2024 Year in Review

As has become tradition, towards the end of the year I take some time to reflect on the year that was, how it compares to the previous year and if I managed to achieve the goals and things I wanted to.

Word of the year

At the start of 2024 I had some fun with selecting a word that would guide my year. I particularly enjoyed Martha Bongiorno’s Word of Year reel on instagram. My word for 2024 was Creativity. It seemed like an excellent choice and exactly what I needed for the year ahead. Sadly, it wasn’t to be. While I think I have been pretty creative in my efforts this year, they’ve not been in the way I expected. Instead of creating new programs and initiatives and really sinking my attention into our makerspace, I had to be creative in my advocacy for our library, services and staff, be creative in response to emergencies that threatened our library buildings and collections, and be creative, flexible and adaptive as we helped other areas of the school respond to similar emergencies. So my word for 2024 might have been creative but I feel like my word could equally have been resilience, challenges and, sadly, burnout.

Professional life – work

It’s funny to read my year in review for 2023 and see photos of us moving into a building site and setting up our new library in the Innovation Precinct. I can hardly believe that it was only last year that we did all that. No wonder we are tired. This year we’ve continued to change and adapt our space, starting in early January by switching around the senior study area and library space upstairs. It works so much better now.

Floods, Water and Mould

But January was also rocked by a mould incident in the Junior School, so the Library team were quick to mobilise to help, purchasing emergency resources, carting boxes and bucket loads of belongings, and helping to wash, discard, rescue and sort items. Sadly, in February, we had water inundation in the Junior Library from leaks that have been there for years. When water starts to come out of power outlets, it gets some attention. The Library Team were given just two hours to rescue what we could (with no additional assistance I might add). We saved the entire collection, all 12,294 plus items, moving them to another space.

Junior Library’s Temporary Home

We set up a temporary space for the Junior Library in the Innovation Precinct. While it was so amazing to have the whole Library team under one roof, the space wasn’t the easiest to run a library from, with loud neighbouring noise from the makerspace and a fair distance from the junior school to walk students to and from, not to mention separated from where we stored the collection. The temporary space became semi-permanent, as repairs to the junior library space didn’t begin and got pushed further down the priority list due to other works happening at the school. I learnt a lot about advocating for a physical space, being flexible and working with the leadership admin team, understanding their limited capacity for undertaking multiple projects while continuing to ensure the library was on the repairs list and fighting for making positive changes to the space in the process. Weeks turned into months and then turned into terms. The Library Team were amazing through it all, flexible and making the best of the situation, constantly adapting and being patient when we got no answers about when work might start to repair the library.

Term 1 Library Lessons

The first term was also full of orientation library sessions with year 7, 8 and 9 students. We looked at setting reading goals, fables, fairytales, graphic novels and visual literacy, along with AI usage. For senior classes, I ran sessions on academic integrity, AI usage, and research skills. I met and presented to curriculum leaders on what the library could offer their team, along with data about our reading culture and reading for pleasure. This was followed up by visits to the English team and Science team to share a similar but targeted presentation to each team of teachers.

Term 2

In term two we supported amazing uses of our library and makerspace with the Year 12s creating writing journals, Year 10 reading lessons, science model making and so much more. We also found ourselves the host of an entire building’s worth of class groups for the term. After working three very long days to retimetable the classes after another flooding emergency in a neighbouring building, the Innovation Precinct became home to these teachers and students. It absolutely amazes me that we were able to pull off this logistical arrangement, plus continue to offer our regular library services, makerspace access AND host the junior library. How the library team responded to welcome everyone, rearrange furniture, put up maps, help teachers and students find their spaces, and make the transition as easy as possible for them is phenomenal. During the term we farewelled a team member, retiring after a long and varied career in the education world. Unfortunately, instead of an easy transition, I had to strap on my advocacy boots again and ensure the position was retained and filled again. The end of the term ended in a rush, with events, and what seemed like progress on the Junior library as we madly made design decisions and pitched to leadership to invest funds in the space.

SLASA Conference

In the June-July break I had the privilege of flying to Adelaide to attend and present at the SLASA Captivate Curate Connect Conference. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with school library staff from South Australia and even a few who had travelled from Victoria to attend.

During those holidays I also received wonderful news that I had been successful in a grant application for the junior library. It meant our requests to update the space would be affordable and we could also purchase new shelving and put some thought into other changes we wanted to make to the space. It was honestly a relief as I thought it meant we’d finally have some action to repair the junior library space, plus the opportunity to update it to better meet the needs of our staff and students.

Term 3

In Term 3 we finally welcomed a new member to the team to replace the team member who had retired. They were a welcome and much-needed addition to the team. We started the term off with a project to buy Australian books for our international students. It was a fun project (being totally upfront, my Library Tech did all the work) but it meant we got to have some fun shopping trips and if you know we at all, the AmazingLibraryTech and I can SHOP, people.

I ventured to Cairns for a day to work with the incredible Cairns Catholic Diocese School Library on strategic planning and collection development, which was such an amazing opportunity. They are doing incredible things in that part of the world in school libraries, led by the amazing Alison Hansen. Term 3 is of course Book Week term. Plans were slightly different thanks to the junior library operating out their temporary space and the team did an incredible job to plan activities and events that highlighted Australian literacy and reading. While most classes needing a space for term2 moved back to their building, the Innovation Precinct continued to host a classes that needed wheelchair access to a space. We also entirely emptied the makerspace area to turn it into an art gallery to host the year 12 final work showcase. This coincided with Book Week, so along with a few other events, it became the focus of our Book Week efforts in the secondary school. We also attended a STEM conference and launched a robotics extra curriculum group. Thanks to collaboration with Technologies department we installed a drone cage in the Innovation Precinct and our podcasting and greenscreen setups got a lot of use and I ran digital literacy classes for our year 6s.

Genrefication of the Junior Library Collection and Progress on the Junior Library Refurb

We genrefyed the fiction collection in the junior library. At the start of the term, I also was given two additional roles that sit outside of the library and what I usually have to oversee. One I managed to push back on but the other became a focus of mine over the next semester to try and complete the project. Meanwhile, our quick excitement about the more extensive redesign of the junior library faded when no progress seemed to be happening to the space, though it gave us time to refine our ideas and settle on a design we truly loved and felt reflected our school library vision and mission and school community. Work on the junior library space finally started on the junior library space and by the end of the term, progress was looking good, but I can honestly term 2 and 3 of this year completely exhausted me.

 

ALIA IFLA Reading Seminar

I joined the ALIA IFLA seminar on Reading at the start of the IFLA conference in Brisbane. It was an effort to reinvigorate my practice for the term ahead. It was so amazing to connect with library staff from a range of sectors from around the world and there were some incredible ideas and research shared.

 

Term 4

Term 4 was ahead of us. We launched our VR headsets for immersive experience in English and Science. We rearranged collections in the secondary library, supported multiple whole cohort orientation and buddy days in the Innovation Precinct, and I ran a memoir unit for the Year 7 classes.

Genrefying Junior Non-Fiction and More Renovation Drama

The Library Team also began work to genrefy the non-fiction collection. The junior school teacher librarian did the most incredible curriculum deep dive to ensure the collections were aligned with the curriculum and teacher needs. We weeded heavily multiple times and then started a reinvigoration process of the junior non-fiction collection. That meant buying books, which was a joy.

In week 3 we were given access to the renovated junior library space and it looked beautiful. Our choice of new carpet and colours was so relaxing and peaceful, making the space so welcoming. The bench and wall removal really opened up the space and it smelt fresh and clean and new. Sadly, I immediately noticed leaks in the brand new ceiling and while we continued to be allowed to access the space, more time was needed to investigate.

Due to a massive move in the junior school, we needed to receive all classroom resources, which we put in the new junior library space on temporary furniture. We also used the space to sort the non-fiction collection we were genrefying, and undertake an overhaul of the readers. Sadly, we then suffered a second major water incident, through the same leaking windows that had not been repaired. The collection began to soak up the humidity and moisture in the space and begin wrinkling and warping. I was head deep into completing the other project that had been assigned to me that sat outside of my library role and so I am so grateful to the library team who brought this to my attention and ensured we acted. That afternoon, the library team, assisted by one incredible maintenance worker who so kindly stayed after hours to help, pulled the collection back out of the space and back into our temporary area. Not quite all the collection had been returned to the space, but all the classroom resources had been so there were hundreds of thousands of resources to move, up a steep ramp into an adjoining space. The builders brought in dehumidifiers and we worked to save the collection, with fans and airflow. Thanks to the tireless, unrelenting efforts of the library team we did save it.

Thanks to the experts at ALIA and the national archives who offered their advice. What gets me in these situations is the decision making. Did I do the right thing in making the call to move the collection out? After much questioning myself and worry, it took another 24 hours to see that yes, I did. Out of the damp space and thanks to the fans we installed and dehumidifiers, the books lost their wrinkles. The junior library space, despite the dehumidifiers and fans, continued to absorb water and take on a damp smell. Our beautiful, renovated space. As I write this, the space is still a damp mess. The leaking windows have finally been replaced and the water damaged ceiling tiles replaced, but now the space is covered in plaster dust and still smells like damp. Brand new carpet tiles had to be removed when a dehumidifier leaked on them. Our plans to install furniture in mid December had to be delayed. Of course, in between all this, all the usual end of year things still needed to be done, including a mad rush on use of the makerspace, hosting end of year events in the Innovation Precinct, moving furniture and clearing out an area that is going to be used for another group and finishing off my-external-to-the-library project.

Things I’ve learnt this year

I already knew this, but by gosh I have the most incredible library team. Like, phenomenal. They will stop at nothing to ensure staff and students have access to resources, that those resources are in the very best condition they can be, and be flexible and work with everything that is thrown at them. They support each other and me and they just never, ever give up.

I’ve learnt a lot about how to save a damp-impacted book.

The whole Library team know how to move a school library collection very quickly.

I’ve also come to realise that sheer passion and effort alone is not enough to sustain you when you face these kind of challenges for extended periods of time.

Finally, I know grateful I am for the people who support me and for the opportunities I have.

Professional life – presenting and writing

I’ve had a lot of incredible opportunities this year to connect with school library staff around Australia and the world. I started in February presenting virtually at the Future of School Libraries Conference hosted by the San Jose State University School of Information. I recorded episode 261 of the School Librarians United podcast with Amy Hermon, talking about The PD Book.

In March I joined a team from ALIA presenting online to the ACARA English Network about how school libraries support the English curriculum. In May I joined EduWebinar for a webinar about Designing the School Library. In June I presented at the SLASA Conference in SA. In July I joined the Cairns Catholic Diocese School Library Network PD day. In September, I presented a webinar for WASLA on reinvigorating a school library collection. And I concluded the year in November at the SLAV conference in Melbourne.

 

My writing really took a back seat to the challenges at work this year. I shared 54 posts, again down from last year’s 59 posts. And again my reading this year was pretty much non-existent. I reviewed very few books this year. My lack of reading is troubling to me, but it does offer me insight into some of the reasons our students might struggle to read, overwhelmed with other tasks they need to complete, competing with social media and unable to switch off enough to pick up a book and concentrate on the story.

My most popular posts this year were the Book Week 2024 Theme Announcement, Double-Sided Bookmarks with Canva, Easy Costume Ideas from things in your Wardrobe, Book Week 2024 Resources and Downloadables, and the Benefits of Reading Non-Fiction. I shared 54 posts, again down from last year’s 59 posts. And again my reading this year was pretty much non-existent. I reviewed very few books this year. My top reviews were again Divine Rivals and Icebreaker (nope, not the TikTok popular Icebreaker, but a gay YA sports romance, which I love), The Way I Used To Be and Little White Lies, all shared in previous years.

Social media

I continue to share on social media, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Threads and BlueSky. I’ve found Threads and BlueSky are only now coming into their own in the school library sector. I think BlueSky might become a great place for professional networking but it has a lot of politics, something that I don’t find on Instagram. I struggle to feel comfortable on LinkedIn, but have found it incredibly helpful for finding professional development opportunities.

The Aussie Book Week Facebook Group has continued to grow with over 11,600 members, which is incredible.

Successes

In last year’s Year in Review I shared successes from the year. This year, all I can say is I survived. Writing this reflection has shown me just how many tasks we as a Library Team achieved, how many mould and water disasters we faced, how many times the Library Team stepped up to face the next challenge or helped others do the same. I have advocated for my team and library continuously in tough circumstances. I can honestly say I don’t think I achieved anything that I wanted to this year. My focus on reading culture, information literacy, and digital literacy were all outweighed due to other urgent priorities that arose or my efforts were directly targeted and sidelined. These will remain my priorities for 2025.

Goals for 2025

My number one goal for 2025 is bringing balance back into my life. I don’t want work or should I say the challenges at work to consume my life any more. I want to have time to focus on my goals for the school library, have time to get back into writing, reading, reviewing and creating professional development resources for school library staff. And I want more time to take care of myself, kindle my creative interests and switch off more. I know doing that will help me to continue to tackle those challenges at work and continue to support my team through them.

With a new year ahead, I’ve already decided on my word for 2025 and that is Balance. In 2024, work, work dramas, work stress, stressful people at work and work challenges dominated and I’d like to restore some balance to my life. I’ll always give my all to what I do at work, but I also want to have time to focus on other professional goals, my writing and professional learning work, get back into reading and maybe even reviewing, as well as more times for walks, baking, puzzles, Lego and other things I enjoy. That is my challenge – no, my promise – to myself.

 

I hope 2024 was everything you wanted it to be. Or maybe it too delivered you far more than you were expecting. What where the major challenges you faced and what were the successes? What are your goals for 2025?