play in our schools’. With over 30 years of service to school libraries and professional associations, the award recognises Anne’s commitment to teacher librarianship and the support to lifelong learning.

‘I believe the school library, with a teacher librarian, can serve the information and reading needs of the whole-school learning community, so that students are successful in their learning as well as teachers being effective in their teaching.’