Library

Library Update

Keeping Our School Library Fresh, Fun, and Full of Great Reads

If your child has been coming home talking about exciting new books or changes in the school library, you might be seeing the results of an important behind-the-scenes project: library weeding.

Over the past couple of years, we’ve been carefully reviewing our library collection and classroom reading rooms, removing books that are damaged, outdated, or no longer relevant. This ongoing process makes way for fresh, engaging, and high-quality reading materials that better support our students' interests and learning. It also ensures that we are sending home books that inspire reading and enjoyment of reading.

Why Do We Weed the Library?

Library weeding is a normal part of maintaining a healthy, effective library. Here’s why it matters:

✅ Keeps information current

Books that list Pluto as a planet or explain how to use a floppy disk just don’t cut it anymore. We want students to have access to accurate, up-to-date information, especially in areas like science, technology, and geography.

✅ Makes space for new and exciting books

We’re bringing in more decodable readers for our Prep–Year 2 students, as well as high-interest titles for all year levels. A tidy, well-organised shelf makes it easier for children to find books they love.

✅ Improves shelf appeal

Books that are falling apart, stained, or missing pages aren’t safe or fun to read. By removing these, we make room for attractive, inviting titles that encourage children to explore and borrow. Please let your child’s teacher know if you notice a book is breaking or stained and it can be added to the ‘to fix’ or ‘repurchase’ boxes in the library.

✅ Ensures inclusivity and relevance

We want every child to see themselves reflected in the books they read. Removing outdated or inappropriate materials makes way for culturally respectful, inclusive storiesthat speak to today’s diverse world.

✅ Helps us understand what’s missing

Through this process, we’ve discovered some big gaps in our collection, like books about different cultures, music, chess, and (a student favourite!) sharks. This helps guide smart new purchases that support the curriculum and spark curiosity (one of our school values!).

What Happens to the Removed Books?

We never just throw books away! Here’s what happens next:

📚Books in poor condition are responsibly recycled.

📚Usable but outdated books are donated to community groups and overseas schools via Rotary. These books still have life in them, even if they’re no longer a fit for our library.

What This Means for Your Child

Thanks to this weeding process, our students are now enjoying a library that is:

✨More engaging and easier to browse

✨Stocked with current, high-interest titles

✨A welcoming space that encourages curiosity and reading

We’re so excited about the updates, and the students are too. Thank you for your ongoing support as we continue to build a library that inspires, informs, and includes every child at Essex Heights. 

Scholastic Book Club

The Issue 7 catalogue of the Scholastic Book Club has been distributed to students.

• Online orders only through LOOP now.
• No cash payments accepted.

Please follow up with your child's teacher if your child has not received their Issue 7 catalogue.

🎉  We greatly appreciate your support of this regular fundraiser for our school. For every order placed through Scholastic Book Club, Scholastic contributes rewards to our school, allowing us to purchase new books for our Library. Thank you for helping us grow our collection!  🎉

Renèe Dare