Victorian high-school clarifies library ‘rebranded’ not abolished

3 April 2019 Books+Publishing

A Victorian high-school has confirmed it has rebranded, not abolished, its school library, contrary to a highly publicised Age article that ‘misrepresented the reality of the situation’.

Siena College principle Gaynor Robson-Garth wrote to the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) to clarify its school library has been rebranded as the Albertus Magnus Learning Centre, and it ‘continues to offer all library services to students and staff’.

‘The College Library has been transformed into a Learning Centre that continues to offer all library services to students and staff, including a significant collection of fiction and nonfiction books, journals, newspapers, magazines and other print resources, as well as online access to other libraries,’ Robson-Garth wrote. ‘The Albertus Magnus Learning Centre includes spaces for quiet reading and for research. Our valued staff, especially our Library Technicians, support the ongoing resourcing of our community.’

ALIA CEO Sue McKerracher said the original story ‘caused a great deal of distress among our school library Members but we are pleased to be able to help set the record straight and we appreciate the Principal’s speedy action in doing so’.

ALIA has also written to the Age offering to write a piece about ‘the value of, and need for, school libraries’.

Category: Junior Library news