- Jul 23
- 2 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Inspiring Curiosity Through Library Technology
The School Library Association of South Australia (SLASA) Conference was held at the Hotel Grand Chancellor this past June, and the energy in the room said it all. Our decibel reader clocked 124dB at its peak. So much for libraries being quiet.
As Gold Sponsors of the 2026 event, we spent the conference sitting down with Library Managers and Educators from every corner of the state. Between them, the room held thousands of years of collective experience, and the conversations gave us plenty to think about on the drive home.
The Burning Question: Enhancing Engagement for All Students
A clear theme ran through our conversations: technology can lift library engagement, but it isn't a given. Educators from lower socio-economic schools described a common struggle, getting students into the library when traditional reading material alone isn't holding their attention.
That raised the question we kept coming back to: how do we build a richer environment, through technology, that draws more students into the library in the first place?
The Library as a Communal Tech Hub
Part of the answer is rethinking what the library space is for. There's a real opening for school libraries to act as a communal space where students explore technology without a heavy curricular focus attached. When students get the freedom to explore out of curiosity, they find new interests, and that curiosity tends to send them straight back to the shelves to read more about whatever just caught their attention.
Handled well, technology becomes a gateway into reading rather than a distraction from it. It gets students asking questions, staying curious, and showing up to take part in their library.
Innovation on Display
We brought a range of interactive tools to the conference to help schools picture what these spaces could look like:
Interactive InFocus Classroom Panels, turning passive viewing into hands-on, collaborative learning
Mobile Aurora LED Digital Signage, for vibrant, movable hubs showcasing student work, library events, or interactive book reviews anywhere in the space
Wireless Screen Sharing (ScreenBeam & Vivi), letting educators and students collaborate seamlessly from any device in the room
Immersive VR Headsets & Platforms, including PICO Headsets, EngageXR, and ThingLink setups, showing students stepping inside history, science, and literature
Thank You, SLASA
We want to extend a massive thank you to the SLASA Committee for organising such a flawlessly executed and engaging event. Giving sponsors the opportunity to dive deep into these diverse perspectives ensures we can continue to build solutions that truly support South Australian lines of learning.
We look forward to continuing these conversations and helping you transform your library into a bustling hub of curiosity and discovery!
Did you miss us at the conference, or want to learn more about how to integrate these tools into your library space? Reach out to our team today to keep the conversation going!
Email: schools@teachtek.education
Phone: 1300 934 484
