Madison's Library
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madisonslibrary.bsky.social
Madison's Library
@madisonslibrary.bsky.social
Passionate about school libraries.
Teacher Librarian, Professional Reader
Book reviews, school librarian resources and professional learning at madisonslibrary.com
Hang around any school and the word curriculum is one you’ll hear a lot. It’s the roadmap teachers follow — the planned sequence of knowledge and skills that shapes what students learn and how they grow.
But step into the school library and the question might be asked: does the library have a…
Does the school library have a curriculum?
Hang around any school, and the word curriculum is one you’ll hear a lot. It’s the roadmap teachers follow, the planned sequence of knowledge and skills that shape what students learn and how they grow. But step into the school library, and the question might be asked: does the school library have a curriculum?
madisonslibrary.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:37 AM
To say this is a jam-packed edition of my monthly professional learning opportunities list feels like an understatement. There are so many incredible articles, reflections, frameworks, webinars and resources to help you with your professional goals this month. From AI (and lots of it) to keeping…
Professional Learning: November 2025
To say this is a jam-packed edition of my monthly professional learning opportunities list feels like an understatement. There are so many incredible articles, reflections, frameworks, webinars and resources to help you with your professional goals this month. From AI (and lots of it) to keeping students reading, there's something for all school library staff.
madisonslibrary.com
November 1, 2025 at 3:35 AM
Incredible presentation from Karen Eyre on how she advocates for her school library and position through the programming, events, marketing and connections she builds.
An inspiring session with lots of practical ideas and encouragement.
#SchoolLibraries #FutureLibrariesConference
October 31, 2025 at 4:12 AM
Helpful sessions at the @qldsla Future Libraries Conference from SCIS, Reading Australia and SLQ with updates and resources to use in our space and to share with our departments and teachers.

#SchoolLibraries #FutureLibrariesConference
October 31, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Massive congratulations to Kelly Dunham, the incredibly deserving winner of the @qldsla School Leader of the Year award and to Assunta Austin and Lizzy Dixon, dual recipients of the @qldsla Teacher Librarian of the year award.

#FutureLibrariesConference #SchoolLibraries #ProfessionalLearning
October 31, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Andy Griffiths kicking off the @qldsla Future Libraries Conference with a funny (of course, would you expect anything else), but also nostalgic and provoking keynote.

#FutureLibrariesConference #SchoolLibraries #ProfessionalLearning
October 31, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Excited to be at the @qldsla Future Libraries Conference.
Looking forward to a full day of learning and connecting and catching up with the amazing school library profession of Queensland, near and far.

#FutureLibrariesConference #SchoolLibraries #ProfessionalLearning
October 31, 2025 at 1:28 AM
One of the things I love most about having a genrefied library is that it is constantly evolving and allows us the flexibility to meet student needs and interests. So, when Romantasy became a big thing, we decided to jump on that trend and respond to the love our students have for romantasy. The…
Creating a Romantasy Section
One of the things I love most about having a genrefied library is that it is constantly evolving and allows us the flexibility to meet student needs and interests. So, when Romantasy became a big thing, we decided to jump on that trend and respond to the love our students have for romantasy.
madisonslibrary.com
October 29, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Author and illustrator visits are such important and exciting events to host and organise. Not only do they support our incredible local and national book creators and promote their works, they bring literature to life through engaging presentations, detail-driven writing sessions, or hands-on…
Preparing for an author / illustrator visit
Author and illustrator visits are such important and exciting events to host and organise. Not only do they support our incredible local and national book creators and promote their works, they demonstrate to students that there is a real person behind those works (important in this age of AI) and that it is a rewarding carer path. Authors and illustrators bring literature to life through engaging presentations, detail-driven writing sessions, or hands-on workshops.
madisonslibrary.com
October 21, 2025 at 9:26 AM
If you work in a school library, I’m going to assume you do some planning. Planning displays for the term, planning events or author visits, planning what books to purchase, what collection to stocktake, what section to promote next, or planning library lessons and programs. But how often do you…
Why Every School Library Needs a Strategic Plan
If you work in a school library, I’m going to assume you do some planning. Planning displays for the term, planning events or author visits, planning what books to purchase, what collection to stocktake, what section to promote next, or planning library lessons and programs. But how often do you think about how those plans work together to form a big picture or a targeted focus or direction?
madisonslibrary.com
October 10, 2025 at 8:46 AM
The start of term always feels full of opportunities. New projects, fresh ideas, requests from staff and students - it’s exciting, but if I’m honest, it can also feel overwhelming.
I often find myself with more written than shared, more ideas than time, and a to-do list that grows faster than I can…
Overwhelmed with opportunities
Do you know how many times I shared a post on my website last month? Once. Just my month professional development list. Do you know how many posts I have sitting in my draft folder, either fully written, half formed or in the ideas stage? 111. That’s oddly neat. And kind of sad. What stops me from posting? Obviously there is the eternal overthinking, imposter syndrome, and self doubt.
madisonslibrary.com
October 8, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Well, it is almost the end of another term. For me, the term break is a chance to slow down, take lots of walks and naps, plan for the term ahead, and dive back into my professional reading and writing, something that I tend to drop during the busyness of the term.

This holiday included a visit to…
Term 3 holidays reflection and wrap up
Well, it is almost the end of another term. For me, the term break is a chance to slow down, take lots of walks and naps, plan for the term ahead, and dive back into my professional reading and writing, something that I tend to drop during the busyness of the term.
madisonslibrary.com
October 5, 2025 at 7:25 AM
And just like that, another month has come and gone. October 2025. It feels like a big month in the world of school libraries. There is an abundance of professional learning opportunities for school library staff this month, so here's your list of webinars, podcast episodes, articles and more.…
Professional Learning: October 2025
And just like that, another month has come and gone. October 2025. It feels like a big month in the world of school libraries. The new school year is in full swing in the northern hemisphere and the southern hemisphere is either mid-way through a term break or just about ready to get stuck into the fast and furious pace of term 4.
madisonslibrary.com
September 30, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Welcome to September 2025. A month for learning, exploring, or maybe just recovering from the massive month of August. I am determined to get as much professional learning as I can this month, particularly around areas of interest and relevance to me. As always I have curated a wonderful list of…
Professional Learning: September 2025
Welcome to September 2025. A month for learning, exploring, or maybe just recovering from the massive month of August. I am determined to get as much professional learning as I can this month, particularly around areas of interest and relevance to me. As always I have curated a wonderful list of professional learning opportunities for you, including webinars, podcasts, articles and more.
madisonslibrary.com
August 31, 2025 at 10:01 PM
School libraries have always been more than just a room full of books. Today, in an age of AI, a need to support young people’s wellbeing, misinformation, and a complex and confusion online world, they are essential hubs for every kind of literacy students need to thrive, from media and AI literacy…
Why school libraries and their staff matter more than ever
Take a walk around my school library with me. It’s lunchtime and the place is buzzing. Upstairs there are students quietly studying. In the small rooms, students meet for boardgames club and Dungeons and Dragons club, forming friendships over shared experiences and interests. A group of year 11 students browse the shelves and sit and chat. They come across my pile of new books to show my younger classes and dive into the new non-fiction titles.
madisonslibrary.com
August 17, 2025 at 8:31 AM
We all know the phrase, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” But in school libraries, students do it every day, and they should. Book covers are designed to sell book. They’re crafted by talented illustrators and graphic designers who know how to capture attention, adhere to trends, and entice…
Don’t Judge a book by its spine: the importance of forward facing
We all know the phrase, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” But in school libraries, students do it every day, and they should. Book covers are designed to sell book. They’re crafted by talented illustrators and graphic designers who know how to capture attention, adhere to trends, and entice readers. Covers are visual invitations and works of art. In a world where we compete with screens and short attention spans, using book covers as part of our reader engagement strategy is essential.
madisonslibrary.com
August 7, 2025 at 9:20 AM
August - a massive month in the school library calendar here in Australia and a big month of preparing to return to school in the northern part of the world. Between all the Book Week preparations and celebrations or holding onto your last bit of summer, you might find time to squeeze in some…
Professional Learning: August 2025
August - a massive month in the school library calendar here in Australia and a big month of preparing to return to school in the northern part of the world. Between all the Book Week preparations and celebrations or holding onto your last bit of summer, you might find time to squeeze in some professional learning. If so, I have rather an epic list for you, with webinars, podcasts, articles and more. 
madisonslibrary.com
July 30, 2025 at 12:31 AM
At the start of this year, I wanted to really focus on my library lessons and design them to be more strategic in what I wanted to achieve. As a teacher librarian, there is so much content to cover: curriculum unit related items, reading promotion and dedicated reading time, library skills,…
Planning library lessons for the year – secondary school
At the start of this year, I wanted to really focus on my library lessons and design them to be more strategic in what I wanted to achieve. As a teacher librarian, there is so much content to cover: curriculum unit related items, reading promotion and dedicated reading time, library skills, information literacy and research skills, digital and AI literacy, as well as celebrating special events like Book Week and author visits.
madisonslibrary.com
July 22, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Cue the confetti. Madison’s Library, this little ol’ slice of the internet, is turning 10 years (and 6 months) old today. Okay, so I kind of missed the big milestone at the beginning of the year. I had no idea that I’d been writing, reviewing and sharing for 10 years. Here’s the old cliche, time…
Happy 10 Years (and 6 months) anniversary
Cue the confetti. Madison’s Library, this little ol’ slice of the internet, is turning 10 years (and 6 months) old today. Okay, so I kind of missed the big milestone at the beginning of the year. I had no idea that I’d been writing, reviewing and sharing for 10 years. Here’s the old cliche, time flies. But serious. I would have guessed maybe 5 or 6 years.
madisonslibrary.com
July 14, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Book Week is not far away. If you are a fan of dressing up or need a costume idea, why not dress up as a character from one of this year's CBCA Book of the Year Award Notables.

Here's a list of costume ideas to get you started.

#SchoolLibraries #BookWeek #BookWeek2025 #BookAnAdventure
Book Week: Easy costume ideas from the 2025 CBCA Notables
Book Week - Easy costume ideas from the 2025 CBCA Book of the Year Notables Book Week, one of the biggest literary events in the calendar. And let's face it, the highlight (and big stressor) of many Book Week celebrations is a book character dress-up parade. Finding a costume, especially at the last minute, isn't always easy. So that's why I create lists of super-easy, super-affordable and super-book-related costumes that you can throw together with wardrobe staples.
madisonslibrary.com
July 9, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Need some extra bookmarks for your Book Week celebrations? Grab the download here madisonslibrary.com/2025/07/02/b...

#BookWeek2025 #BookWeek #SchoolLibraries #BookAnAdventure
July 2, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Sharing a few Book An Adventure themed bookmarks and images, perfect for creating book bags and t-shirts.

#BookWeek2025 #BookAnAdventure #SchoolLibraries #Reading #Bookmarks #FreeDownload
Book Week 2025: Bookmarks, T-Shirts and Tote bags
Book Week 2025: Bookmarks, T-Shirts and Tote bags The CBCA Children's Book Week is an epic celebration in school libraries and classrooms across the country.  The theme for 2025 is Book An Adventure.
madisonslibrary.com
July 2, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Firstly, I'm sorry I'm sharing this a few days late (June already people, it's hard to believe), I was busy having so much fun at the ASLA conference in Geelong over the weekend. It reminded me about the importance of making time for professional learning. While I curate these lists designed to…
Professional Learning: June 2025
Firstly, I'm sorry I'm sharing this a few days late (June already people, it's hard to believe), I was busy having so much fun at the ASLA conference in Geelong over the weekend. It reminded me about the importance of making time for professional learning. While I curate these lists designed to enable us to learn from work or home, there is something very specially about connecting with other school library staff and sharing our journeys.
madisonslibrary.com
June 2, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Had the most wonderful time at the ASLA Conference in Geelong. Connecting, sharing and learning. Follow along for key takeaways, ideas and moments. #SchoolLibraries #ProfessionalLearning #ASLAConference2025
May 31, 2025 at 10:27 PM