Organising and Resourcing a New School Library

I have been privileged to be involved in the monumental (and highly rewarding) task of setting up a new library in a brand new primary school. It has involved the carefully considered selection of a range of quality texts aimed at promoting student reading for enjoyment and also providing useful curriculum resources that will support teaching and learning in the classroom. In particular, I have focused on resourcing the cross curriculum priority areas of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures, Asia and Australia’s Engagement with Asia and Sustainability; and also establishing a comprehensive collection of wellbeing resources that support the Department of Education’s Wellbeing Framework for Schools policy document and our own whole school behaviour management focus on Dr William Glasser’s Choice Theory.

In the beginning, the library learning space was literally a blank canvas, with so much potential!

During the establishment phase, I played around with the layout to design a flexible space (based on the work of Professor David Thornburg) that incorporates a differentiation in teaching and learning spaces. I ensured the space had a good flow and ease of access to the various collections. I also made sure to factor in considerations about how the collection will grow significantly in size, particularly over the next few years.

We still have a long way to go though, in developing the collection. According the Australian Library and Information Association Schools (2017), a school of approximately 1,000 students requires a collection of approximately 17, 250 resources!

Nevertheless, the current collection is looking pretty spectacular. It is such a joy to come to work every day and be in this amazing space!

 

   

 

 

References

Australian Library and Information Association Schools & Victorian Catholic Teacher Librarians. (2017). A manual for developing policy and procedures in Australian school library resource centres. https://asla.org.au/resources/Documents/Website%20Documents/Policies/policies-procedures-manual_ed2.pdf

Department of Education. (2015). Wellbeing framework for schools. https://education.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/main-education/student-wellbeing/whole-school-approach/Wellbeing_Framework_for_Schools.pdf

Glasser, W. (1998). Choice theory. HarperCollins Publishers.

Thornburg, D. (2014). From the campfire to the holodeck: Creating engaging and powerful 21st century learning environments. Jossey-Bass.