Our school library is a precious and highly valued space.
A vibrant hub of learning, stories and exploration, the library provides a welcoming place to meet, collaborate, research, relax and improve information literacy.
It empowers students to be imaginative and critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers, and discerning researchers. Our library is a place where curiosity is nurtured.
Staff foster a culture where reading is encouraged and celebrated, and texts are deeply valued for their ability to help students understand themselves and their world. This ‘reading culture’ contributes positively to students’ intellectual, social, and emotional development.
Our students can access authentic, age-appropriate resources at any time through the Oliver library management system and ACEN digital library’s Sora app.
St Joseph’s Information and Technology Centre has a warm and inviting atmosphere where students are welcome before school as well as during lunchtimes. Students are able to read, draw, colour, play board games and receive homework help. Our students are involved in the running of the library with Junior and Senior Library Monitors assisting with returning and reshelving.
There is also an opportunity for parental involvement with Family Borrowing until 4pm on Wednesday afternoon.
Library lessons are an extension of classroom learning and are often integrated with technology. Students have an opportunity to develop coding skills using Blue Bots, Scratch and Lego Mindstorm. Others explore movie making using a green Sdreen and iMovie, as well as Stop Motion Pro.
Book Week is a huge celebration at St Joseph’s, with a Book Parade, an author or illustrator visit, and even a ‘decorate a cake as a book’ competition!
Each year our students participate in the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge and the St Joseph’s Reading Challenge.
