Podcast Episode: Between the Bookshelves Episode 7 – Gina Krohn (Teacher Librarian)

Date Attended: 15 April 2025

Content Focus:  Discussing collection development, encouraging reluctant readers, and organising the Premier’s Reading Challenge within a school library setting.

Type: Podcast Episode

Length: 1 hour

Audience: Library Professionals

Organisers: Listen @ The Arts Unit

Presenters:

Jade Arnold (Between the Bookshelves Podcast Host, Premier’s Program Officer – Reading and Spelling at The Arts Unit)

Gina Krohn (Primary School Teacher Librarian and PRC Coordinator)

Reflection:

This episode of Between the Bookshelves featured Teacher Librarian guest Gina Krohn, and focused on how she implements and engages students with the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge within her primary school library. 

I listened to this podcast episode in particular, as I believe Teacher Librarians and public library Children’s Librarians can share ideas and work collaboratively to ensure children get the best experiences in libraries and with books. 

This episode, originally published on 11 April 2025, discussed how Gina Krohn motivates students to participate in the PRC through competition visuals throughout her school library, in order for classes to see their progress compared to other classes in the school. She noted that this visual representation of progress really encourages students to continue reading throughout the challenge. 

Other suggestions made in the podcast included shelving the PRC labelled books within their own category, to provide better accessibility and visibility.

This podcast was extremely insightful into the importance of promoting Australian-based reading initiatives and encouraging children to interact with Australian literature within their reading choices. After listening to this podcast, I will continue to personally engage with children’s literary resources in Australia, such as the CBCA Awards and the PRC, to ensure I am aware of books and events to share with patrons in my own library community.

Evidence of Attendance:

Between the Bookshelves Website Link

Spotify Podcast “Completed Episodes” Screenshot