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As the year winds down and we approach the festive season, it’s the perfect time to pause and reflect. What made 2024 truly memorable? For us, it was the shared moments—the collaborations, the successes, and the stories of impact from our library community.
At Softlink Education, we are as passionate as ever about what we do. Empowering school libraries, supporting educators, and fostering a love of reading in students isn’t just work for us—it’s a purpose we share with you. Every new feature we develop, every guide we create, and every success story we hear reminds us of the profound impact libraries have on learning and on communities.
This year was one of incredible growth, and we were excited to welcome 168 new schools into the Oliver community. Every new school we partner with represents a step forward in supporting the vital role school libraries play in education. We’re constantly inspired by the passion and creativity of our librarians, and we’re excited to see Oliver helping more schools instil a love of reading for their students.
This year, Oliver v5 continued to evolve, supporting school libraries with powerful tools designed to enhance workflows, improve accessibility, and create more inclusive experiences. We’re proud to share that we introduced a total of 182 new features to Oliver in 2024, each inspired by the needs and feedback of our library community.
These updates reflect our commitment to making library management as seamless and efficient as possible, allowing librarians to focus on what truly matters—connecting students with resources that inspire and empower their learning journeys.
Curious to learn more about what’s new in Oliver? Check out our short feature videos here to see how these innovations are helping libraries thrive.
This year, LearnPath, our curriculum-aligned content hub, continued to grow, providing educators with valuable resources to support teaching and inspire student learning. We’re thrilled to share that we added over 200 new guides in 2024 created by our qualified and experienced in-house teacher librarian, Kerianne. These guides are designed to help educators bring subjects to life, encouraging students to think critically and make meaningful connections. To access these new guides, be sure to read our blog here for simple steps on how to import them into your system.
We also collaborated with school library staff through a hands-on LearnPath workshop, led by Kerianne Williams. This interactive online session featured live demonstrations and practical exercises, showing how LearnPath’s tailored guides can enhance teaching and learning. Next year, we’re excited to host an in-person LearnPath workshop at our Brisbane head office — click here for more information!
Additionally, a recent LearnPath case study showcased the real-world benefits of integrating LearnPath into school libraries. By tailoring research guides to specific curriculum needs, this NSW school saw improved student engagement, better research skills, and stronger collaboration between teachers and library staff. One teacher-librarian noted how LearnPath empowered students to access reliable, curated information, boosting their confidence and fostering a love of learning.
What stands out most this year is the incredible spirit of the school library community. From inspiring success stories like those from the Cambodian Children’s Fund to supporting initiatives like the Mirragin Gala Evening at Lourdes Hill College, every story reminded us why libraries matter.
One of the most rewarding moments of 2024 was partnering with the Cambodian Children’s Fund (CCF) to donate an Oliver library system to the Neeson Cripps Academy. CCF is dedicated to transforming the lives of children from the former Steung Meanchey dumpsite, giving them access to education and a future filled with hope.
Managed through Oliver, the CCF library has become more accessible and engaging, helping students discover new stories, deepen their knowledge, and build confidence.
Teachers like Menghour and Sav have seen how Oliver inspires students to read more, collaborate, and explore new topics. Grade 12 student Pisey summed it up best: “Reading is like going on an adventure. A book can take you anywhere, and Oliver helps make that possible.”
This collaboration highlights what’s possible when technology, education, and advocacy come together. We’re honoured to support CCF’s mission and look forward to continuing to empower young learners around the world. Click here to read the full case study.
In 2024, we were proud to be major sponsors of the Mirragin Gala Evening at Lourdes Hill College. This special event celebrated the achievements and cultural heritage of First Nations students and supported the ongoing success of the Mirragin Program. The program is dedicated to empowering First Nations students in Years 7-12 by fostering a sense of belonging, cultural pride, and academic success.
Our involvement reflects our commitment to promoting equity in education and recognising the importance of culturally inclusive learning environments. We look forward to continuing our support for Lourdes Hill College and the Mirragin Program as they empower the next generation of First Nations leaders.
Once again, we were delighted to sponsor the trophies for the Kids’ Lit Quiz for the Australia, New Zealand and World final, a fantastic event that supports literacy, teamwork, and the joy of reading. Held in Canberra, Australia, the 2024 World Final brought together top young readers from around the globe, showcasing their incredible knowledge of literature.
The competition was fierce, with the final standings as follows:
The Kids’ Lit Quiz is an international phenomenon that motivates students to read widely, celebrate literature, and challenge themselves. By supporting this event, we continue to promote a culture of reading and curiosity in students. It was thrilling to witness the enthusiasm and camaraderie among participants, and we extend our congratulations to all the teams who took part.
These sponsorships are part of our ongoing mission to support literacy and encourage young readers to explore, learn, and connect through stories. We’re excited to see the Kids’ Lit Quiz continue to inspire future generations of book lovers!
This year, we proudly celebrated the anniversaries of several invaluable team members whose dedication has been instrumental in Softlink's success:
5 years: Philip Peterson
10 years: Candice Nicholls
25 years: Tony Parfitt
These milestones are a testament to the commitment of our team, whose expertise and passion continue to drive Softlink forward.
This year, we have welcomed new talented professionals to the Softlink team:
These individuals bring diverse skills and fresh perspectives to our organisation, enhancing our ability to innovate and adapt to the evolving needs of the education sector.
Our ongoing partnership with Elizabeth Hutchinson, a renowned Chartered librarian and library advocate, continued to make a significant impact. Elizabeth's expertise in inquiry-based learning has helped us promote the importance of school libraries in developing critical thinking and research skills. Through joint webinars, insightful articles, and advocacy campaigns, Elizabeth has played a key role in raising awareness about the value of well-resourced libraries. Her dedication inspires librarians around the world and supports our mission of equipping students with the skills they need for the future. Explore more about our collaboration with Elizabeth Hutchinson here.
Our partnership with Mackin is built on shared values and a mutual commitment to advancing school libraries worldwide. Combining Mackin’s outstanding customer service with Softlink’s technical expertise, we launched MackinVision, a library solution tailored specifically to the US market. With both companies boasting over 40 years of experience, this collaboration exemplifies our dedication to continually evolving education solutions and supporting school libraries on a global scale. Learn more about MackinVision here.
Softlink will be closed from Friday, 20th December, and we'll be reopening our doors on Monday, 6th January. During this period, our team will be taking a well-deserved break to celebrate the holidays with family and friends. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this time. From the whole Softlink team, have a safe and happy holiday season.
As we reflect on 2024, we’re filled with gratitude for the vibrant community of educators, librarians, and students who inspire us every day. This year, we focused on growth, customer success, and advocacy, but the journey doesn’t end here.
In 2025, we’re looking forward to:
Thank you for being part of our journey. Together, let’s make 2025 even more remarkable!
Oliver Library Software
LearnPath
