Needs Analysis for Resource Development to Fuel School Library Advocacy for Writer Visits

Abstract

Writer visits can encourage young people to meaningfully connect with books and their authors, potentially fostering greater reading engagement. While school library professionals facilitate writer visits in schools, the research gap around the benefits of these visits may make it difficult to advocate for these events. A focus group with school library managers was undertaken to inform the creation of a new tool to fuel school library advocacy for writer visits. Findings will underpin the creation of this tool, but also have relevance for writers and publishers, and for school library professionals seeking to use focus groups for needs analysis.