KRC Update

by Director of Library and Information Services, Ms Leonie Darken

New staff member

It is with great pleasure we welcome Jess Murphy to the library staff team.  Jess is a past student, class of 2021 and has joined us as a Library Technician Trainee.  Jess will be a great asset as throughout his time as a student he was an avid reader.  His knowledge of the collection will translate to influence his ability to offer great advice to students as they browse to locate books to enrich their reading for pleasure.

Physical Environment

Over the holidays we were fortunate to see the installation of two new air-conditioning units in the KRC (Kelty Resource Centre), the beginning of the process to refurb all the library’s heating and cooling needs.  The initial work has made a considerable difference to the ambient temperatures we experience on the hot days of our Ballarat summer, and we look forward to feeling the benefits during our winters.

Reading and your boy

St Patrick’s College has continued to promote the boys’ reading for pleasure, hence, the WIRED (Wide Interest Reading for English Development) program.  Boys in Years 7 – 9 are timetabled an opportunity to visit the library to select books for reading for pleasure.  At the beginning of the year, it would seem like an opportune time to remind both parents and students that like any muscle, the brain’s ability to read and process written text, will only improve with practice.  The reading encouraged once a fortnight during WIRED sessions needs to be practiced and supplemented at home as part of a student’s homework regime.  This not only sees the muscle exercised but it also allows for the story to develop, entice and capture the boy’s interest, all of which will enhance the “pleasure” of the reading experience.  Please encourage this vital practice to be part of your son’s routine, start with a small goal/expectation and perhaps see it grow.  (10 minutes a day).