Ellenfield Community College JCSP library is located beside the Art room, technology and music! It's open to all students and staff with thousands of books and resources for reading for pleasure as well as curriculum support. The digital library Sora is also free to all.
The JCSP library at Ellenfield is one of only 30 nationwide to employ a professional librarian and to receive an annual grant to allow continual updating of stock and materials and a full programme of workshops, speakers and events for students throughout the year.
This has included blacksmiths, rappers, poets, authors, wildlife and reptile exhibits, storytellers, science and technology workshops, illustrators, filmmakers and speakers on politics and wellbeing and much more, to inspire students to dream big and believe in themselves!
You will rarely be asked to shush here, this is a dynamic learning and wellbeing space at the heart of the school and the librarian works closely with teachers and departments in planning and implementing Science week, Maths week, Mental health week and school targets around literacy.
All junior classes have a timetabled library class each week and seniors attend with their English teacher. During library class we run a reading programme called Accelerated Reader which is a tool for monitoring and motivating students to independent, reading for pleasure. The students are initially tested to assess their reading level and then guided to books at their level. They do a quick quiz when they finish the book, to assess their understanding and all of this is monitored during the year, by the librarian and English teacher. Various reading challenges and rewards run throughout the year to encourage reading habits as well as JCSP initiatives such as WRaPParound, the JAFA film awards, and writing masterclasses with bestselling authors. Research skills are also promoted and developed in group projects.
Encouraging family literacy is important here too; we have a long-running outreach programme ‘The Box Of Books (BoB), so students are welcome to borrow books for their families and, parents and guardians are encouraged to visit the library.
The library is open during small break and lunchtime for borrowing, quizzing, games, and relaxing. We run a games club for 1st years on Monday lunch, a Chess club for juniors and seniors Tuesday lunch and Writer's club every second Friday lunch. If you are interested in setting up a club, please speak with the librarian.
So come in, be involved and have fun!
Drop in or contact Sarah the librarian at sarahl.purcell@ecc.cdetb.ie
Browse Our Books HERE
Virtual Library HERE
Please see the Library Twitter page for News and Events! HERE