Library Centre

What a busy place the Sister Veronica Lonergan Library is! The library is open before and after school and during lunch time for student use. Students can be found in the library carrying out research for assignments, word processing and studying. The library staff are always on hand to help students find suitable resources. The library hosts a broad range of texts and internet resources which support students with their learning. The addition of four computers this year has allowed greater student access to technological resources. During the school day the library is booked by teachers who bring their classes to use the library resources. Small groups of students and individuals also come to the library to research, photocopy, complete tests and borrow. The library boasts an extensive range of reading material both fiction and non-fiction. The library staff use their knowledge of the collection to assist students to borrow and read books which they will enjoy. It is fantastic to see that so many of our students are enthusiastic readers who are regular visitors to the library. We particularly enjoy discussing the books with the students. So many students enjoy particular authors or series. This year The Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer has been particularly popular with many students requesting titles from the series. Some students prefer to read or simply browse through the many newspapers and magazines which the library holds. This year students were able to order The Age newspaper and collect it each day from the library. Promoting an enjoyment of reading is paramount. This year, in conjunction with the Year Seven Integrated Studies teachers and the Year Eight English teachers, students from both year levels were introduced to a variety of novels by the library staff. Time was given for the students to browse through the novels and discuss them with the staff. Each student then chose one to keep. The novel was then read and became the basis for associated activities. Author visits to the library this year also encouraged reading amongst our students. Doug MacLeod spoke to the Year Seven students in September and Archie Fusillo spoke to the Year Eight and Nine students in October. Both Doug and Archie are local writers who have written a number of highly acclaimed books for children and young adults. They have also written for local television shows and were extremely engaging speakers. The feedback from the students was very positive and both authors were generally thought to be informative and entertaining. Books by both authors were in high demand after their visits. Forty students successfully completed the Premier's Reading Challenge which Mrs. Sharon Perry organised. Each student received a certificate and a novel in recognition of their efforts. The library staff have also been involved in purchasing the books which have been given to the students receiving Academic Excellence Awards. A constant flow of students and teachers can be found heading towards the audio visual section of the library where equipment, including CD players, cameras and data projectors is lent out to staff and students. I would like to thank the library staff for their support and hard work: Mrs. Theresa Smith, Mrs. Sharon Perry, Mrs. Lyn Plummer and Mr. David Tomic.

Mrs Joan Marantelli
Library Co-ordinator