Help us ensure every student has a library to escape to, learn from and read in.
Research
There is so much out there - see below!
Also check out:
LIANZA : Library and Information Association of NZ Aotearoa -
ReadNZ -
National Library - Services to Schools
https://natlib.govt.nz/schools
SLANZA : School Library Association of NZ Aotearoa. https://www.slanza.org.nz/
Read these...
AOTEAROA NZ:
Boughton, B., Le Fevre, M., & Frescop, C. (2020). Characteristics and experiences of New Zealand children that may influence reading for pleasure(Final report to the Children and Families Research Fund). Ministry of Social Development. https://www.msd.govt.nz/documents/about-msd-and-our-work/publications-resources/research/children-and-families-research-fund/characteristics-and-experiences-of-new-zealand-children-that-may-influence-reading-for-pleasure-final-report.pdf
Boyask, R., Wall, C., Harrington, C., Milne, J., Couch, D. (2021). Reading for Pleasure: For the Collective Good of Aotearoa New Zealand. National Library of New Zealand. https://natlib.govt.nz/about-us/collaborative-projects/communities-of-readers/putoi-rito-communities-of-readers-reports/reading-for-pleasure-for-the-collective-good-of-aotearoa-new-zealand
Education Gazette. (2024, August 5). Strong reading culture turns the page on literacy challenges. Ministry of Education. https://gazette.education.govt.nz/articles/strong-reading-culture-turns-the-page-on-literacy-challenges/
Education Hub. (2024). ‘School libraries as safe spaces promoting literacy and wellbeing’. https://theeducationhub.org.nz/school-libraries-as-safe-spaces-promoting-literacy-and-wellbeing/Ministry of Education.
Gerritsen, J. (2023, December 6) NZ records worst ever PISA international test results, amid global decline. RNZ. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/504020/nz-records-worst-ever-pisa-international-test-results-amid-global-decline=
International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement. (n.d.). New Zealand: PIRLS 2021 national report. PIRLS 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2025, from https://pirls2021.org/new-zealand/
Johnston, M. (2023, December 5). PISA results: Why New Zealand’s education system is failing.NZ Herald. Retrieved August 9, 2025, from https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/pisa-results-michael-johnston-on-why-new-zealands-education-system-is-failing/BMMKL5VYIZDZTLX4BORRCIWPLU/
Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa. (n.d.-a). Librarians’ role in creating readers. Services to Schools. https://natlib.govt.nz/schools/reading-engagement/libraries-supporting-readers/librarians-role-in-creating-readersNational
Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa. (n.d.-b). ‘Reading for pleasure — a door to success’. Services to Schools. https://natlib.govt.nz/schools/reading-engagement/understanding-reading-engagement/reading-for-pleasure-a-door-to-success#why-reading-for-pleasure-mattersNational
Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa. (n.d.-c). Strategies to engage students as readers. Services to Schools. https://natlib.govt.nz/schools/reading-engagement/strategies-to-engage-students-as-readersNicol-Williams, K. (2024, September 12).
Little, P. (2023, August 23). Why are schools sacrificing libraries despite plummeting literacy rates? New Zealand Listener. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/why-are-schools-sacrificing-libraries-despite-plummeting-literacy-rates/
McNaughton, S. (2020). The literacy landscape in Aotearoa New Zealand: What we know, what needs fixing and what we should prioritise. Office of the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor. https://www.dpmc.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2022-04/PMCSA-20-15_The-Literacy-Landscape-in-Aotearoa-New-Zealand-Full-report-final.pdf
National Library. School Libraries. https://natlib.govt.nz/schools/school-libraries
National Library. (n.d.) Reading Engagement. https://natlib.govt.nz/schools/reading-engagement
OECD. (2022). PISA 2022 Results (Volume I and II) - Country Notes: New Zealand https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/pisa-2022-results-volume-i-and-ii-country-notes_ed6fbcc5-en/new-zealand_33941739-en.html#section-d1e152
Office of the Auditor-General New Zealand. (2024). Appendix 2: Information about student achievement, progress, and proficiency[Appendix]. In Ministry of Education: Promoting equitable educational outcomes. https://oag.parliament.nz/2024/educational-outcomes/appendix2.htm
Pūtoi Rito Communities of Readers — reports. (n.d.). https://natlib.govt.nz/about-us/collaborative-projects/communities-of-readers/putoi-rito-communities-of-readers-reportsSchool libraries. (n.d.).
Proctor, R., & Eccleton, R. (2023). School library spaces, resources, and services in Aotearoa New Zealand. New Zealand Council for Educational Research. https://www.nzcer.org.nz/sites/default/files/downloads/School%20library%20spaces%2C%20resources%2C%20and%20services%20in%20Aotearoa%20New%20Zealand%20%28Full%20report%29.pdf
Radio New Zealand. (2024, May 3). How bad at reading are New Zealand children? RNZ News. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/515829/how-bad-at-reading-are-new-zealand-children
Read NZ Te Pou Muramura. (2025). National Reading Survey. Horizon Research. https://www.read-nz.org/images/assets/8126/1
R., & Smith, J. (2025, August 3). The Reckoning: Every student deserves a school librarian in their lives. The Sapling. https://www.thesapling.co.nz/the-reckoning-every-student-deserves-a-school-librarian-in-their-lives
LIBRARIANS
The American Association of School Librarians presents an advocy toolkit on its website.
SD State Library:
This guide is designed to help school librarians make a compelling case for certified library staffing at every school level. With the growing needs of students in literacy, research, digital citizenship, and information management, the role of a certified librarian is more essential than ever. This guide will equip you with strategies, resources, and evidence to advocate for the certified librarian positions needed to support students, educators, and the wider school community.
https://library.sd.gov/LIB/SLC/doc/Guide-SDSL-SchLibAdvocacy.pdf
Visit the Advocacy Resource Center of the the American Library Association.
Australia Reads:
https://australiareads.org.au/news/school-libraries-benefits/
Education Gazette:
Merga, M. K. (2022, September 12). School libraries as safe spaces promoting literacy and wellbeing. The Education Hub. https://theeducationhub.org.nz/school-libraries-as-safe-spaces-promoting-literacy-and-wellbeing/
SCIS:
School Libraries Making a Difference is a UK website – and a brochure [PDF] – devoted to advocacy of school libraries
LITERACY:
Better start literacy approach. (n.d.). Better Start Literacy Approach. https://www.betterstartapproach.com/Merga, M. (2023, September 26).
‘Government announces more structured literacy resources for schools’. 1News. https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/09/12/government-announces-more-structured-literacy-resources-for-schools/
Library of New Zealand Aotearoa Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa. (n.d.). ‘Books and strategies to use alongside structured literacy approaches’. Services to Schools. https://natlib.govt.nz/schools/lending-service/books-strategies-to-use-alongside-structured-literacy-approachesNational
SINGAPORE
Loh, C.E. Chin Ee Loh – Reading by Design. https://www.lohchinee.com/
Loh, C. E. (2023). Designing future-ready school libraries: Empowering stakeholders for evidence-based change. International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). https://repository.ifla.org/handle/123456789/2764
Loh, C. E., & Sun, B. (2021) Reading Habits of Singapore Teenagers. Singapore: National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University. https://repository.nie.edu.sg/server/api/core/bitstreams/ac3c57d8-cf0c-4253-923b-8b6ae15c1a09/content
Loh, C. E., Ellis, M., Paculdar, A. A., & Wan, Z. H. (2017). Building a successful reading culture through the school library: A case study of a Singapore secondary school. IFLA Journal, 43(4), 335–347. https://doi.org/10.1177/0340035217732069
Loh, C. E., Tam, A., & Okada, D. (2019, October). School library perspectives from Asia: Trends, innovations and challenges in Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. https://doi.org/10.29173/iasl7258
Loh, C.E. (2018). Envisioning the School Library of the Future: A 21stCentury Framework. Singapore: National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University.
Loh, C.E. (2018). School Library Perspectives Survey Report 2018. Singapore: National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University. https://repository.nie.edu.sg/server/api/core/bitstreams/4703367a-8a4c-4c40-afe4-9de74ae48e1d/content
Loh, C.E. (2019). Design Patterns for School Libraries: A Preliminary Report of the Building a Reading Culture Study 2019. National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. https://repository.nie.edu.sg/entities/publication/1c74986a-adbd-4aba-be66-8f7593b8be82
National Library Board. (2021). National reading habits study on teenagers: Report. National Library Board Singapore.
OECD. (2022). Education GPS – Singapore. https://gpseducation.oecd.org/CountryReports?primaryCountry=SGP
Reading by design – Singapore. https://www.readingbydesignsg.org/
UK
BookTrust: Getting children reading. https://www.booktrust.org.uk/
BookTrust. (2025). Reading Rights: Books build a brighter future — Interim report (Spring 2025). BookTrust. https://files.booktrust.org.uk/docs/documents/Reading-Rights-Interim-Report-Spring-2025-low-res-b.pdf.pdf?v=1748341180
CILIP, CILIP Scotland, & CILIP Cymru Wales. (2023). Great school libraries: The impact of school libraries on learning. CILIP. https://www.greatschoollibraries.org.uk/
CILIP - https://www.cilip.org.uk/
CILIPS – https://www.cilips.org.uk
CILIP SLG -
https://www.cilip.org.uk/members/group_content_view.asp?group=201313&id=687966
Clark, C. (2025). Children and young people’s reading in 2025. National Literacy Trust. https://nlt.cdn.ngo/media/documents/Children_and_young_peoples_reading_in_2025_bqtGfIs.pdf
Clark, C., & Teravainen-Goff, A. (2024). Libraries for primaries 2023/24 evaluation. National Literacy Trust. https://literacytrust.org.uk/research-services/research-reports/libraries-for-primaries-202324-
evaluation/
Go All In - National Year of Reading 2026 https://goallin.org.uk/
Government UK. (2023). Leading Literacy National Professional Qualification. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/leading-literacy-national-professional-qualification
Great School Libraries. https://www.greatschoollibraries.org.uk
Great School Libraries (2023) BMG Research Report: National Survey to scope school library provision in the UK. https://www.greatschoollibraries.org.uk/2023research
House of Commons Library. (2023). Improving children’s access to books - House of Commons Library, https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2023-0118/.
Libraries for Primaries. https://www.librariesforprimaries.org.uk
Lindorff, A., Stiff, J. & Kayton, H. (2024). PIRLS 2021: National Report for England. Department for Education. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/661667a756df202ca4ac0538/PIRLS_2021_national_report_for_england.pdf
Lynch, É. (2024, December 10). The value and impact of Scotland’s libraries: Main summary of school librarian preliminary findings [PDF report]. Scottish Book Trust. https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/uploads/store/mediaupload/9657/file/Main%20summary%20of%20school%20librarian%20preliminary%20findings.pdf
National Literacy Trust – Libraries for Primaries. https://www.librariesforprimaries.org.uk
National Literacy Trust. (2023). Unlocking the power of reading. National Literacy Trust. https://www.librariesforprimaries.org.uk/_files/ugd/69334c_4ceef106b52a40048545787fcb5af139.pdf
Ofsted. (2006). Good school libraries: Making a difference to learning. Office for Standards in Education. https://dera.ioe.ac.uk/7878/
Open University. Reading for Pleasure Programme and Website. https://ourfp.org/
Rudkin, G., & Wood, C. (2019). Understanding the impact and characteristics of school libraries and reading spaces(Report). National Literacy Trust. https://nlt.cdn.ngo/media/documents/Libraries_project_review_2019_-_final.pdfhttps://nlt.cdn.ngo/media/documents/Libraries_project_review_2019_-_final.pdf
School Library Association – UK. https://www.sla.org.uk/
School Library Association. (2023). The impact of school libraries on learning. School Library Association. https://www.sla.org.uk/common/Uploaded%20files/Resources/Research/impact-school-libraries.pdf
Scottish Book Trust. https://www.scottishbooktrust.com
Scottish Book Trust. (2023). Key benefits of school libraries [Summary document]. Scottish Book Trust. https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/uploads/store/mediaupload/8149/file/Key%20benefits%20of%20school%20libraries%202023.pdf
Scottish Government. (2023). Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA 2022): Scotland’s results – highlights. Learning Directorate, Scottish Government.
Webber, C. & McGeown, S. (2024). Supporting Teenagers’ Reading Enjoyment and Engagement: A Guide for Teachers and Librarians. The University of Edinburgh and Scottish Book Trust. U.K.
Webber, C., Bohan, K., Collins, H., Ewens, J., Wilkinson, K., & McGeown, S. (2024). Beyond books: High school librarians as champions of pupil inclusivity, autonomy, and reader development. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 0(0).
OTHER
ILFA. (2026). School Library Advocacy Kit. https://www.ifla.org/publications/school-library-advocacy-kit/
Merga, M. K. (2018). Reading engagement for tweens and teens: What would make them read more? https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/reading-engagement-for-tweens-and-teens-9781440867989/
Merga, M. K. (2022, September 12). School libraries as safe spaces promoting literacy and wellbeing. The Education Hub. https://theeducationhub.org.nz/school-libraries-as-safe-spaces-promoting-literacy-and-wellbeing/
Merga, M. K. (2022). School libraries supporting literacy and wellbeing (1st ed.). Facet Publishing. https://www.routledge.com/School-Libraries-Supporting-Literacy-and-Wellbeing/Merga/p/book/9781783305841
Mol, S. E., & Bus, A. G. (2011). To read or not to read: A meta-analysis of print exposure from infancy to early adulthood. Psychological Bulletin, 137(2), 267.
Mullis, I. V. S., Martin, M. O., Foy, P., Kelly, D. L., & Fishbein, B. (2021). Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) 2021 international results in reading. TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center. https://timssandpirls.bc.edu/pirls2021/
Illinois Library Association. (2023, September 1). My Turn: Yes, school libraries still exist, but to keep them is going to require you. ILA Reporter. https://www.ila.org/publications/ila-reporter/article/188/my-turn-yes-school-libraries-still-exist-but-to-keep-them-is-going-to-require-you