In this session, participants will explore how school librarians can take the lead in fostering a culture of whole-school literacy within their schools. By sharing a case study on implementing a whole-school free reading program, we will examine strategies for engaging educators, students, and the community. Additionally, we will discuss how to approach a whole school literacy audit to get a starting point of literacy within a school. Attendees will leave equipped with actionable insights to implement similar initiatives in their own schools.

Attendees will learn:

• Understanding the role of the school library in promoting literacy across the curriculum
• Strategies for initiating and leading a whole-school free reading program
• Engaging stakeholders (leadership, teachers, parents, and students) in the planning process
• Creating an inclusive and motivating reading environment
• Showcasing the impact of student voice on the program
• Best practices for fostering collaboration between the library and other school stakeholders
• How to begin a whole-school literacy audit across multiple subject areas/departments