Laurence Library

Recently the company EBSCO presented information about their product at a meeting for Middle School leaders. We are looking at installing this database as a part of our library resources. EBSCO is the leading provider of research databases, e-journals and e-package subscription management, book collection development and acquisition management and a major provider of library technology, e-books and clinical decision solutions for universities, colleges, hospitals, corporations, government, K12 schools and public libraries worldwide. The data base enables learning areas to compliment their teaching and learning with reliable academic resources. It also helps students understand how to research online and prepares them for their future studies. We are excited to potentially bring this to St George’s Laurence Library.  https://www.ebsco.com/schools

While our fiction collection is expanding with novels, it is difficult to keep up with a hard copy non-fiction collection. Data bases such as EBSCO or ClickView are extremely useful in keeping students in touch with the world around them. Given the vast amount of unreliable information freely available to our students, it is very important to teach them to be discerning and to provide them with credible alternatives to unfounded opinion.

While Book Week produced a flurry of reading, the aftermath has seen a steady stream of readers in the Laurence Library. It has been gratifying to see more students reviewing their reading on Oliver, the library admin system. These reviews are available for all borrowers and it helps young people in their selection to see what other students have enjoyed – or not, as the case may be. 

I managed to read some of the new fiction texts available for our students. YELLOWFACE, by Rebecca F. Kuang is an interesting account of what happens when someone not only plagiarises someone else’s work, but in so doing, assumes a cultural identity not their own. 

The issue of identity appropriation is at the forefront of mainstream cultural activity at the moment. Gabriella Lepore’s teen whodunit, The Last One To Fall, follows a familiar format. Shifting narrative voices are interposed with case file notes, phone records and text messages. In between the murder and the mystery is also a romance. While very formulaic, this is an entertaining read. The Headmaster’s List by Melissa de la Cruz has an almost identical plot line, although the setting is different. Essentially another teen whodunit with a romantic twist. As a palette cleanser I am still slowly reading the classic Man of Property, by John Galsworthy. These and many other books are available on our shelves.

Together let us read. Happy Holidays everyone – a perfect time to read widely.

Dr Annette Pedersen

Library Coordinator