Training school library staff to cater for diversity1

Abstract

This article presents an overview research conducted into staff development opportunities for school librarians and for teachers, to improve their skills in catering for the needs of disabled students. The findings of a four year study which evaluated school library services offered to students with disabilities in two Australian states, Victoria and New South Wales, are then discussed. Results regarding staff development activities for school library staff, that would assist them in providing for the information needs of students with disabilities, showed that there are currently limited opportunities for school librarians to participate in such programmes, beyond those offered in individual schools to the teaching staff as a whole. Staff development programmes that cover policy formulation, collection development and adaptive technology aspects of library services for students with disabilities are needed.