Our school library is an important part of our community. It is a supportive environment in which students can nurture their love for reading and use our wide collection of books and resources to support their classroom learning. The library is open throughout the day and has structured lessons that develop an understanding of how books can be used to explore their world and the wider world. But mostly, our library is about enjoying books.
We have a comprehensive bilingual section, which supports our community of students and parents with a first language other than English. The library is open at lunchtime from Monday to Thursday. It is a time for students to enjoy the many facilities our library offers. It is a busy atmosphere, with students on computers, friends playing board games, drawing, writing and some relaxing with a book.
Our books are regularly updated with contemporary and award-winning books, which allows our community to be up to date with current trends in literature for young people. Recently we hosted a Book Fair and made enough money to add more books to our great collection -- thank you, students and parents, for your support.
Volunteers
The library needs volunteers to cover books, shelve books and other little odd jobs. If you have some spare time contact our library staff who will definitely appreciate your help.
Students return and borrow books during their structured library time. We encourage children to bring in books they have finished reading back on any day and borrow a new book. Students cannot borrow a book if they still have one at home. However, it is important for students to have a library bag, or book folder to protect the books.
A library bag can be a recycled plastic bag. The bag or folder need to have the students name and class clearly labelled on it to so as borrowed books left behind find their way back to the borrower. Children love borrowing and are disappointed if they can't. I am pleased to say that at Marrickville West Public School we have lots of keen borrowers.
Vinyl, draw-string library bags (with school crest) can be purchased at the school office for $9.
Our library timetable
- Monday: -
- Tuesday: 6E, 6P, 2/3A and 3B
- Wednesday: 4/5H, 4K, 5C, 5S, 2F and 2M
- Thursday: 1A, 1F, 1L, KJ, KS, KP
- Friday: -
*Students in the Support Unit attend Library with their Peer Classes
At Marrickville West, our Teacher librarian is Mrs Whitfield.
Students visit the library once a week for a library lesson but may borrow as often as they wish if they are fast readers. They must, however, return books before new ones can be loaned. If your child is absent on their library day they are more than welcome to pop in and return and borrow a new book any day of the week as well.
Borrowing
Children from Kindergarten may borrow 1 book each time they visit the library.
Year 1 and Year 2 may borrow up to 2 books each time as long as there are no outstanding loans.
Year 3 and Year 4 may borrow up 2 books at a time as long as there are no outstanding loans.
Year 5 and Year 6 students may borrow up to 2 books on each occasion as long as there are no outstanding loans.
We encourage students to choose a suitable book themselves as this develops their tastes and skills. However, this does not always occur so the library teacher is always there to help.
