The Professional Knowledge Standards outline the knowledge required by Teacher Libraians (TL) to provide excellent service to the school and wider community. The four standards in which a TL must strive for professional excellence inlcude:

1.1 understand the principles of lifelong learning

1.2 know about learning and teaching across curriculum areas and developmental areas

1.3 have a rich understanding of the school community and curriculum

1.4 have a specialist knowledge of information, resources, technology and library management


1.1 Knowledge of the principles of lifelong learning

Excellent teacher librarians:
• are well-informed about information literacy theory and practice
• thoroughly understand how all learners develop and apply lifelong learning skills and strategies
• have a sound understanding of how children and young adults become independent readers
• comprehensively understand the role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in lifelong learning

1.2 Knowledge of learning and teaching

Excellent teacher librarians:
• have a detailed knowledge of current educational pedagogy
• are thoroughly familiar with the information literacy and information needs, skills and interests of learners
• fully understand the need to cater for the social, cultural and developmental backgrounds of learners in program implementation and curriculum resourcing


1.3 Knowledge of curriculum

Excellent teacher librarians:
• have a comprehensive understanding of literacy, literature for children and young adults, curriculum and specifi c programs in their schools
• have a detailed knowledge of how to promote and foster reading
• have a sound understanding of current assessment theory and processes


1.4 Knowledge of library and information management

Excellent teacher librarians:
• understand that professionally managed and resourced school libraries are crucial to the achievements of the school community
• have a rich professional knowledge of national standards for library and information management
• have a comprehensive understanding of national standards for information retrieval