Marrickville Library supports St Brigid’s

One of the first places I turned to when I realised St Brigid's library would not be operational, was Marrickville Library and History Services. 

I was familiar with the ethos of this library because I'd completed professional placement at Marrickville Library for my Masters in Teacher Librarianship a few years ago. Also, our classes had visited and I'd promoted events and programs through my blog and school newsletters.

I knew that the staff of Marrickville Library were very supportive of the local community. When I contacted Ken Cullen, the Coordinator of Library Services, he was only too happy to help in any way needed. 

We arranged a bulk loan from Marrickville Library, to be delivered to our school next week. Our students will borrow these books, which will allow continuity of their library borrowing practice. I'll keep you posted when the books arrive! 

We've also arranged for classes to visit Marrickville library for some lessons, while our library is out of action. I know the Children's Librarians are looking forward to facilitating this later in the term.

Students will receive a flyer at school next week encouraging membership of Marrickville Library - a great idea any time, but especially important while our library is out of action.

Below is the media release from Marrickville Library regarding the support they're giving to St Brigid's:

"Marrickville Library and History is giving St Brigid’s Catholic Primary School a helping hand following the devastating fire that tore through the school in January.

The school’s library was completely destroyed in the fire — just a week before students returned for the new school year.

Marrickville Library and St Brigid’s are now working together, with librarians from both the school and the library developing a strategy ensuring children still have access to books and other valuable resources.

Mayor Sam Iskander says the Library is a key advocate in supporting the importance of literacy in primary schooling.

“Building blocks to literacy start early in life, and Marrickville Library and History helps children learn to love reading – the earlier the better, “Cr Iskander said.

 “St Brigid’s has a strong reading culture where each student has their own library bag and borrows between one and four books a week. The Library is pleased to safeguard this culture during this time of need.

 “The Library has an effective working relationship with local schools and it’s definitely a link we want to continue strengthening in the future, we have a lot to offer.

“In collaborating with St Brigid’s this way, the Library is ensuring that each child not only has access to books and the Library as a space, but we are also offering to train teachers in running activities themselves using Library materials ,” he said."