Library Advocacy in Action - Q&A with Marianne Grasso

We had the pleasure of speaking with Marianne Grasso, who was recently recognised as ASLA’s Library Advocate for 2025. Marianne is passionate about creating inclusive, engaging spaces in school libraries and building stronger connections with her community. In this conversation, she shares her thoughts on advocacy, student voice, early literacy outreach, and the power of professional networks.

Q: Congratulations on being named ASLA’s Library Advocate for 2025! What does being a school library advocate mean to you?

For me, advocacy is about showing what’s possible in a school library. It’s about putting students first, raising awareness of the vital role libraries play, and making sure families and the wider community feel connected to what happens here.

I believe every child deserves to feel safe, valued, and included in the library. If a student doesn’t yet love reading, then it’s my job to create an environment that draws them in, makes them feel comfortable, and helps them find a way to connect. School libraries lift literacy levels, nurture creativity, and build community—so I’m always asking: how can the library help not just our students, but the whole school community?

Q: Your student-led podcast is such a great example of empowering student voice through the library. How did it come about, and what’s been the most rewarding part?

The idea began when I was presented with podcasting equipment at my previous school. We only managed to launch one episode before I moved on, but when I arrived at Thirlmere Public School, I spoke with our principal, and she was immediately supportive of the initiative. That’s how the ‘Thirlmere Express’ podcast came to life.

Our Stage 3 podcast team record it during their lunch breaks, which I think makes it even more special because they’re choosing to give up their own time to create something for the school. It’s purely audio, which keeps production simple and allows us to share it quickly with our community. The students love recording and take full ownership of the process. My role is just to guide them, press record, and handle the editing afterwards.

The team have covered everything from school events, interviewed peers, and even gone “live” from the Thirlmere Festival of Steam where students spoke with the Mayor of Wollondilly, our local Member of Parliament, and community leaders. Recently, we launched the podcast on Spotify, which has made it even easier for families and the wider community to tune in and celebrate student voices.

The most rewarding part is seeing the pride the students take in their work. They arrive prepared, professional, and excited—and the confidence they gain from having their voices heard is incredible.

The Thirlmere Express podcast crew interviewing VIPs at the Festival of Steam.

Q: Let’s talk Littlies in the Library. What is it and how does it play an important part?

Littlies in the Library is one of the initiatives I’m most proud of. Once a term, we invite preschoolers and toddlers, along with their parents, to the library for story time. It’s simple, but powerful—it helps families feel connected to the school before their children even start Kindergarten.

 It’s a joyful event where children sing, read, and create, while parents get to experience the warmth of the library as a community hub. We’ve also taken it beyond the school, partnering with places like the Wollondilly Community Leisure Centre during Book Week to reach families where they are.

The response has been wonderful. Parents love it, children love it, and it plants those early seeds of a lifelong love of reading. It’s about showing families that stories are for everyone, everywhere..

Families enjoying Littlies in the Library at the first 2026 Kinder Orientation, celebrating Book Week with stories, songs, and spider-themed crafts.

Marianne reading to families at the Wollondilly Community Leisure Centre.

Q: You also founded the Wollondilly School Library Network. Can you tell us more about that?

Yes, that’s another project close to my heart. When I moved into the area, I realised our semi-rural schools can feel quite isolated from the larger hubs like Campbelltown or Wollongong. I wanted to bring local teacher librarians together, so with the support of my principal, we launched the Wollondilly School Library Network.

We had our first meeting at Thirlmere Public School, where we invited R.A Spratt, a local children’s author, to help launch the network. Each term we meet at a different school, and it’s been fantastic to collaborate, share ideas, and simply connect with colleagues who understand the unique challenges of running a school library.

Some of our schools have fewer than 30 students, so the network is a lifeline for professional collaboration. I’ve also built a website and Teams page to share resources, showcase our work, and ensure libraries are more visible to decision-makers.

I feel strongly that every school library deserves a qualified teacher librarian. Advocacy means changing perceptions, supporting each other, and ensuring our voices are heard at every level.

Final thoughts

At the heart of everything I do is community. Whether it’s giving students a voice through the Thirlmere Express, welcoming families through Littlies in the Library, or connecting colleagues through the Wollondilly School Library Network, my goal is always to put people first.

The podcast has shown me just how much confidence and joy students gain when their voices are heard. ‘Littlies in the Library’ shows the joy and impact of introducing stories early. And the library network demonstrates that when teacher librarians work together, even the smallest schools can make a big difference.

I feel incredibly fortunate to work in a profession that blends creativity, advocacy, and leadership. A school library is so much more than shelves of books—it’s a hub of innovation, a safe place for students, and a vital connector for communities. I’ll continue to advocate for the visibility and value of libraries, because I see every day the difference they make in students’ lives.