Library Corner

This term in the Library

This term has been full steam ahead! With exams and assessments well underway, the Library is a busy place, but also a haven for those needing to unwind. To that effect we have created a “De-Stress Zone” with couches, colouring-in sheets, and feel-good picture books for students (or staff!) that need to get off their screens and have a mindful break.

In line with recent research that shows teens overwhelmingly prefer print books when it comes to reading for pleasure, we continue to purchase the newest, best reading material for students. In particular, I am working to build our collection of biographies, graphic novels and manga, Australian young adult fiction and STEAM resources. We’ve extended our borrowing period to encourage students to read more, and books are flying off the shelves. According to our circulation statistics, students are currently borrowing three times as much as the same time last year. With holidays coming up, we’re also encouraging everyone to take a few extra books home to curl up with and enjoy.

We celebrated Library and Information Week this term with a book display and trivia, and to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), Library Technician Megan Gatt and I dressed as if we were librarians working 80 years ago. The students thought we’d lost our minds when they saw our 1930s-style hats and gloves, but we had fun! It was a worthy event to commemorate, as ALIA provides invaluable support for library professionals throughout Australia.

The Book Club is growing every week, and everyone is welcome to join in! We have been discussing topics like the importance of reading diversely, new series in the library, and making recommendations to each other as always. Crinkling News (the Australian youth newspaper) also got in touch asking for students to write book reviews for their publication, and I warmly congratulate Georgia Wood-Freeman and Caitlin Blair who were selected to participate. The best part is they get free books!

The Premiers’ Reading Challenge is being attempted by all Junior School students, and next term there will be prizes awarded to the top readers and best performing class. So far 7C is in the lead, but it’s still anyone’s game! I have been visiting classes throughout the school to promote the challenge, as well as teaching students important research skills including referencing, searching TROVE and other databases, and navigating the library. Information literacy is a life skill that students in Year 7-12 can always work on improving.

Although this term has been busy, term 3 is always the biggest for school libraries. We are looking forward to exciting events such as Book Week, our very own Glen Eira Writers’ Festival, visits from three big name Australian authors (stay tuned!) and an excursion to the Melbourne Writers’ Festival to learn about diverse mediums from slam poetry to fan fiction.

As we descend into the colder months, remember: it’s warm in here at the Library, and we have enough good books to get stuck into that your winter blues will soon be the last thing on your mind!

Karys McEwen

College Librarian