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Speakers

An exciting line up of challenging speakers. As they are confirmed, information will become available on this page

Our Opening Keynote will be presented by:

Dr Ross Todd is associate professor in the School of Communication, Information and Library Studies at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. He is Director of the Center for International Scholarship in School Libraries (CISSL), at Rutgers University. CISSL fosters the transformative role of school libraries in 21st century schools, their integral role in the learning fabric of schools, and their role in ongoing school improvement and reform.. His primary teaching and research interests focus on adolescent information seeking and use. The research is multi-faceted, and includes: understanding how children learn and build new knowledge from information; how school librarians and classroom teachers can more effectively empower student learning; and how the development of information and critical literacies through guided inquiry and constructivist learning approaches lead to deep learning. He has published more than 130 papers and book chapters and has been an invited speaker at many international conferences, most recently in Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden, Taiwan and Australia.

Further Keynotes will be presented by:

Jon Callow

& Diversity- from Shakespeare to Second Life

Youth culture, digital literacy, e-learning, online, computer games. There is much diversity in the area of popular culture today, even in the terms and phrases that are used – memes, avatars, texting, blogs. However, we would be rather jaded if we accused new cultures of being worthless because of their excitement over new and varied language choices. ( Shakespeare introduced over 1000 news words into the English language, including the previously italicised ones). What diversity also offers us is shared experiences and commonality, as well as difference and variety. You have just as much diversity to offer ( and learn) as your students. This presentation will touch on a few of the newer experiences in the broader culture, both old and new.

Jon Callow is a lecturer in literacy education at the University of Sydney. He is an experienced primary teacher, currently teaching tertiary classes in the areas of English, primary literacy and social justice. As a professional development consultant, he has worked along side teachers in their classrooms, both in Australia and the United States. His current interests include visual images and multimodality, the role of visual literacy and critical literacy, and issues of engagement and improved educational outcomes for students from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds.

Stephen Kemmis is Professor of Education at Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga. He worked at the University of Sydney before completing a doctorate at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, then worked in the UK at the University of East Anglia. On his return to Australia, Stephen held a personal chair at Deakin University, then left Deakin to work as an independent consultant and researcher. He subsequently accepted appointments at the University of Ballarat where he was Pro Vice Chancellor (Research) and then Deputy Vice Chancellor (Operations). After completing those contracts, he again worked as an independent consultant, returning in 2002 to an academic appointment at Charles Sturt University.

Professor Kemmis’s interest in the study of professional practice is the result of over thirty years' study of research and evaluation methodology, especially in the study of education. He has written several books, including the internationally acclaimed ‘Becoming Critical’ with Wilfred Carr in 1986. He has also written numerous reports, chapters and articles on professional practice, praxis, indigenous education, participatory action research and case study and other interpretive methods in educational research.

Paul Stafford is the author of thirteen teenage fiction books and works across Australia as a literacy consultant, specialising in reluctant boys. His focus is on social purpose outcomes that appeal to boys - short films, animations, gaming, and graphic novels - with an emphasis on the importance of strong narratives as a foundation for successful outcomes. His approach incorporates a strongly scaffolded writing workshop combined with enough spontaneity to integrate students’ ideas into the story plan. This process encourages the most reluctant writers to participate in the process, and ensures the completed outcome empowers all and belongs to all.

Paul established the Dead Bones Society at the Australian Fossil & Mineral Museum to enable him to experiment with the same mix of young male writers, meeting regularly at the museum after dark, and being mentored by male Teacher Education students from CSU Bathurst. The group won the 2007 NSW Government Culture Award (Managing Culture category) and now boasts as its patron Robyn Williams, host of Radio National’s Science Show. It recently completed a short film funded by the NSW Ministry for Arts, and a website.

Dr Kirsty Williamson

Action Research in School Settings: Method, Techniques and Exemplars

Action research is a useful research method to use in school library contexts. The paper will discuss the key concepts of a method which provides both a process of change through the ‘action’ undertaken and a process of learning through the research. The core terms involved in the method will be described: cycle/spiral, action, observation, reflection, change/modification/ adaptation and the importance of at least a triangulation of viewpoints will be emphasised. In a school these might be the institution (the school); the practitioner, e.g., the teacher-librarian (action researcher); and the object of the change (e.g., staff and students). Techniques suited to action research, e.g., individual interviews and focus groups, will also be described. Discussion of the method will be illustrated by two research projects: (1) a study undertaken to support a cohort of high school students to become information literate, undertaken by Karen Visser, and (2) a current Australian Research Council Linkage project on plagiarism in schools being undertaken by academics from Charles Sturt University, including Kirsty Williamson, and involving four Australian secondary schools.

Dr Kirsty Williamson is the Director of the research group, Information and Telecommunications Needs Research (ITNR), a joint initiative of Monash and Charles Sturt Universities. Her original career was as a secondary school teacher and then teacher-librarian, with her work beginning in universities in the mid-1980s. Since the early 1990s, she has undertaken many research projects, funded by a range of different organisations including the principal funding body of Australian Universities, the Australian Research Council (ARC). She has specialised in research methods, including in teaching. Her book, about research methods in information management and systems, has sold well worldwide. Her principal area of empirical research has been ’human information behaviour’, but she has also focussed on other areas, particularly related to information technology, although always with a ‘user’ approach. One of her current ARC projects is part of the Linkage Program, has four secondary schools as collaborating organisations, is about information use in relation to plagiarism, and has an action research component.

In addition to presenting a keynote address, Kirsty will also be running a joint research workshop with Ross Todd and Lyn Hay.

Parallel or Mini Keynotes will be presented by:

Gary Green has worked in both Government and Independent schools as a teacher librarian for more than 20 years. In his present school, a significant part of his role is to develop technology-rich differentiated curriculum units that embed higher-level thinking skills. In 2003, he co-authored the IASL award-winning ‘Bloom’s Thinking Strategy’ which examines levels of questioning. Gary has spoken extensively throughout Australia and internationally on a variety of learning and recreational reading topics.

For information on Gary Green's address click here

Lyn Hay has been lecturing in teacher librarianship with the School of Information Studies at Charles Sturt University since 1994 and is currently the Course Coordinator of the Master of Applied Science (Teacher Librarianship) program. She teaches across a number of areas including the role of the teacher librarian, ICT integration and use,and information policy in schools.. Prior to this she was a TL practitioner with the NSW Department of Education and Training.

Lyn's research interests include teacher librarian-principal partnerships, the impact of school libraries on student learning, and she is currently completing her doctoral research on Web 2.0 technologies and school libraries.

Lyn is the recipient of a number of professional awards including the ASLA Citation in 2007, the ASLA(NSW) John Hirst Award and the IASL/SIRS Commendation Award. She is the co-founder of OZTL_NET and in her spare time loves playing golf, camping and walking her dog Sampson along the banks of the Murrumbidgee River.

For information on Lyn Hay's address click here

In addition to presenting an address, Lyn will also be running a joint research workshop with Dr Ross Todd and Dr Kirsty Williamson.

Judy O'Connell is the Head of Library and Information Services at St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill. Prior to taking up this position she was an Education Consultant 80 schools located in the Western region of Sydney.

Her professional leadership experience spans K-12 and tertiary education, with a focus on libraries, technology, curriculum and professional development. She promotes innovation in school libraries and classrooms in a Web 2.0 world, and is a regular presenter at Australian and international technology and teacher librarianship conferences and seminars. She has extensive experience at committee and executive levels of both ASLA NSW and the International Association of School Librarianship. Her passion for change and innovation inspires her blog Heyjude, which won the 2006 international Edublog Award for Best Librarian Blog and which was shortlisted again in 2007.

Judy was also the 2007 recipient of ASLANSW's John Lee Award for innovative use of IT in learning.

For information on Judy O'Connell's address click here

Lisa Shanahan studied Communications at the University of Technology where she majored in writing before going on to train as an actor at Theatre Nepean, the University of Western Sydney. Whilst teaching drama, Lisa wrote her first play for children and discovered that her true passion was not just writing but writing for young people in particular. Some of her well-loved picture books include Bear and Chook and Daddy’s Having a Horse, both of which were short-listed for the CBCA Book of the Year for Early Childhood and The Postman’s Dog, winner of the 2006 Speech Pathology Book of the Year for lower primary.

My Big Birkett Lisa’s first novel for teenagers was shortlisted for the 2007 CBCA Book of the Year for Older Readers. It has recently been published in the United States by Delacorte Books as The Sweet, Terrible, Glorious Year, I Truly, Completely Lost It. Lisa lives in Sydney with her husband Keiran and their three sons.

For information on Lisa Shanahan's address click here

Special Guests include:

After studying teaching, Deb Abela travelled the world for three years before completing a BA Comm at UTS. She begged unashamedly for her first job in the script department at Southern Star followed by seven years at Network TEN as a Children’s TV writer/producer. She left in 2001 to write the Max Remy Superspy series about a feisty spy girl and the Jasper Zammit books, written with the advice of soccer legend, Johnny Warren, about a team of kids who dream of being such a legend. Deb regularly speaks in schools and enjoys getting kids just as excited as she is about reading and books.

Duncan Ball is the best-selling author of seventy-five books of children’s fiction including the Selby and Emily Eyefinger series. Duncan says that his strong commitment to literacy stems from his having been a very poor reader as a child. He says that he keeps his former self firmly in mind when writing his fast-paced, plot-driven stories and using the most accessible language that he can.

Duncan has been a full-time author and occasional scriptwriter since 1982. He and his wife live in the Inner Western suburbs of Sydney. Duncan says that he did a rough calculation recently and found that he’s spent more time answering emails and letters from kids than writing children’s books. He doesn’t know if this is a good thing but he admits that writing to kids is easier and more fun than writing the books.

Libby Gleeson grew up in country NSW, attended the University of Sydney and taught High School for two years. She lived overseas for five years developing her skills as a writer. She is now a popular and highly acclaimed writer of picture books and longer fiction for young people and books about writing for adults.

Eleanor, Elizabeth, I am Susannah, Dodger, Love Me, Love Me Not and Refuge are titles written for young teenagers. The Hannah series: Skating on Sand, Hannah Plus One, Hannah and the Tomorrow Room and Hannah the Famous are award winning junior fiction titles.

Libby’s picture books include Big Dog, Where’s Mum, Mum Goes to Work, Sleeptime, Uncle David, The Princess and the Perfect Dish, The Great Bear, An Ordinary Day, Shutting the Chooks In, Cuddle Time and Amy and Louis. Libby has been shortlisted for the Children’s Book Council of Australia awards eleven times and won the award for fiction for younger readers in 1997 with Hannah and the Tomorrow Room and the Picture book of the Year in 2002 for An Ordinary Day. Amy and Louis was awarded early Childhood Book of the Year in 2007. The Great Bear won the Bologna Ragazzi in 2000, the first time an Australian title has won this prestigious award.

Libby is currently an adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Education and Social Work at the University of Sydney. She is actively involved in writers’ organizations and chaired the Australian Society of Authors, 1999-2001. In 2007 she received a Member of the Order of Australia Award for services to literature and literacy education.

Cathie Harrison is currently employed by the NSW Department of Education and Training as a Teacher Librarian. She works at Belmore Boys' High School, a school with a population of 430 students, 98% of which are NESB. It is located in a low socio economic area and recieves PSP funding. Prior to this she worked in a private school in Eastern Suburbs and did some block work at CEO schools in Sydney's Inner West.

Cathie has not always worked in school libraries. Prior to 2001, she worked at Marrickville Municipal Library for 10 yrs and Tourism NSW library for 2 years. She also lived in Khancoban for 3 years doing odd clerical work for Police & National Parks.

Paul Macdonald is the owner of The Children's Bookshop at Beecroft, NSW. Paul has a Master of Education, working almost 20 years as a teacher of Upper Primary and Secondary. He has won numerous awards in teaching such as a Quality Teacher Award in 2002, The Premier’s English Scholarship in 2004 and awards for his co-ordination of Regional Shakespearean Festivals.

His interests include the development of literacy with a particular interest in reading for gifted children, boys’ literacy and books for adolescents.

Ian McLean found his niche in teacher-librarianship in 1989, after a number of years in the classroom at Banksia Road Public School. Undertaking the Graduate Diploma in Applied Science (Information/Teacher-Librarianship) at UTS (Kuring-gai) in 1990, he was then appointed as teacher-librarian to Punchbowl Public School. Ian strongly promoted collaborative teaching, and created the school's first website.

In 1998, Ian was appointed Editor of the professional journal, "Scan" (NSW Department of Education & Training). He was part of the team which devised online content for teacher-librarians, and ICT opportunities for students, on the Departmental website. During 2002, Ian returned to classroom teaching. At Penrith Public School, his interests in website design, drama, visual arts and ICT blossomed anew. Moving back into a school library position at Penrith in 2007, Ian has enjoyed using explicit teaching, Circle Time, book raps, wikis and blogs to maximise the students' opportunities for learning.

In his spare time, Ian is a lifelong "Star Trek" fan, and also reviews children's literature for "Scan" and the Premier's Reading Challenge Committee.

James Roy is the author of several popular fiction and non fiction titles for children and young adults. Two of his books, Captain Mack and Bill Mack's War, were named as Children's Book Council of Australia Honour Books. His other titles, several of which are listed as notable Children's Book Council of Australia books, include Ichabod Hart & the Lighthouse Mystery, Wrestlefest Fever, A Boat for Bridget, Full Moon Racing, Almost Wednesday, The Legend of Big Red, Broken Wings and Problem Child. His latest book, Town, was released in October 2007 and received rave reviews. The 'S' Word - a boys' guide to sex, puberty and growing up is James' first foray into the world of non-fiction.

James has travelled extensively, speaking and running workshops, both in Australia and internationally. He also works with Anglican Youthworks, participating in their writers in Residence Camps.

Kathy Rushton is currently a lecturer at the University of Sydney and is also enrolled as a PhD student at the same institution. She has worked as a literacy consultant, ESL and classroom teacher at schools, TAFE and universities with a range of students from Kindergarten, primary and high school students to adult migrants and pre-service teachers. Her commitment to social justice and multiculturalism fostered her interest in the development of literacy, especially with socio-economically disadvantaged students. She has recently undertaken research on the teaching of reading in the middle years and is currently researching the significance of text in the teaching of reading, with a focus on Aboriginal communities.

Karen Tayleur is an editor at black dog books, an independent Melbourne-based publisher of children’s books. In her spare time she teaches writing for children at TAFE and conducts writing workshops for students in both primary and secondary school.

She is also the author of the David Mortimore Baxter series for mid-primary readers and Chasing Boys, her first novel for teenagers which was short-listed for the inaugural INKY awards in 2007.

ASLA-NSW

	Dr Ross Todd is associate professor in the School of Communication, Information and Library Studies at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. He is Director of the Center for International Scholarship in School Libraries (CISSL), at Rutgers University. CISSL fosters the transformative role of school libraries in 21st century schools, their integral role in the learning fabric of schools, and their role in ongoing school improvement and reform.. His primary teaching and research interests focus on adolescent information seeking and use. The research is multi-faceted, and includes: understanding how children learn and build new knowledge from information; how school librarians and classroom teachers can more effectively empower student learning; and how the development of information and critical literacies through guided inquiry and constructivist learning approaches lead to deep learning. He has published more than 130 papers and book chapters and has been an invited speaker at many international conferences, most recently in Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden, Taiwan and Australia.

Further Keynotes will be presented by:
	Jon Callow & Diversity- from Shakespeare to Second Life Youth culture, digital literacy, e-learning, online, computer games. There is much diversity in the area of popular culture today, even in the terms and phrases that are used – memes, avatars, texting, blogs. However, we would be rather jaded if we accused new cultures of being worthless because of their excitement over new and varied language choices. ( Shakespeare introduced over 1000 news words into the English language, including the previously italicised ones). What diversity also offers us is shared experiences and commonality, as well as difference and variety. You have just as much diversity to offer ( and learn) as your students. This presentation will touch on a few of the newer experiences in the broader culture, both old and new. Jon Callow is a lecturer in literacy education at the University of Sydney. He is an experienced primary teacher, currently teaching tertiary classes in the areas of English, primary literacy and social justice. As a professional development consultant, he has worked along side teachers in their classrooms, both in Australia and the United States. His current interests include visual images and multimodality, the role of visual literacy and critical literacy, and issues of engagement and improved educational outcomes for students from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds.


	Stephen Kemmis is Professor of Education at Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga. He worked at the University of Sydney before completing a doctorate at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, then worked in the UK at the University of East Anglia. On his return to Australia, Stephen held a personal chair at Deakin University, then left Deakin to work as an independent consultant and researcher. He subsequently accepted appointments at the University of Ballarat where he was Pro Vice Chancellor (Research) and then Deputy Vice Chancellor (Operations). After completing those contracts, he again worked as an independent consultant, returning in 2002 to an academic appointment at Charles Sturt University. Professor Kemmis’s interest in the study of professional practice is the result of over thirty years' study of research and evaluation methodology, especially in the study of education. He has written several books, including the internationally acclaimed ‘Becoming Critical’ with Wilfred Carr in 1986. He has also written numerous reports, chapters and articles on professional practice, praxis, indigenous education, participatory action research and case study and other interpretive methods in educational research.

	Paul Stafford is the author of thirteen teenage fiction books and works across Australia as a literacy consultant, specialising in reluctant boys. His focus is on social purpose outcomes that appeal to boys - short films, animations, gaming, and graphic novels - with an emphasis on the importance of strong narratives as a foundation for successful outcomes. His approach incorporates a strongly scaffolded writing workshop combined with enough spontaneity to integrate students’ ideas into the story plan. This process encourages the most reluctant writers to participate in the process, and ensures the completed outcome empowers all and belongs to all. Paul established the Dead Bones Society at the Australian Fossil & Mineral Museum to enable him to experiment with the same mix of young male writers, meeting regularly at the museum after dark, and being mentored by male Teacher Education students from CSU Bathurst. The group won the 2007 NSW Government Culture Award (Managing Culture category) and now boasts as its patron Robyn Williams, host of Radio National’s Science Show. It recently completed a short film funded by the NSW Ministry for Arts, and a website.

	Dr Kirsty Williamson Action Research in School Settings: Method, Techniques and Exemplars Action research is a useful research method to use in school library contexts. The paper will discuss the key concepts of a method which provides both a process of change through the ‘action’ undertaken and a process of learning through the research. The core terms involved in the method will be described: cycle/spiral, action, observation, reflection, change/modification/ adaptation and the importance of at least a triangulation of viewpoints will be emphasised. In a school these might be the institution (the school); the practitioner, e.g., the teacher-librarian (action researcher); and the object of the change (e.g., staff and students). Techniques suited to action research, e.g., individual interviews and focus groups, will also be described. Discussion of the method will be illustrated by two research projects: (1) a study undertaken to support a cohort of high school students to become information literate, undertaken by Karen Visser, and (2) a current Australian Research Council Linkage project on plagiarism in schools being undertaken by academics from Charles Sturt University, including Kirsty Williamson, and involving four Australian secondary schools. Dr Kirsty Williamson is the Director of the research group, Information and Telecommunications Needs Research (ITNR), a joint initiative of Monash and Charles Sturt Universities. Her original career was as a secondary school teacher and then teacher-librarian, with her work beginning in universities in the mid-1980s. Since the early 1990s, she has undertaken many research projects, funded by a range of different organisations including the principal funding body of Australian Universities, the Australian Research Council (ARC). She has specialised in research methods, including in teaching. Her book, about research methods in information management and systems, has sold well worldwide. Her principal area of empirical research has been ’human information behaviour’, but she has also focussed on other areas, particularly related to information technology, although always with a ‘user’ approach. One of her current ARC projects is part of the Linkage Program, has four secondary schools as collaborating organisations, is about information use in relation to plagiarism, and has an action research component. In addition to presenting a keynote address, Kirsty will also be running a joint research workshop with Ross Todd and Lyn Hay.


Parallel or Mini Keynotes will be presented by:

	Gary Green has worked in both Government and Independent schools as a teacher librarian for more than 20 years. In his present school, a significant part of his role is to develop technology-rich differentiated curriculum units that embed higher-level thinking skills. In 2003, he co-authored the IASL award-winning ‘Bloom’s Thinking Strategy’ which examines levels of questioning. Gary has spoken extensively throughout Australia and internationally on a variety of learning and recreational reading topics. For information on Gary Green's address click here


	Lyn Hay has been lecturing in teacher librarianship with the School of Information Studies at Charles Sturt University since 1994 and is currently the Course Coordinator of the Master of Applied Science (Teacher Librarianship) program. She teaches across a number of areas including the role of the teacher librarian, ICT integration and use,and information policy in schools.. Prior to this she was a TL practitioner with the NSW Department of Education and Training. Lyn's research interests include teacher librarian-principal partnerships, the impact of school libraries on student learning, and she is currently completing her doctoral research on Web 2.0 technologies and school libraries. Lyn is the recipient of a number of professional awards including the ASLA Citation in 2007, the ASLA(NSW) John Hirst Award and the IASL/SIRS Commendation Award. She is the co-founder of OZTL_NET and in her spare time loves playing golf, camping and walking her dog Sampson along the banks of the Murrumbidgee River. For information on Lyn Hay's address click here In addition to presenting an address, Lyn will also be running a joint research workshop with Dr Ross Todd and Dr Kirsty Williamson.


	Judy O'Connell is the Head of Library and Information Services at St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill. Prior to taking up this position she was an Education Consultant 80 schools located in the Western region of Sydney. Her professional leadership experience spans K-12 and tertiary education, with a focus on libraries, technology, curriculum and professional development. She promotes innovation in school libraries and classrooms in a Web 2.0 world, and is a regular presenter at Australian and international technology and teacher librarianship conferences and seminars. She has extensive experience at committee and executive levels of both ASLA NSW and the International Association of School Librarianship. Her passion for change and innovation inspires her blog Heyjude, which won the 2006 international Edublog Award for Best Librarian Blog and which was shortlisted again in 2007. Judy was also the 2007 recipient of ASLANSW's John Lee Award for innovative use of IT in learning. For information on Judy O'Connell's address click here


	Lisa Shanahan studied Communications at the University of Technology where she majored in writing before going on to train as an actor at Theatre Nepean, the University of Western Sydney. Whilst teaching drama, Lisa wrote her first play for children and discovered that her true passion was not just writing but writing for young people in particular. Some of her well-loved picture books include Bear and Chook and Daddy’s Having a Horse, both of which were short-listed for the CBCA Book of the Year for Early Childhood and The Postman’s Dog, winner of the 2006 Speech Pathology Book of the Year for lower primary. My Big Birkett Lisa’s first novel for teenagers was shortlisted for the 2007 CBCA Book of the Year for Older Readers. It has recently been published in the United States by Delacorte Books as The Sweet, Terrible, Glorious Year, I Truly, Completely Lost It. Lisa lives in Sydney with her husband Keiran and their three sons. For information on Lisa Shanahan's address click here

Special Guests include:

	After studying teaching, Deb Abela travelled the world for three years before completing a BA Comm at UTS. She begged unashamedly for her first job in the script department at Southern Star followed by seven years at Network TEN as a Children’s TV writer/producer. She left in 2001 to write the Max Remy Superspy series about a feisty spy girl and the Jasper Zammit books, written with the advice of soccer legend, Johnny Warren, about a team of kids who dream of being such a legend. Deb regularly speaks in schools and enjoys getting kids just as excited as she is about reading and books.

	Duncan Ball is the best-selling author of seventy-five books of children’s fiction including the Selby and Emily Eyefinger series. Duncan says that his strong commitment to literacy stems from his having been a very poor reader as a child. He says that he keeps his former self firmly in mind when writing his fast-paced, plot-driven stories and using the most accessible language that he can. Duncan has been a full-time author and occasional scriptwriter since 1982. He and his wife live in the Inner Western suburbs of Sydney. Duncan says that he did a rough calculation recently and found that he’s spent more time answering emails and letters from kids than writing children’s books. He doesn’t know if this is a good thing but he admits that writing to kids is easier and more fun than writing the books.

	Libby Gleeson grew up in country NSW, attended the University of Sydney and taught High School for two years. She lived overseas for five years developing her skills as a writer. She is now a popular and highly acclaimed writer of picture books and longer fiction for young people and books about writing for adults. Eleanor, Elizabeth, I am Susannah, Dodger, Love Me, Love Me Not and Refuge are titles written for young teenagers. The Hannah series: Skating on Sand, Hannah Plus One, Hannah and the Tomorrow Room and Hannah the Famous are award winning junior fiction titles. Libby’s picture books include Big Dog, Where’s Mum, Mum Goes to Work, Sleeptime, Uncle David, The Princess and the Perfect Dish, The Great Bear, An Ordinary Day, Shutting the Chooks In, Cuddle Time and Amy and Louis. Libby has been shortlisted for the Children’s Book Council of Australia awards eleven times and won the award for fiction for younger readers in 1997 with Hannah and the Tomorrow Room and the Picture book of the Year in 2002 for An Ordinary Day. Amy and Louis was awarded early Childhood Book of the Year in 2007. The Great Bear won the Bologna Ragazzi in 2000, the first time an Australian title has won this prestigious award. Libby is currently an adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Education and Social Work at the University of Sydney. She is actively involved in writers’ organizations and chaired the Australian Society of Authors, 1999-2001. In 2007 she received a Member of the Order of Australia Award for services to literature and literacy education.

	Cathie Harrison is currently employed by the NSW Department of Education and Training as a Teacher Librarian. She works at Belmore Boys' High School, a school with a population of 430 students, 98% of which are NESB. It is located in a low socio economic area and recieves PSP funding. Prior to this she worked in a private school in Eastern Suburbs and did some block work at CEO schools in Sydney's Inner West. Cathie has not always worked in school libraries. Prior to 2001, she worked at Marrickville Municipal Library for 10 yrs and Tourism NSW library for 2 years. She also lived in Khancoban for 3 years doing odd clerical work for Police & National Parks.

	Paul Macdonald is the owner of The Children's Bookshop at Beecroft, NSW. Paul has a Master of Education, working almost 20 years as a teacher of Upper Primary and Secondary. He has won numerous awards in teaching such as a Quality Teacher Award in 2002, The Premier’s English Scholarship in 2004 and awards for his co-ordination of Regional Shakespearean Festivals. His interests include the development of literacy with a particular interest in reading for gifted children, boys’ literacy and books for adolescents.

	Ian McLean found his niche in teacher-librarianship in 1989, after a number of years in the classroom at Banksia Road Public School. Undertaking the Graduate Diploma in Applied Science (Information/Teacher-Librarianship) at UTS (Kuring-gai) in 1990, he was then appointed as teacher-librarian to Punchbowl Public School. Ian strongly promoted collaborative teaching, and created the school's first website. In 1998, Ian was appointed Editor of the professional journal, "Scan" (NSW Department of Education & Training). He was part of the team which devised online content for teacher-librarians, and ICT opportunities for students, on the Departmental website. During 2002, Ian returned to classroom teaching. At Penrith Public School, his interests in website design, drama, visual arts and ICT blossomed anew. Moving back into a school library position at Penrith in 2007, Ian has enjoyed using explicit teaching, Circle Time, book raps, wikis and blogs to maximise the students' opportunities for learning. In his spare time, Ian is a lifelong "Star Trek" fan, and also reviews children's literature for "Scan" and the Premier's Reading Challenge Committee.

	James Roy is the author of several popular fiction and non fiction titles for children and young adults. Two of his books, Captain Mack and Bill Mack's War, were named as Children's Book Council of Australia Honour Books. His other titles, several of which are listed as notable Children's Book Council of Australia books, include Ichabod Hart & the Lighthouse Mystery, Wrestlefest Fever, A Boat for Bridget, Full Moon Racing, Almost Wednesday, The Legend of Big Red, Broken Wings and Problem Child. His latest book, Town, was released in October 2007 and received rave reviews. The 'S' Word - a boys' guide to sex, puberty and growing up is James' first foray into the world of non-fiction. James has travelled extensively, speaking and running workshops, both in Australia and internationally. He also works with Anglican Youthworks, participating in their writers in Residence Camps.

	Kathy Rushton is currently a lecturer at the University of Sydney and is also enrolled as a PhD student at the same institution. She has worked as a literacy consultant, ESL and classroom teacher at schools, TAFE and universities with a range of students from Kindergarten, primary and high school students to adult migrants and pre-service teachers. Her commitment to social justice and multiculturalism fostered her interest in the development of literacy, especially with socio-economically disadvantaged students. She has recently undertaken research on the teaching of reading in the middle years and is currently researching the significance of text in the teaching of reading, with a focus on Aboriginal communities.

	Karen Tayleur is an editor at black dog books, an independent Melbourne-based publisher of children’s books. In her spare time she teaches writing for children at TAFE and conducts writing workshops for students in both primary and secondary school. She is also the author of the David Mortimore Baxter series for mid-primary readers and Chasing Boys, her first novel for teenagers which was short-listed for the inaugural INKY awards in 2007.