and school libraries both in Australia and the USA .
We knew that boys might be unfamiliar with a number of our quality resources . Boys traditionally prefer a hard copy novel ; however , with books out of reach we could offer them our Wheelers e-books and audio books . These were promoted in a visually appealing manner on our online catalogue and home pages . Moreover , we created video guides and tutorials . Here in these video guides a friendly voice accompanies the user while he is exploring and navigating the resource .
The A-Z of e-resources gives our teachers and boys streamlined access to databases for science , history , literature , academic research across disciplines , and international and local newspapers . In addition there are collections of online Australian journals in health and social sciences , and outstanding video libraries and streaming video services .
We know from the research that information seekers will choose a Google search as a first choice unless they know that authoritative resources are also easily found . Many students have no means of assessing the validity of a website , unless they can compare it to another source which is reliable and can be trusted .
We are certain that embedding our more authoritative library resources in a subject guide will provide students with pertinence in their research , but will stand up well in comparison to commercial sites or blogs of enthusiasts – which is what Wikipedia is , for example . I will argue that Wikipedia has its place , but only if it can be compared with articles that can be found in JSTOR , Britannica or in an Ebsco database journal .
Should a boy be unsure of how to navigate the library home pages or need specific assistance with a project , a virtual librarian is available during and after school hours . This was most useful during the lockdown period , and will be continued in the foreseeable future .
This year we held our Best Books for Boys online , as our event in March was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions . In this we created an evolving online environment for the boys on our home pages where content was uploaded daily . Many of the boys submitted video book reviews which we showcased and for which we awarded prizes on the night , as well as written reviews from many boys . The site also contained profiles of the guest speakers – Stig Wemyss and Tristan Bancks – scavenger hunts , staff book reviews and more .
Judging by the number of participants , the evening was a huge success , with over 90 families joining in for a fast-paced , action-packed evening event on Zoom .
This year has been a catalyst for change , and the Scotch Library home pages will continue to provide a dynamic space for teaching and learning , as well as a welcoming supportive virtual space for our community of readers .
WILMA KURVINK – HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL LIBRARY
www . scotch . vic . edu . au Great Scot 45