Preparatory School Handbook 2019 | Page 11

Introduction to Guildford Grammar Preparatory School Library The Preparatory School Library is known as the Hamersley Resource Centre, and was named in honour of Mrs Judy Hamersley, the eldest grandchild of the School’s founder, Mr Charles Harper. It provides a warm and welcoming learning environment for the whole Preparatory School community – students (Kindergarten - Year 6), staff, parents and extended family, Monday to Friday between 8.15am and 3.15pm. The Library houses approximately 25,000 resources including fiction, non fiction, reference and audio visual materials. Two computer labs, each consisting of twenty six computers, are available for student use both informally and in a structured class lab. Library staff guide and assist students to search the online library catalogue and databases for resources, and an interactive white board complements the learning experience. Many special events and exciting activities are held in the Library throughout the year. Children’s Book Week, where dressing up, games, competitions, visiting authors and awesome displays are successfully organised, is always enjoyed by staff, students and families. A ‘Read To Me’ club is run in Terms 3 and 4, where parents can visit the Library with their child to select books to enjoy together. Library and information skills develop the ability to navigate the Library, its books and the internet – all of which are essential skills on the students’ learning journey. They are exposed to a wide range of literacy and taught skills to assist with reading and comprehension. 11