Figure 1.--Many New Zealand school libraries have comfortable little nooks where children can get lost in a good book.
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Figure 1.--Many New Zealand school libraries have comfortable little nooks where children can get lost in a good book. |
Reading can be an exciting experience for students of all ages. Here teachers vary greatly in their ability to excite the children about books and reading. Librarians can play a very important role here. Most New Zealand schools have excellent libraries which have become known as media centers. This provides a wide range of books to New Zealand students. This of course depends somewhat on the size of the school. Smaller schools have financial limitations on their library collections. The design of the libraries vary. Most are airy, brightly lit and inviting spaves. Some are structured very traditionally, basically around the books. Others have given more attention to the children. Many New Zealand school libraries have comfortable little nooks where children can get lost in a good book. This is especially true for the primary and prep schools. The internet has had a major impact on libraries. Internet access provides phenomeal access to masterials no matter how small or isolated the school. New Zealand schools are now debating the role of the library in the overall school program. Besides the obvious roles libraries play at New Zealand schools, the libraries are also involved in reading programs aimed at improving the children's reading skills.
Reading can be an exciting experience for students of all ages. Here teachers vary greatly in their ability to excite the children about books and reading. Teachers working with very young children draw them in with picture books. One teacher reserved about 15 minutes near the end of the day to reading a book with the childrem. The boys in her class looked forward to this every day. The book we watched her read with the boys gathered aroun her was Roald Dahl's James anf the Giant Peach. Part of the enthusiam was not doubt Dahl's writing, but a good measure was the teacher's enthusiam and manner. Primary level teachers seem to be much more successful in this area than secondary teachers. . Perhaps it is the age difference of the children, but we suspect that primary teachers are much more imaginative in this area. Librarians can also play a very important role here.
Most New Zealand schools have excellent libraries which have become known as media centers. This provides a wide range of books to New Zealand students. This of course depends somewhat on the size of the school. Smaller schools have financial limitations on their library collections. The design of the libraries vary. Most are airy, brightly lit and inviting spaves. Some are structured very traditionally, basically around the books. Others have given more attention to the children. Many New Zealand school libraries have comfortable little nooks where children can get lost in a good book. This is especially true for the primary and prep schools. The internet has had a major impact on libraries. Internet access provides phenomeal access to masterials no matter how small or isolated the school.
New Zealand educators are now discussing the role of the library in the overall school program. The focus has been on providing valuable resources and comfortable inviting spaces. Librarians are now assessing the ability of the library to play an even more valuable role in the school program. Besides the obvious roles libraries play at New Zealand schools, the libraries are also involved in reading programs aimed at improving the children's reading skills.
