Beanstack Reading Platform

As we head towards the end of this term, the Beanstack Leaderboard has seen the Class and Individual reading minutes accumulate brilliantly. Library Services staff highly recommend everyone continue to track those reading minutes over the holidays – frankly, whether you are involved in Beanstack or otherwise!

Modelling Reading at Home

In July 2026, Oxford University Press released the results of a study in which they spoke to more than 3,000 children aged 7-14 and 200 teachers across the United Kingdom. One of the Top 10 findings from their research was that “some older children do not see the relevance of books to their lives” (Oxford University Press 2026, 'Top 10 findings from our research' section). In a world where screens are taking up ever more of our time and attention, the modelling of reading at home to young people is crucial.

The National Center on Improving Literacy in the United States featured a helpful infographic, with tips for parents and carers to support children’s literacy at home (National Center on Improving Literacy 2017). Tips 8 onwards are perhaps the most relevant for those with children of secondary school age, but the earlier tips might be helpful to anyone with younger children.

With reference to the social media ban for children under 16, Australia Reads discussed how to encourage children and teens to return to reading. Of note was the following – show how it is done. “Want to see your child reading more? Start with yourself. Studies show that children teens who see reading modelled in their home are more likely to read than teens who do not see the adults in their lives reading. Seeing adult role models engage with reading for pleasure – both in the school and home environment – is an important and influential way to get young people engaged with reading (Australia Reads 2025, ‘Show how it is done’ section).”

Library Events

Indigenous Literacy Day – Wednesday 2 September

Indigenous Literacy Day is held each year on the first Wednesday in September. It not only highlights the literacy needs of First Nations people, but also to celebrate their stories, cultures, and languages.

Displays were fashioned to draw attention to the books within our collection written about and by First Nations authors. Such titles are an incredible way to gain insight into the lives of people in our First Nations communities, their communities and the unique challenges faced by same. Perhaps, more importantly, such books also bring home the aspects of life that we all have in common, as humans.

Library Displays

The turn of the season has come around and, at last, Spring is upon us. Pamela Coyne Library currently features a vibrant Spring into a good book!display, showcasing several of our wonderful new books, those who won prizes in the CBCA awards and others recommended by Library staff to students. Though perhaps the colder weather might induce one to lose themselves in the cosy warmth of a wonderful read, there is something to be said about leafing through the pages of a great book as the days become longer and turn brighter.

Holiday Borrowing

We are approaching the end of Term 3 and, as such, holiday borrowing is now in effect. All books borrowed from now until the end of the term will be due back on 7 October 2026. Aside from students availing themselves of our fantastic physical collections within our three Campus Libraries, allow us to remind parents and students of the Library Faculty’s Wheelers eBook/eAudiobook collection. These collections are available anytime and anywhere – particularly useful if families are travelling, overseas or otherwise. Further to this, Comics Plus is also available as such and is highly recommended for students who might perhaps process information and the world more visually, or simply prefer to read material in such a format.

Library Services staff appreciate your following along with our news over the course of the term. We wish all students and their families a safe and relaxing break…and may you find many great books to read over the fortnight!

References:

Australia Reads 2025, With the national social media ban in effect, how can we encourage children and teens to get back into reading?, Australia Reads, viewed 7 September 2026, <https://australiareads.org.au/news/social-media-ban-reading/>.

National Center on Improving Literacy 2017, 10 Ways to Support Your Child's Literacy at Home, infographic, National Center on Improving Literacy, viewed 7 September 2026, <https://www.improvingliteracy.org/resource/supporting-your-child-s-literacy-at-home>.

Oxford University Press 2026, More than words: the real-life impact of reading, Oxford University Press, viewed 7 September 2026, <https://corp.oup.com/feature/more-than-words-the-real-life-impact-of-reading/>.

Miss E Bruty

Librarian

Australian History Competition