Library News
THE SCHOOL LIBRARY DURING COVID-19
During this time, the Library staff have all been working hard behind the scenes to ensure our College community has access to all our digital materials as well as working on creating, promoting and expanding our physical and online resources.
Ms Cecchini and Mr George, our two super talented library technicians have been busy processing lots of new books which will be ready for students when we reopen. Ms Cecchini has also been creating recommended genre reading lists and emailing educational games and puzzles to our students. Mr George has been creating some video tutorials which will assist our students to borrow e-books and audio books from the Wheelers platform. He has been making videos about manga and other popular book series. All of these can be found in the ‘Library Resources’ folder on Compass.
Meanwhile, I have been assisting staff and students to locate resources as well as answering enquiries on a range of topics such as how to access our Clickview audiovisual collection through to verifying books for the Reading Challenge (see below). I am also creating a library website which will be shared with students and staff in the coming weeks. This will contain lots of online curriculum resources for each subject, information about recreational reading and authors, how to conduct research and many more. Finally, students are reminded to check out and follow the Library Instagram page at lalorsc_library.
VICTORIAN PREMIERS’ READING CHALLENGE
Lalor Secondary College students are participating in the Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge along with over 300 other schools throughout Victoria. It is an initiative to encourage all school students from Grade Prep to Year 10 to read more books and develop a lifelong love of reading. Students can include books they have read from 1st February to 4th September 2020.
This year, all Year 7 – 10 students have been registered in the Premiers’ Reading Challenge. To complete the Challenge, students will need to read 15 books. A minimum of 10 books must be selected from the Victorian Premiers’ Challenge and the remainder can be Choice books. Students can include picture story books, graphic novels, non fiction books and novels.
The website has changed this year and can now be accessed at https://vprc.eduweb.vic.gov.au/home. All Year 7-10 students are automatically registered. All they have to do is to click on Student login, Edupass and log on using their Edupass username and password. They can search for books and add the titles after they have finished reading them.
Once students have fulfilled all the requirements, I will verify their finished books. Therefore, it is vital that all completed books are entered online. Students will receive value cards, house points and an invitation to a special library party if they complete the Challenge. Each student will also receive a certificate signed by Premier Daniel Andrews.
If students need extra assistance or are having problems logging in, they can email me at Georgia.Flaskas@education.vic.gov.au
WHEELERS E-BOOKS AND AUDIOBOOKS
The Library has subscribed to Wheelers enabling all our students to access ebooks and audiobooks at home. ePlatform by Wheelers is a very user friendly platform that is being used by many school libraries in Australia. Both eBooks and eAudio Books are accessible via apps for mobile phones, iPads and web browser mode on laptop or desktop devices.
What to do:
Download the app from iTunes – its free. Alternatively, you can get the app from Google Play for Android phones.
OR
For web browsing, go to our Library Page at https://lalorsc.wheelers.co/
1. When you have browsed and you are wanting to ‘borrow’, select ‘Borrow’.
2. The next screen will ask you to sign in by entering your username and the generic password. All students can sign in using the details that have been posted in the Compass news feed and in the School Resources library resources folder.
There are a huge range of titles and students will only be able to borrow an e-book if it is not checked out to another patron.
CLICKVIEW ONLINE
Finally, students are reminded that they can access lots of documentaries and films that can assist them with their learning at www.clickview.com.au Students can log in using their Edupass username (school email address) and password.
Georgia Flaskas – Library Resource Centre Manager
Contact: Georgia.Flaskas@education.vic.gov.au
NEW BOOKS
The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen
From number one New York Times bestselling author Sarah Dessen comes a big-hearted novel about a girl who reconnects with a part of her family she hasn’t seen since she was a little girl - and falls in love, all over the course of a magical summer.
We Are All Greta: Be Inspired To Save The World By Valentina Giannella
Follow in Greta Thunberg’s footsteps and join the global mission to save our planet from climate change.
With in-depth text and data, this necessary and timely book will answer readers' questions on what climate change means, what its consequences will be, and what must be done to protect our world.
Ms Marvel No Normal by Willow Wilson
Kamala Khan is an ordinary girl from Jersey City until she is suddenly empowered with extraordinary gifts. But who truly is the all-new Ms. Marvel? Find out as she takes the Marvel Universe by storm! As Kamala discovers the dangers of her newfound powers, she unlocks a secret behind them as well. Is Kamala ready to wield these immense new gifts?
The Unwanted: stories of the Syrian refugees by Don Brown
Starting in 2011, refugees flood out of war-torn Syria in Exodus-like proportions. The surprising flood of victims overwhelms neighbouring countries, and chaos follows. Resentment in host nations heightens as disruption and the cost of aid grows. By 2017, many want to turn their backs on the victims. The refugees are the unwanted.
Don Brown depicts moments of both heartbreaking horror and hope in the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis. Shining a light on the stories of the survivors, The Unwanted is a testament to the courage and resilience of the refugees and a call to action for all those who read.
Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds
‘One of the best love stories I’ve ever read.’ Angie Thomas, bestselling author of The Hate U Give. From debut author Justin A. Reynolds comes The Opposite of Always, a razor-sharp, hilarious and heartfelt novel about the choices we make, the people we choose and the moments that make life worth reliving. Perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon and John Green.
My Hero Academia By Kohei Horikoshi
What would the world be like if 80 percent of the population manifested superpowers called Quirks at age four? Heroes and villains would be battling it out everywhere! Being a hero would mean learning to use your power, but where would you go to study? The Hero Academy of course! But what would you do if you were one of the 20 percent who were born Quirkless? Middle school student Izuku Midoriya wants to be a hero more than anything, but he hasn’t got an ounce of power in him. With no chance of ever getting into the prestigious U.A. High School for budding heroes, his life is looking more and more like a dead end. Then an encounter with All Might, the greatest hero of them all, gives him a chance to change his destiny…
Love Is War By Kagua-Sama
Two high school geniuses scheme to get the other to confess their love first. Two geniuses. Two brains. Two hearts. One battle. Who will confess their love first…?! Will Kaguya and Miyuki share the shelter of an umbrella in a storm? Is carrying a knife dripping with blood proof that Kaguya is trying to kill a member of the student council? How will Kaguya react when Chika introduces her to potty humor? Then, Chika must intervene when Miyuki dispenses bad advice on a topic he knows nothing about, Miyuki tries to develop his kinaesthetic intelligence, and Kaguya and her personal assistant play a practical joke on Miyuki that has dire consequences.
