KLP Chat: Helen Farch @fhclibrary on Hustling for School Libraries, Going Viral, and the Importance of School Librarians

Host Shara Curlett interviews Helen Farch, a Melbourne secondary school librarian and advocate for school libraries, reading for pleasure, and Australian authors. Helen explains how she started the @fhclibrary Instagram account to make her library visible, and how the platform led to global librarian connections, publisher relationships, donated review books, and speaking opportunities, as well as building a thriving school library community.She discusses removing barriers to borrowing, successful engagement ideas like loyalty cards and weekly “Would You Rather” votes, and the need for dedicated library staff amid underfunding and space pressures.Helen describes revamping and genrefying nonfiction to boost borrowing and support research, notes popularity trends like manga, fantasy, romantasy, and horror, and highlights grants and community networks to support library programs and author visits.LINKS:Instagram: @fhclibraryForest Hill College Library123Read2Me - empowering disadvantaged kids to succeed with free books.Article in The Sapling - The Reckoning: Every Student Deserves a School Librarian in their LivesKirsty Everett on Instagram: @kirstyeverettauthorKirsty Everett on MamamiaKirsty Everett - Channel Nine InterviewStudents Need School LibrariesFollow The KidLit Pod  on Instagram (@thekidlitpod)Find out more about The KidLit Pod host, Shara Curlett, here:Shara Curlett on Instagram (@sharacurlett)Shara Curlett Website (www.sharacurlett.com)