Beacon Hill Public School

Be proud to achieve

Telephone02 9451 6328

Emailbeaconhill-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Library

Beacon Hill Public School library is a vibrant, inviting learning space. It is here that your child’s love of reading stories and learning can be nurtured through their choice of books during the weekly visit to the library. Our collection of books covers a range of popular and quality picture books for children from Kindergarten to Year 6.

There are high interest short chapter books and longer novels for independent readers.  We enjoy a comprehensive collection of nonfiction books covering a broad range of topics and interests.  Children are welcome to suggest new books to purchase. We keep our collection current by adding new releases regularly.

Borrowing

Below is a guide to how many books a student can borrow:

  • Kindergarten can borrow one book in Term 1 and up to two books after.
  • KIndergarten to Year 2 can borrow two books.
  • Year 3 to Year 6can borrow up to four books.

Visiting the library and lessons

During lessons children can return, browse and borrow books. There is usually a story time and there may be an Information Literacy (IL) lesson. In IL, we look at how to find information from a variety of sources and also how to critically use it. Use of technology, including the interactive whiteboard, laptops, desktop computers and iPads are used to support this learning. IL lessons complement classroom activities.

We subscribe to the online encyclopaedia, World Book Online. The children are taught to access this encyclopaedia as a trusted online resource. As well as having information prepared by experts, there are also games, quizzes, video and plenty of interactive fun. This is not your traditional encyclopaedia. Your children also have access to over 700 eBooks through Worldbook online. Username and password information is available from the library or your child’s teacher. 

For more information, visit the World Book Online website. 

Tips

Below are some useful library tips:

  • It is important for your children to take responsibility for the books they borrow but the following tips may help.
  • Remind your child to take their library books and bags on the correct day.
  • The children are welcome to change their library books immediately before or after school if they have forgotten on library day or need a quick change of their reading material.
  • Provide a library bag. Bags are available for purchase at the Uniform Shop. A bag bought commercially or a plastic bag in an emergency are suitable.
  • Help your child decide on a place at home to keep the library books and bag in between visits.
  • There are no fines for overdue books. Parents will be asked to pay for any lost or badly damaged books. 

Opening times

The library is open during lunch times for children to visit. During this time the library is a busy hive of activity. Children engage in reading, drawing or using the computers.

Library monitor duties enable your children to develop leadership skills in a fun setting. Monitors are selected from interested Year 5 students. They are rostered to help one lunch time a week for two terms.

Book week

Book week in August is when we take the opportunity to celebrate Australian authors and illustrators with a focus on the Children’s Book Council of Australia shortlisted books. The children will engage in special events during this week. In the past we have been entertained with book parades, notable authors and illustrators, poetry extravaganzas and theatre productions. The annual Book Fair is highly anticipated.

Parent helpers and library events

An easy way to get involved in our school is to help out at an event or take home some books to cover. Pop into the library or look out for a request in The Beacon for volunteers to cover books.

Volunteers are also called for during our Book Fair when the children are very excited to choose books for the school library or just for them. This is a special time when the whole family can really value reading!