The Readings Foundation provides support for the PRACE Community Library.

I recently caught up with Barb, our Making Connections++ teacher, to ask how her students are managing the responsibility of looking after the PRACE Community Library. The library was established back in August 2012 through local government and community donations and has had continued support via a grant from The Readings Foundation. It is hard to believe that the library has already celebrated its one year anniversary and is now half way to anniversary number two.

Barb had a discussion with the students about managing the library and what the challenges and rewards are that go along with it. Here is some of what they said about maintaining the library:

Sometimes it’s difficult because books are in the wrong order. We check borrowing of books and follow up late returns. This is difficult if people forget. We get a bit shy when following up returns, but this is good for our confidence.

We see people using the library often on breaks from class and after school. Some students borrow books to read to their children. The library gets messy which shows that people are using it.

When asked how the library helped PRACE, the students said:

It encourages people to read more; they don’t have to go to the city library. It gives the area a ‘coffee shop feeling’ and can be a conversation starter or talking point between students.

I spoke to a number of library users and all loved the convenience of borrowing before and after lessons. Many brought the books home to share with their families.

PRACE students in community library

When Barb asked the class for ideas on how we can encourage more students to use the library, the students had some wonderful suggestions: a display for ‘Book of the Month’ and a prize for best review. The students themselves are already great spruikers of what is available at the library, regularly going around to classes and talking about new books while highlighting the library’s services and asking nicely for late returns.

Barb underscores the importance of the library for her students. Reflecting on the official opening of the library and the students’ role in helping to set it up and then maintain it, she says, ‘The group came together as a team with great focus and a melding of the students. Each one was given the opportunity to be in the spotlight and told by many that they did a “wonderful job”. … As teacher of their group I think it a wonderful, rewarding experience for them that gives genuine recognition, something that is often missing in these students lives.’

We are so pleased that the library has brought not only myriad opportunities for students to improve their literacy, but has also provided one of our classes with a great source of pride.

++ The Making Connections program is for people with mild intellectual or learning difficulties. The program develops employability and life skills, including literacy, numeracy, and basic computer skills through a range of activities and experiences.

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