Library Services
BEANSTACK READING PLATFORM
Global research on reading shows that students are reading less and less. Such a decline in reading is negatively impacting student academic success, overall wellbeing, and the ability to contribute to society. Lack of vocabulary, comprehension and background knowledge impacts critical thinking, decision making and the ability to be successful in school. Reading benefits students’ ability to focus, write essays, read and comprehend maths and science questions, along with critically analysing information. Reading fiction increases empathy - an important life skill.
Reading is a skill that needs to be practised continuously with increased difficulty as students move through school. To read well, students need to develop a reading habit.
To help students with this, the Library is introducing Beanstack Reading Platform for Years 7 and 8. Beanstack helps students create a reading habit by tracking their reading, giving them ownership of, and making them more accountable for their reading. Students will be creating reading goals and be expected to achieve their goals to build a strong reading habit, including reading at home at least three times a week and reading during the school holidays, with the aim of building up to at least 20 minutes every time they read.
According to literacy expert Dr Jennifer Buckingham OAM, students need consistent, sustained long-form reading (which increases in difficulty), for academic and career success - regardless of occupation.
The focus of Beanstack is on increasing how many minutes students read, rather than on how many books they have read. This focus gives all students a better opportunity to increase reading without the fear of failure. If they do not finish a book, or do not like a book, they can try another and keep increasing their minutes read. This encourages reading as a habit, not a chore.
We ask that parents support and encourage their children reading at home and even take the opportunity to read alongside them if possible. Reading benefits the whole family!
Looking for more information on reading?
For information on Australian reading research please read the report from Australia Reads, Understanding Australian Readers
For information on declining reading trends, look at the data from the Programme of International Student Assessment (PISA): Key Findings
For more information on Dr Jennifer Buckingham OAM, please watch her lecture from The University of Melbourne Dean's Lecture Series: The Radical Act of Reading
We thank you for your support and if you have any questions about reading or Beanstack please do not hesitate to contact the Library team.
______________________________________________________________________
MEET A LIBRARY STAFF MEMBER! #3
Name: Mrs Lee-Anne Hall (Library Technician – Acquisitions)
What is the best book you have read recently?
My Friends by Fredrik Backman - I love Frederik Backman’s writing and have loved all his books. This one was one of his best.
What is your favourite genre to read, or to recommend?
I am not sure I have a favourite genre as such but I do particularly love a book with a quirky character in it. Some quirky character recommendations from me include Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth, Anxious People by Fredrik Backman and Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder by Kerryn Mayne
If you could only recommend one book to everyone, what would it be?
My favourite book of all time is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, but I do not recommend this to everyone as I understand that it may not appeal to all. I think if I could only recommend one book that would interest the most people, I would recommend Open: an autobiography by Andre Agassi. You do not have to be a sports lover or autobiography fan to find this well-written story fascinating and very entertaining.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not at the Library?
I love reading (of course), tennis (both playing and watching), spending time with my family and our dog, and I have a love of horse racing.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be, and why?
If I had a superpower I think I would put more hours in the day so that I had more time to do all the things I love outside of work.
MEET A LIBRARY STAFF MEMBER! #4
Name: Miss Rachel Nixon (Librarian)
What is the best book you have read recently?
Always Home, Always Homesick by Hannah Kent.
What is your favourite genre to read, or to recommend?
I love a good fantasy, so I am always keen to recommend it.
If you could only recommend one book to everyone, what would it be?
Dragons of Autumn Twilight by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not at the Library?
Reading (surprise surprise) and playing video games.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be, and why?
To freeze time.
______________________________________________________________________
Next term, we will share with you some snaps from the fantastic events held in our Libraries in Term 1, introduce you to more Library staff members, and provide more Library-related info!
Miss E Bruty
Librarian