Library
The Joys of working in a School Library.
When I started work at Wyndham District High School Library I brought with me my life long love of books and my bewilderment of children. Books had always held a prominent place in my life, children had not, so I was comfortable with one and unfamiliar the other. My love of books has remained but my mystification of children has turned to pure joy. Children are a constant source of pleasure and delight. Seldom has a day gone by without, if not a laugh, then at least a secret smile at their antics.
One day while repairing a much loved picture book, to my surprise I looked up to discover a student watching my every move. With large brown eyes, full of awe and wonderment the observer whispered "Miss Jane, did you make all these books"?
Another time a little girl from year one came up to me and said "Miss Jane I didn't used to like the library, now I do, and I read a book about a hat and it was really good".
What other places of employment would offer such gems of sweetness and innocence or enable the job satisfaction of igniting the magical spark to the beginning of reading. Books can take the reader to other worlds; with a book you always have a friend, always have company, always inspiration, always joy, fun, adventure. And what is education if it is not teaching the joys of life, how to find peace and contentment in the simple things, like curling up with a good book.
The library should be the hub of the school where students feel relaxed and comfortable. Where books are demystified and yet still respected and enjoyed. This is the policy in our library, the students are encouraged to come and browse, and maybe to discover that the book about the hat can lead to bigger and better things.
Look out for book week information coming soon.