fyi : back issues
Autumn 2004 - Place and Space
Rediscovering reading
Rachel Froud & Wendy Barnett
Galen Catholic College in the City of Wangaratta is a co-educational school with a student population of 860. Galen is in the enviable position of having two libraries on one campus. The Junior Library caters primarily for Years 7 and 8, whilst the Senior Library caters for Years 9 to 12 students. This wonderful arrangement allows us to provide reading and research material relevant to student needs, as well as being able to cater for recreational interests.
The library staff support the concept that leisure reading and the ideas
that this generates are important in the social, educational and intellectual
development of our students. Inspired by the findings of Young Australians
Reading: From Keen to Reluctant Readers, we found that there were significant
changes we could make to encourage leisure reading.
Relocation of reading area
By removing our reading classes from the ‘research’ areas
of the library and creating a completely different environment we hoped
to overcome the perception of the library as only a study resource, and
reading as ‘too much like school work’. The provision of colourful
and comfortable chairs and the regular changing of displays has enabled
us to make reading class time at Galen resemble memories of the enjoyable
‘reading corner’ experience of primary school.
How did we do it? We located, after much hunting, some
reasonably priced, comfortable and hardwearing chairs, which fitted into
our limited spaces. We decided to go with legless, wheelless, armless,
foam chairs covered with a corduroy fabric. Student suggestion eliminated
vinyl covering as an option, despite its serviceability! We chose bright,
warm colours and, in an attempt to prolong their life, and all chairs
were scotch-guarded prior to delivery. After two years of constant use
we have been pleasantly surprised by the durability of our choice.
Paper-mache monsters, posters and pot plants
Creating a reading space in the Junior Library required serious weeding
of the annexe area, where class sets, kits etc. had stockpiled over generations.
This rearrangement coincided with an upgrade of the heating, part removal
of a wall, new carpet and bright yellow paint throughout the library.
We ended up with a cosy, semi-enclosed area large enough for twenty-five
purple lounge chairs. To complete the ambience we put up paper-mache monsters,
bright posters, pot plants and book reviews.
The Junior Library reading area has provided unexpected bonuses, as there
is now a quiet recreational area for students during lunch breaks, away
from busy chess and card games. When available, it has also proved to
be most suitable for whole classes to watch videos. An important part
of the strategy in the Senior Library was to combat the decrease in leisure
reading so evident as our students progress through the College. To establish
a separate reading space free from distractions, the fiction collection
was relocated to create an enclosed area using low shelving and pot plants.
The dusty pink colouring of the shelves dictated burgundy chairs to complement
the existing surrounds.
Here, the new reading area has been a success, not only with our reading
classes but also with VCE students on study breaks. They use this area
to read the papers, look through their notes, relax and peruse the shelves.
It has become a popular lunchtime venue with our serious readers. Staff
use the area to sit and browse through resources, and as a relaxing small
group meeting space after school.
The positive responses from students and staff have proved these initiatives
are a worthwhile beginning.
The journey continues...
Young Australians Reading: From keen to reluctant readers, (2001), Melbourne:
Australian Centre for Youth Literature.
Rachel Froude is the Junior School Librarian at Galen Catholic
College, Wangaratta. Wendy Barnett is the Resource Coordinator at the
same college.