By Aaron Cordy
By Aaron Cordy
WITH screens stealing more attention as people navigate the digital world, paper books remain one of the best ways to disconnect, escape into magical worlds, acquire lasting knowledge and learn life’s valuable lessons.
Gowrie Street Primary School has reinvigorated their library, opening the space to help its students’ developing minds reconnect with books. Extending its partnership with Connect GV, who help in the school’s community pantry, participants organised the space, which had been abandoned for several years, revitalising it into a functioning library.
“It’s been so valuable having Connect GV here because it’s not just getting the library set up, it’s not just putting things back the way it was. It’s growth, it’s change, it’s exciting,” said lunch program coordinator and volunteer manager Chelsie Smith.
“As a small school that doesn’t get funding for a lot of things, it all goes off numbers. This is a really great partnership to have, where we can all benefit from this space as a community, as a group, with a really strong connection that hopefully will just keep growing.”
Connect GV librarian participants will monitor and care for the new library. The school was able to refill the shelves and replace old and damaged books thanks to State School Relief and other charities’ donations. There is a book hospital to repair damaged books, and a games section where students can borrow board games. Gowrie Street also plans to open the library during lunchtime so students can utilise the space in their own time.ts can borrow board games. Gowrie also plans to open the library during lunchtime so students can utilise the space in their own time.
