Library News
What’s Been Happening So Far This Year?
Our libraries continue to expand their collection of resources across both campuses. From textbooks to fiction novels, memoirs to graphic novels, there's something for everyone. Don't forget about our digital resources too, such as our SORA Audiobooks and Ebooks, which are accessible 24/7 from the comfort of your home.
We also offer a range of services to support your academic journey. Whether you need research assistance, citation help, or access to specialised databases, our friendly librarians are here to assist you. At Brigidine Campus, our librarians have been setting up resources for Year 12 History of the French and Russian Revolutions, podcasts of "serial" for Year 9 English, and materials for Year 11 English classes studying The Great Gatsby. You can see all this information and much more on our Library website.
Meet Miss Ryan!
As mentioned in our previous update, we have been lucky enough to gain an amazing new staff member at our Kildare Library - Miss Alisha Ryan. Miss Ryan is already very popular amongst our Kildare students, assisting staff and learners around our collections and actioning her innovative ideas to help make our libraries even more welcoming and user friendly.
Here is some more information about Alisha.
Professional background:
I have a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Theatre Performance. I completed my studies at the Arts Academy Ballarat. Highlights of my performances on the stage include the following:
Women of Troy, Six Characters in Search of an Author and Julius Caesar. I then pursued Ozact Theatre Company Ballarat involved in productions Macbeth, Romeo & Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream and Pericles. Other inclusions of various performances were held at 1812 Theatre Company and Clayton Theatre Company. I was also involved in the 10 in 10 Play Festivals at The Arts Centre Melbourne.
Career Highlights:
A highlight of my fine arts career was in 2020 when selected to produce a series of three portraits in collaboration with Troy Firebrace for The Living Justice Portrait Project, an initiative of St Joseph’s College. The Portraits were created in three months of Patrons Saint Brigid, Daniel Delany and Nano Nagle. There are multiple stories within each artwork that speak of justice and provide examples of living that are selfless. Here are a few images of the framing process.
Additional highlights would be donating artworks for worthy causes. Some favourites include The Lighthouse Foundation, who aim to create pathways to eliminate youth homelessness. I created a 3D Artwork of little paper houses, all interconnected to form a rainbow. This was sold in a donation auction to the highest bidder, Lighthouse Foundation Founder Susan Barton with all proceeds going to The Foundation. Susan then reached out to me to create an additional work for their office space in Richmond, a full circle of paper houses which I gladly did, titled “the street that never ends.”
The Bridge Art Project Gala Dinner Auction in 2022 is a most recent highlight where I donated one of my nature themed works.
Interests/ hobbies:
Art, performance, animals, walks in nature, music (I have a soft spot for all classical music), competitive games, movie nights, architecture, discovering new fragrances, food and wine!
An inspirational quote you admire:
So many but I do like this one:
“Study the Art of Science, study the Science of Art. Develop your senses, especially learn how to see, realise that everything connects to everything else.” Leonardo da Vinci
Your role in the Library:
Librarian assistant three days a week. You will see me Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at Kildare Campus. I will be overseeing the general operation of the Library and most importantly, managing the borrowing of books!
Reading Room in full swing!
Here are a few snaps of our Kildare students engaging in Reading Room sessions. Over the last two weeks, students have focused their attention on following personal interest and exploring these genres using a great website called “What Should I Read Next?” This website has helped students feeling ‘stuck’ on which book to read, to choose one that is suited to their specific interest based on texts they have enjoyed previously!
Book Recommendations
It has been so great to see students engaging with our team to share feedback on books they have borrowed and also provide recommendations of which books they’d like to see on our shelves. The wonderful students of St Joseph’s College are our guide to a fantastic floating library collection and we appreciate ALL recommendations! Feel free to chat to our team if there is a book you’d like to see available to borrow and we will do our best to respond accordingly!
Reminder of Campus Contact Hours
Brigidine Library
Opening Hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 8:00AM - 4:30PM
- Friday 8:00AM- 3:45PM
- Closed Recess Wednesday and Friday
Kildare Library
Opening Hours:
- Monday & Tuesday 8:50AM- 4:00PM
- Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 8:30AM- 4:00PM
- Closed Recess and Open from 1:30PM Lunchtimes
Feedback
Your feedback is invaluable to us. If you have suggestions for new resources, services, or events, please don't hesitate to share them with us. We're here to make your library experience the best it can be.
Thank you for being part of our vibrant library community. We look forward to seeing you in the stacks, at our events, and online throughout the semester!
The St Joseph’s Brigidine an Kildare Library Team