2022 School Library Survey Report Australia and New Zealand

Softlink conducted the Australian and New Zealand School Library Survey on behalf of the school library sector, to explore significant trends and issues affecting school libraries. 

The 2022 report provides a summary of survey findings from all schools, in addition to reports on the participating Australian Government, Independent or Private and Catholic Education schools and insights from the participating New Zealand schools.

Data and analysis captured includes school library budgets and staffing, the availability of digital resources and other trends in school library services. Today, the report has grown to become key to understanding and advocating the role of school libraries and library professionals to education decision makers, industry associations and networks.

To download the full report, visit our resources page 

About the Survey

The Australian Federal Government called for submissions to the 'Inquiry into school libraries and Teacher Librarians in Australian schools' in 2010. Softlink conducted a survey of Australian school libraries to gather data, which was instrumental in providing a distinctive and well-informed response to the inquiry.

Since then, Softlink has been conducting annual surveys of Australian school libraries, as well as extending this to include New Zealand and UK schools in 2015. This ongoing survey aims to shed light on the challenges and opportunities faced by school libraries and to track changes, impacts, and trends over time.

The latest Softlink Australian School Library Survey was conducted late last year. All schools in Australia were invited to participate, including those that are not Softlink customers, through various channels such as email, Twitter, LinkedIn, OZTL_Net, and promotions by Softlink's partners, associates, and school library groups. A total of 900 schools participated in the survey, which is an impressive achievement.

Key Findings Summary - Australia 

Key findings for Australia from the 2022 Survey include:

• 54% of respondents indicated that they think their school library budget is adequate.
• 55% indicated that they think their school library is adequately staffed.
• 57% of respondents reported that their library budget had not changed from the previous year, 17% reported it had increased, and 26% reported it had decreased. 
• 62% of respondents reported no change to their staffing levels from the previous year, 9% reported it had increased, and 29% reported a decrease.
• When asked about their school library space, respondents reported that the following best describes their library:
  • Classroom library/libraries: 1%
  • Designated library area in an open-plan space: 17%
  • Designated library in a separate room/classroom/floor/building: 70%
  • Shared space: 5%
  • Other: 3%
• The top 3 responsibilities of school library staff (over and above managing the collection) were:
  • Curating relevant information and resources to support the curriculum (57%)
  • Providing regular timetabled library lessons (53%)
  • Performing a teaching role (47%)
• The top 3 avenues school library staff use to promote the library and resources were:
  • School library displays (91%)
  • In the school newsletter (52%)
  • Via the Library Management System (41%)
• When asked about the level of support the school library receives from the Senior Leadership Team, 39% of respondents reported a high to very high level of support, 34% reported a moderate level of support, and 26% reported a low to very low level of support.
• When asked about the level of teacher engagement with the library, 35% of respondents reported a high to very high level of engagement, 41% reported a moderate level of engagement, and 25% reported a low to very low level of support.
• When asked about the level of student engagement with the library, 58% of respondents reported a high to very high level of engagement, 35% reported a moderate level of engagement, and 7% reported a low to very low level of engagement.

Key Findings Summary - New Zealand

Key findings for New Zealand from the 2022 Survey include:

• 63% of respondents indicated that they think their school library budget is adequate.
• 57% indicated that they think their school library is adequately staffed.
• 58% of respondents reported that the library budget had not changed from the previous year, 3% reported it had increased, and 39% reported it had decreased. 
• 77% of school library respondents reported no change to their staffing levels from the previous year, 3% reported it had increased, and 20% reported a decrease.
• When asked about their school library space, respondents reported that the following best describes their library:
  • Designated library area in an open-plan space: 14%
  • Designated library in a separate room/classroom/floor/building: 83%
  • Shared space: 3%
• The top 3 avenues school library staff use to promote the library and resources were:
  • School library displays (97%)
  • In the school newsletter (59%)
  • Via the Library Management System (74%)

Thank you 

We extend our thank you to all the participants of the 2022 Australian and New Zealand School Library Survey. 

The survey results serve as a crucial reference to monitor the changes, impacts, and trends in school libraries. Softlink will collaborate with industry associations to advocate for the significance of school libraries and teacher librarians to Education Ministers, departments, decision-makers, and industry networks.

We appreciate your willingness to share information about your school library, which enables us to present this valuable, annual analysis of school libraries. We would also like to express our thanks to the School Library Associations and Partners who aided in promoting the Survey. 

We strive to include all the promoters of the survey, but in case we missed anyone, please reach out to us so we can update the page accordingly.

Softlink takes pride in sponsoring and growing this initiative. We continuously strive to enhance and refine the School Library Survey, reports, and whitepapers. If you wish to provide feedback, please send an email to communications@softlinkint.com.

Additional Resources

The Softlink School Library Surveys are used to produce a range reports and feature documents to help inform and support school library staff and the greater school community. A selection of these have been included below, to view more visit softlinkint.com/resources/reports-and-whitepapers/

Australian school libraries share: The best thing about working in a school library

Published in 2022, this feature shares comments from the 2021 surveys demonstrating the love and passion school library staff have and what they love most about coming to work. It also shares comments that demonstrate the love the school has for the library.

New Zealand school libraries share: The best thing about working in a school library

The comments from the 2021 survey are shared in this feature, highlighting what New Zealand respondents enjoy about their library or role.

Qualifications held by school library staff in Australia

This feature shares comments from the 2021 survey, highlighting qualifications held by school library staff in Australia.

Qualifications held by school library staff in New Zealand

This feature shares comments from the 2021 survey, highlighting qualifications held by school library staff in New Zealand.

Our team consistently seeks ways to enhance and polish the School Library Survey, along with its related reports and whitepapers. Should you have any feedback, we welcome your suggestions. Please feel free to send us an email at communications@softlinkint.com.