College Libraries

De La Salle Libraries 2005

Once again, this year has been one of great change. We welcomed Mr Val Railey and Mr David Ferguson in a job-share capacity as A/V technicians. They were assisted by Mr Mohammed Musoke each Thursday for two terms. Mrs Marian Evans (Librarian) joined the Kinnoull library, leaving to pursue other job opportunities in May. Mrs Jane Pretty then joined us from Wollongong, but will be leaving us to return home at the end of the year. Further changes and enhancements to our collections continue, with a focus on replacing out-dated formats with the most relevant and up-to-date available. 2006 has been the year of moving seriously from video to DVD, as our trusty Commander system at Tiverton will be decommissioned at the end of the year, and most classrooms will by then be equipped with PCs and data projectors. We continue to strive to provide the best quality, most relevant print and electronic resources for our students and staff, acquiring as many new print titles as possible, as well as maintaining a solid, rigorous collection of depth and breadth. The physical structure of the Kinnoull Library was remodelled over the 2005-06 Christmas holidays, with the walls of the back-issue journal room and newspaper room being removed. Our non-fiction book collection was moved to this area, making a more open, airy environment for classes. Two PC laboratories were also created in the Library, and equipped with stateof-the-art computers and data projectors. The number of PCs in the Kinnoull Library for student use remains stable at 18, and our fiction and journal collections remain well-patronised and relevant. In the Tiverton Library, air-conditioning was installed over the 2005-06 Christmas holidays, to the great relief of staff and students. The Primary Library classes run by Mrs Clare Kennedy-Curtis continued as usual this year. A wonderful highlight for the boys was when Ms Catriona Hoy, wife of staff member Mr Keith Hoy, visited the College in her capacity as author of a new picture book, My Grandad Marches on Anzac Day to speak to the Primary boys. The College reading club RIC RAC (Reading Is Cool, Readers Are Clever) ran under the creative leadership of our Literature Librarian, Mrs Betty Rudin. It now includes Years 7 to 11, and has increased to over 90 members. RIC RAC certificates of participation were presented to all members at assemblies in Term 4. Book Week : “Book Now” 2006. Our visiting author this year was an Old Collegian, Robert Newton, author of Runner and The Punjabi Pappadum, amongst others. He has visited the College before and is always a hit with the boys. Book Week began as usual with a Book Week Breakfast for RIC RAC members. The Fifth Annual Book Week Literary Quiz was held in the gym and was most popular, with over 120 students and staff attending. The Daily Bulletin quiz drew much interest, and the major Book Week prize, a signed copy of Alex Ryder’s Missions by Anthony Horowitz was won by Jordan Bull in 7V. Br Bill presented the prize at an assembly where a number of students and staff dressed up as book characters. Book Week 2006 concluded with drinks for staff and the ubiquitous