Let’s Talk Libraries: Southland Girls’ High School

Let’s Talk Libraries: Southland Girls’ High School

Southland Girls High School intro

Let’s Talk Libraries: Let’s Talk Libraries: Southland Girls’ High School

Since installing Accessit Library in 2017, Southland Girls’ High School has had the ability to gain insights into students’ reading preferences, leading to better budget decisions.

Type  Secondary School
Roll 1,052
Install Local and Cloud installation

Keywords:

  • School budget
  • Data Migration Process
  • Borrower Activity Reports
  • Customer Support

Paula McIntyre, School Librarian, has been with Southland Girls’ High School (SGHS) for 5 years. The Library Management System she inherited from her predecessor was out of date and in need of an upgrade.

When I started, I found that the school’s Library Management System was dated. Our Student Management System was part of the same package, so at the time it had made sense to run the library system alongside it, but it was clear to me that the library had outgrown its capabilities. After going to local school librarian meetings and hearing everyone’s fabulous stories about Accessit Library, I knew it would be far superior to what we had and I decided to take the plunge.

When installation day came, the Data Migrations team – David and Shelley – were very accommodating and patiently helped Paula onboard.

I remember on the first day of installation, my office phone battery died, and I was running around school trying to find a decent phone. At no point did the staff from Accessit Library seem stressed or annoyed with me, which completely blew my mind as I do not think I slept for the week before in case I lost our whole library system in the process. They were amazing and so relaxed about the whole process.

Since Accessit Library has been installed, Paula has noticed some positive changes in the behaviour of the students using the library.

I have had a lot less of, “Mrs McIntyre, where is the book?”, as students tend to search the catalogue and find it themselves. This has been more prevalent in the Year 7 & 8s, as I run ‘How to’ classes when they start at SGHS on how to use the library catalogue etc.

Student issuing a book from librarian

With the training that Paula provided her students, students at Southland Girls’ High school find it easy to find the books and resources that they need.

It has been so beneficial to have all the resources available in one place. Over the years, I have found that if students can’t find what they are looking for in three clicks, they say, “I can’t find anything,” and give up. So, to have the resources right at their fingertips is invaluable.

Paula also uses Accessit Library to communicate what books the students are reading to teaching staff, helping to direct budget spend. She is also finding that the students are more engaged with the digital aspect of the library, as information is presented on the Accessit Library Web App in a similar way to other common apps and platforms.

I can keep a track on the girls’ usage better and report back to staff, and I can search by Media and see what books are being used the most. I can look back at their borrowing history and add locations, helping me generify the fiction room easily, which helps the girls find fiction books easier.

Students reading in library
I also think the Accessit Library Web App is so user friendly and modern that the girls feel they are ‘up with the play’. It has helped me purchase books aimed at what the girls are reading now by going into the statistics. There is so much information available to us through Accessit Library, I don’t even think I have scratched the surface of what it can do to help.
Southland Girls High School Web App

Paula has really appreciated the Support team at Accessit Library. They’ve helped her onboard and are friendly and helpful when she needs it the most.

I will contact them with the most ridiculous, confusing way of explaining my problem and they are so patient! Nothing is ever a problem. I would not hesitate to ask for help – they are incredible. I have found Accessit Library wonderful, library changing and user friendly, but I think I have only scratched the surface of what it can do.

Books for Middle Grade Plus

Books for Middle Grade Plus

Case Study – East Durham College UK

Case Study – East Durham College UK

Accessit Update 9.3.6: Language Tools

Accessit Update 9.3.6: Language Tools

New Accessit and Peters Partnership Helps UK Schools Strengthen Libraries Without Compromising Budgets

New Accessit and Peters Partnership Helps UK Schools Strengthen Libraries Without Compromising Budgets

The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Reading Program in an International School

The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Reading Program in an International School

How to Prove Your Library’s Impact and Win Support: A Guide for International Schools

How to Prove Your Library’s Impact and Win Support: A Guide for International Schools

What Makes a “Busy” Library in an International School – and Why It Matters

What Makes a “Busy” Library in an International School – and Why It Matters

How International Schools Can Automate Their Library & Free Up Time for What Matters 

How International Schools Can Automate Their Library & Free Up Time for What Matters 

Beyond the Shelves: How Accessit Helps School Libraries Every Step of the Way

Beyond the Shelves: How Accessit Helps School Libraries Every Step of the Way

Books to Help Teach Empathy

Books to Help Teach Empathy

Picture Books – Top Picks

Picture Books – Top Picks

A Learning and Marketing Tool to Increase Student Engagement

A Learning and Marketing Tool to Increase Student Engagement

Bring on The Comics!

Bring on The Comics!

The (Multiple) Books of Christmas

The (Multiple) Books of Christmas

What Does Information Literacy Mean?

What Does Information Literacy Mean?

Substitution Rules Don’t Have To Be Scary

Substitution Rules Don’t Have To Be Scary

Embedding the Library as a Whole School Resource

Embedding the Library as a Whole School Resource

Getting Creative With Visual Search

Getting Creative With Visual Search

Starting The Year Off Right in Your Library

Starting The Year Off Right in Your Library

Case Study – Avondale School, NSW

Case Study – Avondale School, NSW

Case Study – Riva Primary, WA

Case Study – Riva Primary, WA

Including Digital Resources in Your Library

Including Digital Resources in Your Library

Let’s Talk Libraries: Cheney School – Jill Fenton

Let’s Talk Libraries: Cheney School – Jill Fenton

Let’s Talk Libraries: Bishop Gilpin C of E Primary School – Sally Le Marquand

Let’s Talk Libraries: Bishop Gilpin C of E Primary School – Sally Le Marquand

Creating a School-wide Reading Culture

Creating a School-wide Reading Culture

Let’s Talk Libraries: Thomas Hardye School – Jenny Stevens

Let’s Talk Libraries: Thomas Hardye School – Jenny Stevens

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Good Help (OLGH) – Sarah Olushonde

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Good Help (OLGH) – Sarah Olushonde

Let’s Talk Libraries: St Anthony’s High School – Jill Adler

Let’s Talk Libraries: St Anthony’s High School – Jill Adler

Let’s Talk Libraries: Somerhill – Susan Smith

Let’s Talk Libraries: Somerhill – Susan Smith

Let’s Talk Libraries: Beacon Academy – Natasha Allen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Beacon Academy – Natasha Allen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Southland Girls’ High School

Let’s Talk Libraries: Southland Girls’ High School

Let’s Talk Libraries: Littlehampton Primary – Barb O’Connor

Let’s Talk Libraries: Littlehampton Primary – Barb O’Connor

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Hill School (US) – Nancy Body, Catherine Clowes

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Hill School (US) – Nancy Body, Catherine Clowes

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Lourdes – Danielle Leathart

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Lourdes – Danielle Leathart

Let’s Talk Libraries: Richmond & Prahran High School – Karys McEwen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Richmond & Prahran High School – Karys McEwen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Croxley Danes School – Victoria Rovira

Let’s Talk Libraries: Croxley Danes School – Victoria Rovira

The Lovett School – Storybook Pumpkin Contest

The Lovett School – Storybook Pumpkin Contest

Web App of the Week: World Book Day (UK) – Free download

Web App of the Week: World Book Day (UK) – Free download

Web App of the Week: Waitangi Day – Free download

Web App of the Week: Waitangi Day – Free download

Supporting Reluctant Readers

Supporting Reluctant Readers

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Lovett School – Robyn Martin

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Lovett School – Robyn Martin

Let’s Talk Libraries: Lloyd Street Primary School (VIC)

Let’s Talk Libraries: Lloyd Street Primary School (VIC)

Let’s Talk Libraries: Seatoun School – Wendy Bamber

Let’s Talk Libraries: Seatoun School – Wendy Bamber

Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Competition Recap

Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Competition Recap

Raising the profile of your school library

Raising the profile of your school library

Let’s Talk Libraries: Christian College Geelong (VIC) – Gerradine Barry

Let’s Talk Libraries: Christian College Geelong (VIC) – Gerradine Barry

Let’s Talk Libraries: Paula Na Nagara – St Mark’s School 

Let’s Talk Libraries: Paula Na Nagara – St Mark’s School 

Let’s Talk Libraries: Diocese of Toowoomba (QLD) – Liz Newman

Let’s Talk Libraries: Diocese of Toowoomba (QLD) – Liz Newman

Let’s Talk Libraries: Peace Lutheran College (QLD) – Tanya Mills

Let’s Talk Libraries: Peace Lutheran College (QLD) – Tanya Mills

Web App of the Week: Halloween – Free download

Web App of the Week: Halloween – Free download

The Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Free resource download

The Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Free resource download

Accessit Library Talks – Episode 1 – Kevin Arscott of Coleg Gwent

Accessit Library Talks – Episode 1 – Kevin Arscott of Coleg Gwent

Web App of the Week: Dixons Cottingley Academy

Web App of the Week: Dixons Cottingley Academy

Web App of the Week: Sydenham School

Web App of the Week: Sydenham School

Librarians of Accessit – Sarah Pavey

Librarians of Accessit – Sarah Pavey

An introduction to using Social Media in your library

An introduction to using Social Media in your library

Web App of the Week: Denefield School

Web App of the Week: Denefield School

Getting students involved in your school library

Getting students involved in your school library

Web App of the Week: Environment Day & World Oceans Day – Free Download

Web App of the Week: Environment Day & World Oceans Day – Free Download

Web App of the Week – Ursuline Academy of Dallas

Web App of the Week – Ursuline Academy of Dallas

Web App of the Week – Woodland Middle School Academy

Web App of the Week – Woodland Middle School Academy

Web App of the Week – Anzac Day – Free download

Web App of the Week – Anzac Day – Free download

Web App of the Week – Sarah Bonnell School

Web App of the Week – Sarah Bonnell School

Librarian Talk – Claire Bavister – Woodland Middle School Academy 

Librarian Talk – Claire Bavister – Woodland Middle School Academy 

Librarian Talk – Mary McGavin – Fulham Prep School

Librarian Talk – Mary McGavin – Fulham Prep School

Web App of the Week: Happy Holidays – Free download

Web App of the Week: Happy Holidays – Free download

Librarian Talk – Poonampal Kaur – Sarah Bonnell School

Librarian Talk – Poonampal Kaur – Sarah Bonnell School

How to promote your school library catalogue

How to promote your school library catalogue

Librarian Talk – Jason Saikaly – Barker College

Librarian Talk – Jason Saikaly – Barker College

How to approach collection development in school libraries

How to approach collection development in school libraries

Web App of the Week – Thornbury High School

Web App of the Week – Thornbury High School

Lynn Swannell – Mount Eliza Secondary College, Victoria, Australia

Lynn Swannell – Mount Eliza Secondary College, Victoria, Australia

Librarian Talk – Wendy Wright – Avonside Girls’ High & Shirley Boys’ High

Librarian Talk – Wendy Wright – Avonside Girls’ High & Shirley Boys’ High

15 downloadable resources every school librarian needs

15 downloadable resources every school librarian needs

Web App of the Week – Ashburton College

Web App of the Week – Ashburton College

Librarian Talk – Leisa Westerhof – Norwood Morialta High School

Librarian Talk – Leisa Westerhof – Norwood Morialta High School

Web App of the Week – Barker College

Web App of the Week – Barker College

Librarian Talk – Delia Achten – Ashburton College

Librarian Talk – Delia Achten – Ashburton College

Librarian Talk – Frances Currie – Prendergast Vale School

Librarian Talk – Frances Currie – Prendergast Vale School

Web App of the Week – Durrington High School

Web App of the Week – Durrington High School

Web App of the Week – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Web App of the Week – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Librarian Talk – Melissa Ashby – Wanaka Primary School

Librarian Talk – Melissa Ashby – Wanaka Primary School

Web App of the Week: Matariki – Free Download

Web App of the Week: Matariki – Free Download

Librarian Talk – Sasha Roth – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Librarian Talk – Sasha Roth – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Web App of the Week – Wanaka Primary School

Web App of the Week – Wanaka Primary School

Librarian Talk – Jill Marriott – Corinna School

Librarian Talk – Jill Marriott – Corinna School

Web App of the Week – Great Baddow High School

Web App of the Week – Great Baddow High School

Web App of the Week – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Web App of the Week – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Librarian Talk – Gemma Sosnowsky – Queen Elizabeth School

Librarian Talk – Gemma Sosnowsky – Queen Elizabeth School

Librarian Talk – Donna Harris – Great Baddow High School

Librarian Talk – Donna Harris – Great Baddow High School

Web App of the Week – Abington Friends School

Web App of the Week – Abington Friends School

Librarian Talk – Kay Morfett – Rolleston School

Librarian Talk – Kay Morfett – Rolleston School

Web App of the Week – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Web App of the Week – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Librarian Talk – Gabrielle Wales – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Librarian Talk – Gabrielle Wales – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Web App of the Week – Rolleston School

Web App of the Week – Rolleston School

Librarian Talk – Sally Baker – High School Librarian

Librarian Talk – Sally Baker – High School Librarian

Web App of the Week: Harmony ISD

Web App of the Week: Harmony ISD

Librarian Talk – Barbara Krainik – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Librarian Talk – Barbara Krainik – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Librarian Talk – Jill Adler – St. Anthony’s High School

Librarian Talk – Jill Adler – St. Anthony’s High School

Web App of the Week: The Jedi Academy

Web App of the Week: The Jedi Academy

Web App of the Week: St Anthony’s High School

Web App of the Week: St Anthony’s High School

Librarian Talk – Lori Davis – District Librarian

Librarian Talk – Lori Davis – District Librarian

Librarian Talk — Toni Vahlsing — Abington Friends School 

Librarian Talk — Toni Vahlsing — Abington Friends School 

Diversity and Inclusion – Accessit Book Club

Diversity and Inclusion – Accessit Book Club

Supporting mental health in the library: Mallinson Library, Wellington College, Berkshire

Supporting mental health in the library: Mallinson Library, Wellington College, Berkshire

Loving books this Valentine’s Day!

Loving books this Valentine’s Day!

Information and Digital Literacy – Richer Through Collaboration

Information and Digital Literacy – Richer Through Collaboration

The library – a safe space for everyone

The library – a safe space for everyone

On the Road Again – NZ Roadshow 2019

On the Road Again – NZ Roadshow 2019

Genrefying your library: Unley High School

Genrefying your library: Unley High School

Building a Strong Reading Culture: St Rita’s College Library

Building a Strong Reading Culture: St Rita’s College Library

Australia Roadshow 2019 – a great success!

Australia Roadshow 2019 – a great success!

Creating an amazing online library presence

Creating an amazing online library presence

Deepening literacy engagement

Deepening literacy engagement

Tsukuba International School

Tsukuba International School

Otago Boys’ High School

Otago Boys’ High School

Le Régent College

Le Régent College

Wesley Intermediate School

Wesley Intermediate School

Fuqua School

Fuqua School

Kamo High School

Kamo High School

Mental Health Foundation of NZ

Mental Health Foundation of NZ

Leicestershire County Council

Leicestershire County Council

Cambridge High School

Cambridge High School

Saint Kentigern College

Saint Kentigern College

Culford School

Culford School

Greenhithe School

Greenhithe School

Reynella East College

Reynella East College

Tyndale Christian School

Tyndale Christian School

Shepparton High School

Shepparton High School

Let’s Talk Libraries: Littlehampton Primary – Barb O’Connor

Let’s Talk Libraries: Littlehampton Primary – Barb O’Connor

Littlehampton Primary

Let’s Talk Libraries: Littlehampton Primary – Barb O’Connor

Littlehampton Primary’s Teacher Librarian, Barb O’Connor, illustrates a fantastic relationship between her students and Accessit Library, highlighting how many use it from the Kindy class upwards and how some senior students become Littlehampton’s Library Legends: a group so well trained in Accessit Library they spend time each week teaching other students.

Barb also discusses how Accessit Library helps reluctant readers and dyslexic students, whilst helping her teach best practice research skills, promote Australian Aboriginal culture and make the library more visible and accessible to the school community.

Type  Primary School
Roll 433
Campus One campus
Install Cloud installation

Keywords:

  • One Search federated searching
  • Readers’ Advisory
  • Student librarians
  • Inquiry based learning
  • Evidence-based practice

Accessit Library’s One Search federated searching is wonderful and the visual dashboard appeals to our primary school audience. The Accessit Library Web App is a great one-stop-shop to showcase different databases and learning tools.

Barb O’Connor

Teacher Librarian, Littlehampton Primary School, SA

Tell me about your switch to Accessit Library and the role you have at Littlehampton Primary School.

I had previous experience with Accessit Library in a secondary school environment and was impressed by the user friendly 24/7 capabilities and the support from the Accessit Support team. The process was quite seamless.

As for my role, I have been a Teacher Librarian at Littlehampton for 4 years. I am responsible for all facets of school library management. In addition, I coordinate:

  • Inquiry based learning programs
  • Book Week
  • Book Clubs
  • Literacy and reader guidance sessions
  • Literature talks & author visits
  • Premier Reading Challenge
  • Readers’ Cup
  • Writing competitions
  • Maker Space
  • Staff training
  • Professional development
  • Library hub meetings.

I also plan collaborative lessons with teachers and work in close association with students, staff and community members.

With such an extensive range of responsibilities, how does Accessit Library make your life as a busy Teacher Librarian easier?

The interface is extremely user friendly.

Accessit Library’s One Search federated searching is wonderful and the visual dashboard appeals to our primary school audience. The Accessit Library Web App is a great one-stop-shop to showcase different databases and learning tools.

There are a number of our students who are dyslexic and we use the comment functionality on Accessit Library to note their interests and passions so we can offer them the best fit books.

Also, on the Accessit Library Web App there is a landing page for SPELD (an organisation supporting dyslexic or low reading level students) which provides current and relevant information for teachers and parents.

I love the idea of the Web App being a one-stop-shop where people can head off to different areas that highlight or support different reading or research initiatives.
Web App - Littlehampton
The Accessit Library Help Portal is really useful too. It’s really extensive and very helpful. The online Help Portal means I can always try to solve my own problems first. I have a lot more confidence in my cataloguing and system management since working with Accessit Library. It gives me the confidence to figure things out for myself most of the time.

From the range of responsibilities you highlighted, could you elaborate more on how Book Week and Reader Guidance sessions look at Littlehampton Primary?

Book Week

Book week is an annual nationwide event and wonderful literacy opportunity to have author visits and workshops.

There is a different theme each year which we build on for outreach activities, including art, drama and literacy challenges. We highlight quality literature on the shortlist and arrange author/illustrator workshops. The teachers embrace this and help facilitate different activities.

Reader Guidance Sessions

Our reader guidance sessions help our kids find the “right fit” book for them – like finding the pair of shoes that fit best! There are a number of authors here in the Adelaide Hills and First Nation experts who help us learn more about local and Peramangk Aboriginal culture and history. We have been fortunate with their willingness to come in to motivate the kids and teach us about what they have done in researching for their books.

I think it is quite an important extension.

There is a clear sense of pride in Aboriginal Culture at Littlehampton Primary, would you care to elaborate more on this?

Learning about Australian Aboriginal culture is very important to us.

We are continuously learning and I encourage everyone to use the resources we have available to understand more and pay respect to our First Nation people. The students will be leaders in the future, so it’s really important to have that inbuilt respect and knowledge.

We are proud to be living in a country that has the oldest living culture in the world :- Aboriginal culture. We acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land – The Peramangk People. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging, and ex tend this to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.

The Library Legends have created a Peramangk pride corner in our library where we have all different types of resources. We can promote these resources on the Accessit Web App and it encourages learning in general.

The Accessit Library Management System has helped us become extremely “visible” in our school community.

What is the relationship like between your students and the library?

Students visit weekly for class visits, Inquiry, borrowing and also regularly in their own time.

We also like to get them involved in book selection. We have a well-known book seller visit with a great selection of books based on the students’ interests. Students work within a budget and can vote on three books they would like for the school library. Once these books have been approved and catalogued we put them up as a news item on the Accessit Library Web App with a note of who suggested that pick.

We also have young people who want to write and publish books themselves, and I have catalogued a few books written by them and put them in our library collection. Also, a number of their poems have been selected and published in Australian Poetry anthologies. There are lots of opportunities to highlight and extend the students.

How do your students engage with Accessit Library in particular?

Library Legends

I have a group of students known as the ‘Library Legends’ who are very well-trained with using Accessit Library. We meet first lesson on a Monday and run through things like how to:

  • Use One Search
  • Put in keywords
  • Find new books
  • Write a review
  • Extend books
  • Reserve a book

The idea was prompted by the need for extra help with the library being such a busy place, and the thought of having the kids teaching their peers was a really exciting thing to trial. Having the senior students involved in that teaching process has been really good and continues to go from strength to strength.

We started it with the basics of Accessit Library, but it soon came to covering some pretty amazing things.

The Library Legends now have a segment at every assembly where they can talk about something to do with Accessit Library, whether it be the databases, a book talk or present a video about new and exciting features, new books or an author focus. The senior students are really passionate about using Accessit Library and the research databases.

Web App

The students use Accessit Library on BYOD laptops, iPads and school computers in the main library and at home. Accessit Library’s integration with other services and being their first port of call for looking things up helps to create a quality research approach.

What benefits have you noticed in terms of student engagement, given how easily your students, the school library and Accessit Library all work together?

Students use the catalogue more now as they feel confident and the spell check options are helpful. They also have increased their borrowing as they can see the visual covers of books and can locate resources more easily.

Accessit Library helps us run reports on:

  • Number of books borrowed
  • Collections borrowed
  • Top year borrowed
  • Top 5 books borrowed (non-fiction, fiction, etc.) and more.

This has been great for parents and also gives teachers and library staff useful information about a child’s borrowing history, reading preferences, etc. I use Accessit Library’s Reports and Statistics regularly to support book selection and provide relevant statistical data to Governing Council to support the role of the library in the school. Accessit helps market the library and what we do for the school community.

What are some ways you have felt supported by Accessit Library and the Accessit Library Support team?

  • Every time I send a question to the helpdesk, I get a timely response back
  • The online videos Accessit Library provides are so helpful
  • We have attended two or three webinars and will continue to – they’re always good and answer questions we have
  • The roadshows were really good and I hope they can happen again soon.

I also appreciate the automatic backups.

How did Accessit Library support you and Littlehampton Primary School during COVID?

Accessit Library was a huge asset to our school during the COVID lockdowns.

We had an extensive period of learning from home. Accessit Library was able to get our students online, but more importantly their parents too – and they really enjoyed it. They liked the visual aspect of it and found it really user friendly.

Also, all of the databases we subscribe to were available on Accessit Library during lockdown, such as Story Box Library and Britannica Online. We also had modules of work from the department’s scope and sequence units which were accessible and links to Google classroom.

We were also doing ‘Click and Collect Library book boxes’ and our loans went through the roof!

We included some fun activity sheets and book quizzes and promoted our own version of ‘Bookflix’ (like Netflix but for books). Students would review and write down their star ratings for the books which we would later post on the Accessit Library Web App.

How would you describe Accessit Library in one word?

Impressive!

Books for Middle Grade Plus

Books for Middle Grade Plus

Case Study – East Durham College UK

Case Study – East Durham College UK

Accessit Update 9.3.6: Language Tools

Accessit Update 9.3.6: Language Tools

New Accessit and Peters Partnership Helps UK Schools Strengthen Libraries Without Compromising Budgets

New Accessit and Peters Partnership Helps UK Schools Strengthen Libraries Without Compromising Budgets

The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Reading Program in an International School

The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Reading Program in an International School

How to Prove Your Library’s Impact and Win Support: A Guide for International Schools

How to Prove Your Library’s Impact and Win Support: A Guide for International Schools

What Makes a “Busy” Library in an International School – and Why It Matters

What Makes a “Busy” Library in an International School – and Why It Matters

How International Schools Can Automate Their Library & Free Up Time for What Matters 

How International Schools Can Automate Their Library & Free Up Time for What Matters 

Beyond the Shelves: How Accessit Helps School Libraries Every Step of the Way

Beyond the Shelves: How Accessit Helps School Libraries Every Step of the Way

Books to Help Teach Empathy

Books to Help Teach Empathy

Picture Books – Top Picks

Picture Books – Top Picks

A Learning and Marketing Tool to Increase Student Engagement

A Learning and Marketing Tool to Increase Student Engagement

Bring on The Comics!

Bring on The Comics!

The (Multiple) Books of Christmas

The (Multiple) Books of Christmas

What Does Information Literacy Mean?

What Does Information Literacy Mean?

Substitution Rules Don’t Have To Be Scary

Substitution Rules Don’t Have To Be Scary

Embedding the Library as a Whole School Resource

Embedding the Library as a Whole School Resource

Getting Creative With Visual Search

Getting Creative With Visual Search

Starting The Year Off Right in Your Library

Starting The Year Off Right in Your Library

Case Study – Avondale School, NSW

Case Study – Avondale School, NSW

Case Study – Riva Primary, WA

Case Study – Riva Primary, WA

Including Digital Resources in Your Library

Including Digital Resources in Your Library

Let’s Talk Libraries: Cheney School – Jill Fenton

Let’s Talk Libraries: Cheney School – Jill Fenton

Let’s Talk Libraries: Bishop Gilpin C of E Primary School – Sally Le Marquand

Let’s Talk Libraries: Bishop Gilpin C of E Primary School – Sally Le Marquand

Creating a School-wide Reading Culture

Creating a School-wide Reading Culture

Let’s Talk Libraries: Thomas Hardye School – Jenny Stevens

Let’s Talk Libraries: Thomas Hardye School – Jenny Stevens

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Good Help (OLGH) – Sarah Olushonde

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Good Help (OLGH) – Sarah Olushonde

Let’s Talk Libraries: St Anthony’s High School – Jill Adler

Let’s Talk Libraries: St Anthony’s High School – Jill Adler

Let’s Talk Libraries: Somerhill – Susan Smith

Let’s Talk Libraries: Somerhill – Susan Smith

Let’s Talk Libraries: Beacon Academy – Natasha Allen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Beacon Academy – Natasha Allen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Southland Girls’ High School

Let’s Talk Libraries: Southland Girls’ High School

Let’s Talk Libraries: Littlehampton Primary – Barb O’Connor

Let’s Talk Libraries: Littlehampton Primary – Barb O’Connor

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Hill School (US) – Nancy Body, Catherine Clowes

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Hill School (US) – Nancy Body, Catherine Clowes

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Lourdes – Danielle Leathart

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Lourdes – Danielle Leathart

Let’s Talk Libraries: Richmond & Prahran High School – Karys McEwen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Richmond & Prahran High School – Karys McEwen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Croxley Danes School – Victoria Rovira

Let’s Talk Libraries: Croxley Danes School – Victoria Rovira

The Lovett School – Storybook Pumpkin Contest

The Lovett School – Storybook Pumpkin Contest

Web App of the Week: World Book Day (UK) – Free download

Web App of the Week: World Book Day (UK) – Free download

Web App of the Week: Waitangi Day – Free download

Web App of the Week: Waitangi Day – Free download

Supporting Reluctant Readers

Supporting Reluctant Readers

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Lovett School – Robyn Martin

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Lovett School – Robyn Martin

Let’s Talk Libraries: Lloyd Street Primary School (VIC)

Let’s Talk Libraries: Lloyd Street Primary School (VIC)

Let’s Talk Libraries: Seatoun School – Wendy Bamber

Let’s Talk Libraries: Seatoun School – Wendy Bamber

Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Competition Recap

Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Competition Recap

Raising the profile of your school library

Raising the profile of your school library

Let’s Talk Libraries: Christian College Geelong (VIC) – Gerradine Barry

Let’s Talk Libraries: Christian College Geelong (VIC) – Gerradine Barry

Let’s Talk Libraries: Paula Na Nagara – St Mark’s School 

Let’s Talk Libraries: Paula Na Nagara – St Mark’s School 

Let’s Talk Libraries: Diocese of Toowoomba (QLD) – Liz Newman

Let’s Talk Libraries: Diocese of Toowoomba (QLD) – Liz Newman

Let’s Talk Libraries: Peace Lutheran College (QLD) – Tanya Mills

Let’s Talk Libraries: Peace Lutheran College (QLD) – Tanya Mills

Web App of the Week: Halloween – Free download

Web App of the Week: Halloween – Free download

The Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Free resource download

The Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Free resource download

Accessit Library Talks – Episode 1 – Kevin Arscott of Coleg Gwent

Accessit Library Talks – Episode 1 – Kevin Arscott of Coleg Gwent

Web App of the Week: Dixons Cottingley Academy

Web App of the Week: Dixons Cottingley Academy

Web App of the Week: Sydenham School

Web App of the Week: Sydenham School

Librarians of Accessit – Sarah Pavey

Librarians of Accessit – Sarah Pavey

An introduction to using Social Media in your library

An introduction to using Social Media in your library

Web App of the Week: Denefield School

Web App of the Week: Denefield School

Getting students involved in your school library

Getting students involved in your school library

Web App of the Week: Environment Day & World Oceans Day – Free Download

Web App of the Week: Environment Day & World Oceans Day – Free Download

Web App of the Week – Ursuline Academy of Dallas

Web App of the Week – Ursuline Academy of Dallas

Web App of the Week – Woodland Middle School Academy

Web App of the Week – Woodland Middle School Academy

Web App of the Week – Anzac Day – Free download

Web App of the Week – Anzac Day – Free download

Web App of the Week – Sarah Bonnell School

Web App of the Week – Sarah Bonnell School

Librarian Talk – Claire Bavister – Woodland Middle School Academy 

Librarian Talk – Claire Bavister – Woodland Middle School Academy 

Librarian Talk – Mary McGavin – Fulham Prep School

Librarian Talk – Mary McGavin – Fulham Prep School

Web App of the Week: Happy Holidays – Free download

Web App of the Week: Happy Holidays – Free download

Librarian Talk – Poonampal Kaur – Sarah Bonnell School

Librarian Talk – Poonampal Kaur – Sarah Bonnell School

How to promote your school library catalogue

How to promote your school library catalogue

Librarian Talk – Jason Saikaly – Barker College

Librarian Talk – Jason Saikaly – Barker College

How to approach collection development in school libraries

How to approach collection development in school libraries

Web App of the Week – Thornbury High School

Web App of the Week – Thornbury High School

Lynn Swannell – Mount Eliza Secondary College, Victoria, Australia

Lynn Swannell – Mount Eliza Secondary College, Victoria, Australia

Librarian Talk – Wendy Wright – Avonside Girls’ High & Shirley Boys’ High

Librarian Talk – Wendy Wright – Avonside Girls’ High & Shirley Boys’ High

15 downloadable resources every school librarian needs

15 downloadable resources every school librarian needs

Web App of the Week – Ashburton College

Web App of the Week – Ashburton College

Librarian Talk – Leisa Westerhof – Norwood Morialta High School

Librarian Talk – Leisa Westerhof – Norwood Morialta High School

Web App of the Week – Barker College

Web App of the Week – Barker College

Librarian Talk – Delia Achten – Ashburton College

Librarian Talk – Delia Achten – Ashburton College

Librarian Talk – Frances Currie – Prendergast Vale School

Librarian Talk – Frances Currie – Prendergast Vale School

Web App of the Week – Durrington High School

Web App of the Week – Durrington High School

Web App of the Week – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Web App of the Week – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Librarian Talk – Melissa Ashby – Wanaka Primary School

Librarian Talk – Melissa Ashby – Wanaka Primary School

Web App of the Week: Matariki – Free Download

Web App of the Week: Matariki – Free Download

Librarian Talk – Sasha Roth – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Librarian Talk – Sasha Roth – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Web App of the Week – Wanaka Primary School

Web App of the Week – Wanaka Primary School

Librarian Talk – Jill Marriott – Corinna School

Librarian Talk – Jill Marriott – Corinna School

Web App of the Week – Great Baddow High School

Web App of the Week – Great Baddow High School

Web App of the Week – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Web App of the Week – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Librarian Talk – Gemma Sosnowsky – Queen Elizabeth School

Librarian Talk – Gemma Sosnowsky – Queen Elizabeth School

Librarian Talk – Donna Harris – Great Baddow High School

Librarian Talk – Donna Harris – Great Baddow High School

Web App of the Week – Abington Friends School

Web App of the Week – Abington Friends School

Librarian Talk – Kay Morfett – Rolleston School

Librarian Talk – Kay Morfett – Rolleston School

Web App of the Week – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Web App of the Week – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Librarian Talk – Gabrielle Wales – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Librarian Talk – Gabrielle Wales – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Web App of the Week – Rolleston School

Web App of the Week – Rolleston School

Librarian Talk – Sally Baker – High School Librarian

Librarian Talk – Sally Baker – High School Librarian

Web App of the Week: Harmony ISD

Web App of the Week: Harmony ISD

Librarian Talk – Barbara Krainik – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Librarian Talk – Barbara Krainik – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Librarian Talk – Jill Adler – St. Anthony’s High School

Librarian Talk – Jill Adler – St. Anthony’s High School

Web App of the Week: The Jedi Academy

Web App of the Week: The Jedi Academy

Web App of the Week: St Anthony’s High School

Web App of the Week: St Anthony’s High School

Librarian Talk – Lori Davis – District Librarian

Librarian Talk – Lori Davis – District Librarian

Librarian Talk — Toni Vahlsing — Abington Friends School 

Librarian Talk — Toni Vahlsing — Abington Friends School 

Diversity and Inclusion – Accessit Book Club

Diversity and Inclusion – Accessit Book Club

Supporting mental health in the library: Mallinson Library, Wellington College, Berkshire

Supporting mental health in the library: Mallinson Library, Wellington College, Berkshire

Loving books this Valentine’s Day!

Loving books this Valentine’s Day!

Information and Digital Literacy – Richer Through Collaboration

Information and Digital Literacy – Richer Through Collaboration

The library – a safe space for everyone

The library – a safe space for everyone

On the Road Again – NZ Roadshow 2019

On the Road Again – NZ Roadshow 2019

Genrefying your library: Unley High School

Genrefying your library: Unley High School

Building a Strong Reading Culture: St Rita’s College Library

Building a Strong Reading Culture: St Rita’s College Library

Australia Roadshow 2019 – a great success!

Australia Roadshow 2019 – a great success!

Creating an amazing online library presence

Creating an amazing online library presence

Deepening literacy engagement

Deepening literacy engagement

Tsukuba International School

Tsukuba International School

Otago Boys’ High School

Otago Boys’ High School

Le Régent College

Le Régent College

Wesley Intermediate School

Wesley Intermediate School

Fuqua School

Fuqua School

Kamo High School

Kamo High School

Mental Health Foundation of NZ

Mental Health Foundation of NZ

Leicestershire County Council

Leicestershire County Council

Cambridge High School

Cambridge High School

Saint Kentigern College

Saint Kentigern College

Culford School

Culford School

Greenhithe School

Greenhithe School

Reynella East College

Reynella East College

Tyndale Christian School

Tyndale Christian School

Shepparton High School

Shepparton High School

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Hill School (US) – Nancy Body, Catherine Clowes

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Hill School (US) – Nancy Body, Catherine Clowes

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Hill School (US)

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Hill School (US) – Nancy Body, Catherine Clowes

Nancy Body (Head Librarian), Kari Merriam (Library Assistant) and Catherine Clowes (Digital & Automated Services Librarian) form a ‘small but mighty’ team that supports the library and students at The Hill School.

They switched to Accessit Library in 2019 after seeking a Library Management System that could support the school’s specific needs with Library of Congress call numbers, and has since helped with organizing books, managing their patron information, accessioning books and engaging their students with the Accessit Library Web App.

Above all, Nancy, Kari and Catherine discuss how the Accessit Library Support team played a pivotal role in their move to Accessit Library and how they have felt supported ever since.

Type  P-12 School
Roll 544
Campus One campus
Install Cloud installation
Teachers 80

Keywords:

  • Library of Congress
  • Call numbers
  • Information Management System
  • Library Management System
  • Accessioning and deaccessioning
  • Managing records & patron information
  • Customer support
Students reading throughout the library

The team at Accessit Library are responsive, polite and respectful. They’re just great. From the first rep I spoke to, to the people who helped with the transition, it is run by people experienced in both library work and Accessit Library.

Nancy Body

Head Librarian, The Hill School, PA, USA

What helped form The Hill School’s decision to switch to Accessit Library in 2019 and how did you find the transition process?

I did some research to see what Library Management System could support Library of Congress call numbers. I then got in touch with Accessit Library and was impressed with the thoroughness, friendliness, flexibility, and competence of the Accessit Library team.

The team at Accessit Library are responsive, polite and respectful. They’re just great. From the first rep I spoke to, to the people who helped with the transition, it is run by people experienced in both library work and Accessit Library.

I know that there are offices in Great Britain and now in the States, but there was a huge time difference between us and New Zealand. Shelley and the Accessit Library team answered everything and were supportive, saying “Yes, we can do this. We work with systems all over the world, so we can support you.” And from there, everybody was just so helpful. I swear Shelley was up at two o’clock in the morning to take our call!

The switch went seamlessly. To be honest, it was so uneventful and happened what seems like ages ago now. It was as easy as can be and we didn’t have to worry about changing anything. It also helped us improve our records which were messy. Accessit Library basically adapted to us. I think we all were like, ‘That was it?’. I don’t even remember ever using anything else.

Once you made the switch, how did you find the process of getting to know Accessit Library?

The training is amazing! Accessit Library’s training and service is heads and above that of our last system. And I think it’s even heads and above other products.

The training was chunked for us, so we didn’t burn out. The trainers had been librarians and understood how libraries work, which made all the difference. The training was not mind numbing (which we have experienced with other companies) and was responsive to our particular needs. They offered great tips from their own experiences which helped us a lot.

We’re excited when there’s training because it’s so engaging, friendly and very useful. It’s not talking in technical terms; it’s talking in terms we understand: Library terms. We get our questions answered. And if they can’t answer them immediately, they get back to us very quickly.

It seems as though Accessit Library’s Support team played a significant role in your move to Accessit Library, how have you felt supported since?

When I do need to work with Accessit Library Support, they’re so much better than the other system we had. I hear back, I get answers and I get help.

Support is always available, and if there is not a fix currently, all of the people at Accessit Library seem to try to work toward one with software updates. They seem genuinely interested in not only helping us learn new features, but also making sure any problems or questions we have are answered and/or addressed in the training.

The Accessit Library Support Portal is also a fantastic resource and is easy to use. Whenever I go to it, I can figure something out. We have also taken advantage of Accessit Library’s webinars that have come out over the years. Oftentimes I might know some of the information, but I always learn something else.

With Accessit Library installed and some training behind you, how has Accessit Library continued to support your work in the library?

Organizing Records

Organizing and appending records is efficient. Grouping resources has helped us with organizing by location and type. The system will also automatically find duplicate records so that you can fix them if needed.

We also like the Tidy Records feature very much. Accessit Library customized our records so that the classification numbers (call numbers) were as we liked them.

Updating Patron Information

Updating our patron database is really easy every year and can be done using a spreadsheet and – we used to have to ask our Academic office to do this. Accessit Library will help you with learning how to format the spreadsheet so that it will update the patron database. We can include patron information to match our needed school information better and more thoroughly than we have in the past.

For example, we like to know what dorm students and advisors are in, in case we need to contact their dorm parent or advisor about a problem or overdue item. A feature I just learned about is the ability to change the titles of some of the patron fields to better match the information we need.

Cataloging

Circulation and reports are easy to use, highly customizable and very intuitive.

From the processing part of cataloging, it’s been so easy. Previously, I was very tentative about doing anything because I couldn’t figure out how the system works. But Accessit Library makes it so easy with Automated Cataloging and linking to different databases. The Automated Cataloging feature has been incredibly valuable to us. Most of the books can be automatically cataloged which saves us a lot of time when entering new books. And if I can’t do it by Automated Cataloging, it’s easy to fill in the form and do it myself.

And deaccessioning is super easy. I like how you can put it to the side, but don’t have to necessarily completely delete it. So, you can go back and look at what you have if you think you need to replace that copy, instead of forgetting what it was. It’s easy to scan it and is another great tool.

Automated Overdues

Automated Overdues is something that we set and then we forget about it – we only know that the students were sent overdues because they’re coming in and returning their books! This is great and shows it’s very effective.

With Accessit Library you can also group patrons in different ways, ie. by dorm, which allows us to see how many overdues are in a certain dorm.

Generating & Printing Spine Labels

The auto-generated spine labels from lists are super helpful, rather than having to type each spine label in.

You can easily make the label lists from the search feature or scan the books from their barcodes into a list. The labels are also customizable to whatever size you want and we can print them in the middle of the page so we don’t waste labels.

Web App

The Accessit Library Web App is also really nice. It’s colourful, easy to use and simple to read. It’s linked on our library webpage and is largely used by students and teachers to find books.

We call our Web App ‘Hill Cat’, and as far as formatting goes, I can set it up the way I like, making it easier to see information when searching for books. I have even used my phone when I’m down in the stacks and don’t have my computer. It’s easy to look up books and there’s a variety of ways to do so.

Also, Accessit Library’s One Search functionality is great and we love the carousel too.

The Accessit Library Web App is included with a number of features you love about Accessit Library, how do your students engage with it?

A student will come up with the Accessit Library Web App on their phone looking for books.

Students in library with a fire
This is always exciting because we strive to get the kids to realize that the library is a resource that they should know about, and that they should use.

This is always exciting because we strive to get the kids to realize that the library is a resource that they should know about, and that they should use. When we see a student using the Web App, or coming up to us, making a list, or just putting a hold on something – it means that they’re engaging, or that they’re figuring out how to use it.

Even when they know what our catalog is called is exciting, because they know this is where you go to look for a book.

I think Accessit Library helps them because it is easy to use. I think that the carousel particularly helps because it shows up immediately and has books pop up so a student can go, ‘Oh, I didn’t know they had that’.

Usage was hit really hard by COVID as students couldn’t check books out and still weren’t allowed in the library last year. It was very restrictive and we saw the searches go down dramatically. But I’m noticing that already this year, it’s up to where it was before and it’s definitely going to surpass it.

What comments would you share about Accessit Library to another school looking for an ILS or LMS?

Accessit Library is just a great system. I’m noticing more and more that there’s more than one way to do things. I think it’s logical: if you can’t figure it out the first way, there’s another way.

Also, the team at Accessit Library make the transition easy, make training easy and that make any kind of support easy – and it’s very affordable.

I would whole heartily recommend Accessit Library to another librarian, and have done so whenever I see that someone is searching for a new ILS -ase of use, affordability, great training and working with fantastic people are some of the reasons why.

Every time anybody is looking for a new system, I will ask, ‘Have you heard of Accessit Library?’.

Books for Middle Grade Plus

Books for Middle Grade Plus

Case Study – East Durham College UK

Case Study – East Durham College UK

Accessit Update 9.3.6: Language Tools

Accessit Update 9.3.6: Language Tools

New Accessit and Peters Partnership Helps UK Schools Strengthen Libraries Without Compromising Budgets

New Accessit and Peters Partnership Helps UK Schools Strengthen Libraries Without Compromising Budgets

The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Reading Program in an International School

The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Reading Program in an International School

How to Prove Your Library’s Impact and Win Support: A Guide for International Schools

How to Prove Your Library’s Impact and Win Support: A Guide for International Schools

What Makes a “Busy” Library in an International School – and Why It Matters

What Makes a “Busy” Library in an International School – and Why It Matters

How International Schools Can Automate Their Library & Free Up Time for What Matters 

How International Schools Can Automate Their Library & Free Up Time for What Matters 

Beyond the Shelves: How Accessit Helps School Libraries Every Step of the Way

Beyond the Shelves: How Accessit Helps School Libraries Every Step of the Way

Books to Help Teach Empathy

Books to Help Teach Empathy

Picture Books – Top Picks

Picture Books – Top Picks

A Learning and Marketing Tool to Increase Student Engagement

A Learning and Marketing Tool to Increase Student Engagement

Bring on The Comics!

Bring on The Comics!

The (Multiple) Books of Christmas

The (Multiple) Books of Christmas

What Does Information Literacy Mean?

What Does Information Literacy Mean?

Substitution Rules Don’t Have To Be Scary

Substitution Rules Don’t Have To Be Scary

Embedding the Library as a Whole School Resource

Embedding the Library as a Whole School Resource

Getting Creative With Visual Search

Getting Creative With Visual Search

Starting The Year Off Right in Your Library

Starting The Year Off Right in Your Library

Case Study – Avondale School, NSW

Case Study – Avondale School, NSW

Case Study – Riva Primary, WA

Case Study – Riva Primary, WA

Including Digital Resources in Your Library

Including Digital Resources in Your Library

Let’s Talk Libraries: Cheney School – Jill Fenton

Let’s Talk Libraries: Cheney School – Jill Fenton

Let’s Talk Libraries: Bishop Gilpin C of E Primary School – Sally Le Marquand

Let’s Talk Libraries: Bishop Gilpin C of E Primary School – Sally Le Marquand

Creating a School-wide Reading Culture

Creating a School-wide Reading Culture

Let’s Talk Libraries: Thomas Hardye School – Jenny Stevens

Let’s Talk Libraries: Thomas Hardye School – Jenny Stevens

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Good Help (OLGH) – Sarah Olushonde

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Good Help (OLGH) – Sarah Olushonde

Let’s Talk Libraries: St Anthony’s High School – Jill Adler

Let’s Talk Libraries: St Anthony’s High School – Jill Adler

Let’s Talk Libraries: Somerhill – Susan Smith

Let’s Talk Libraries: Somerhill – Susan Smith

Let’s Talk Libraries: Beacon Academy – Natasha Allen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Beacon Academy – Natasha Allen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Southland Girls’ High School

Let’s Talk Libraries: Southland Girls’ High School

Let’s Talk Libraries: Littlehampton Primary – Barb O’Connor

Let’s Talk Libraries: Littlehampton Primary – Barb O’Connor

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Hill School (US) – Nancy Body, Catherine Clowes

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Hill School (US) – Nancy Body, Catherine Clowes

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Lourdes – Danielle Leathart

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Lourdes – Danielle Leathart

Let’s Talk Libraries: Richmond & Prahran High School – Karys McEwen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Richmond & Prahran High School – Karys McEwen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Croxley Danes School – Victoria Rovira

Let’s Talk Libraries: Croxley Danes School – Victoria Rovira

The Lovett School – Storybook Pumpkin Contest

The Lovett School – Storybook Pumpkin Contest

Web App of the Week: World Book Day (UK) – Free download

Web App of the Week: World Book Day (UK) – Free download

Web App of the Week: Waitangi Day – Free download

Web App of the Week: Waitangi Day – Free download

Supporting Reluctant Readers

Supporting Reluctant Readers

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Lovett School – Robyn Martin

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Lovett School – Robyn Martin

Let’s Talk Libraries: Lloyd Street Primary School (VIC)

Let’s Talk Libraries: Lloyd Street Primary School (VIC)

Let’s Talk Libraries: Seatoun School – Wendy Bamber

Let’s Talk Libraries: Seatoun School – Wendy Bamber

Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Competition Recap

Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Competition Recap

Raising the profile of your school library

Raising the profile of your school library

Let’s Talk Libraries: Christian College Geelong (VIC) – Gerradine Barry

Let’s Talk Libraries: Christian College Geelong (VIC) – Gerradine Barry

Let’s Talk Libraries: Paula Na Nagara – St Mark’s School 

Let’s Talk Libraries: Paula Na Nagara – St Mark’s School 

Let’s Talk Libraries: Diocese of Toowoomba (QLD) – Liz Newman

Let’s Talk Libraries: Diocese of Toowoomba (QLD) – Liz Newman

Let’s Talk Libraries: Peace Lutheran College (QLD) – Tanya Mills

Let’s Talk Libraries: Peace Lutheran College (QLD) – Tanya Mills

Web App of the Week: Halloween – Free download

Web App of the Week: Halloween – Free download

The Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Free resource download

The Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Free resource download

Accessit Library Talks – Episode 1 – Kevin Arscott of Coleg Gwent

Accessit Library Talks – Episode 1 – Kevin Arscott of Coleg Gwent

Web App of the Week: Dixons Cottingley Academy

Web App of the Week: Dixons Cottingley Academy

Web App of the Week: Sydenham School

Web App of the Week: Sydenham School

Librarians of Accessit – Sarah Pavey

Librarians of Accessit – Sarah Pavey

An introduction to using Social Media in your library

An introduction to using Social Media in your library

Web App of the Week: Denefield School

Web App of the Week: Denefield School

Getting students involved in your school library

Getting students involved in your school library

Web App of the Week: Environment Day & World Oceans Day – Free Download

Web App of the Week: Environment Day & World Oceans Day – Free Download

Web App of the Week – Ursuline Academy of Dallas

Web App of the Week – Ursuline Academy of Dallas

Web App of the Week – Woodland Middle School Academy

Web App of the Week – Woodland Middle School Academy

Web App of the Week – Anzac Day – Free download

Web App of the Week – Anzac Day – Free download

Web App of the Week – Sarah Bonnell School

Web App of the Week – Sarah Bonnell School

Librarian Talk – Claire Bavister – Woodland Middle School Academy 

Librarian Talk – Claire Bavister – Woodland Middle School Academy 

Librarian Talk – Mary McGavin – Fulham Prep School

Librarian Talk – Mary McGavin – Fulham Prep School

Web App of the Week: Happy Holidays – Free download

Web App of the Week: Happy Holidays – Free download

Librarian Talk – Poonampal Kaur – Sarah Bonnell School

Librarian Talk – Poonampal Kaur – Sarah Bonnell School

How to promote your school library catalogue

How to promote your school library catalogue

Librarian Talk – Jason Saikaly – Barker College

Librarian Talk – Jason Saikaly – Barker College

How to approach collection development in school libraries

How to approach collection development in school libraries

Web App of the Week – Thornbury High School

Web App of the Week – Thornbury High School

Lynn Swannell – Mount Eliza Secondary College, Victoria, Australia

Lynn Swannell – Mount Eliza Secondary College, Victoria, Australia

Librarian Talk – Wendy Wright – Avonside Girls’ High & Shirley Boys’ High

Librarian Talk – Wendy Wright – Avonside Girls’ High & Shirley Boys’ High

15 downloadable resources every school librarian needs

15 downloadable resources every school librarian needs

Web App of the Week – Ashburton College

Web App of the Week – Ashburton College

Librarian Talk – Leisa Westerhof – Norwood Morialta High School

Librarian Talk – Leisa Westerhof – Norwood Morialta High School

Web App of the Week – Barker College

Web App of the Week – Barker College

Librarian Talk – Delia Achten – Ashburton College

Librarian Talk – Delia Achten – Ashburton College

Librarian Talk – Frances Currie – Prendergast Vale School

Librarian Talk – Frances Currie – Prendergast Vale School

Web App of the Week – Durrington High School

Web App of the Week – Durrington High School

Web App of the Week – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Web App of the Week – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Librarian Talk – Melissa Ashby – Wanaka Primary School

Librarian Talk – Melissa Ashby – Wanaka Primary School

Web App of the Week: Matariki – Free Download

Web App of the Week: Matariki – Free Download

Librarian Talk – Sasha Roth – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Librarian Talk – Sasha Roth – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Web App of the Week – Wanaka Primary School

Web App of the Week – Wanaka Primary School

Librarian Talk – Jill Marriott – Corinna School

Librarian Talk – Jill Marriott – Corinna School

Web App of the Week – Great Baddow High School

Web App of the Week – Great Baddow High School

Web App of the Week – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Web App of the Week – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Librarian Talk – Gemma Sosnowsky – Queen Elizabeth School

Librarian Talk – Gemma Sosnowsky – Queen Elizabeth School

Librarian Talk – Donna Harris – Great Baddow High School

Librarian Talk – Donna Harris – Great Baddow High School

Web App of the Week – Abington Friends School

Web App of the Week – Abington Friends School

Librarian Talk – Kay Morfett – Rolleston School

Librarian Talk – Kay Morfett – Rolleston School

Web App of the Week – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Web App of the Week – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Librarian Talk – Gabrielle Wales – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Librarian Talk – Gabrielle Wales – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Web App of the Week – Rolleston School

Web App of the Week – Rolleston School

Librarian Talk – Sally Baker – High School Librarian

Librarian Talk – Sally Baker – High School Librarian

Web App of the Week: Harmony ISD

Web App of the Week: Harmony ISD

Librarian Talk – Barbara Krainik – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Librarian Talk – Barbara Krainik – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Librarian Talk – Jill Adler – St. Anthony’s High School

Librarian Talk – Jill Adler – St. Anthony’s High School

Web App of the Week: The Jedi Academy

Web App of the Week: The Jedi Academy

Web App of the Week: St Anthony’s High School

Web App of the Week: St Anthony’s High School

Librarian Talk – Lori Davis – District Librarian

Librarian Talk – Lori Davis – District Librarian

Librarian Talk — Toni Vahlsing — Abington Friends School 

Librarian Talk — Toni Vahlsing — Abington Friends School 

Diversity and Inclusion – Accessit Book Club

Diversity and Inclusion – Accessit Book Club

Supporting mental health in the library: Mallinson Library, Wellington College, Berkshire

Supporting mental health in the library: Mallinson Library, Wellington College, Berkshire

Loving books this Valentine’s Day!

Loving books this Valentine’s Day!

Information and Digital Literacy – Richer Through Collaboration

Information and Digital Literacy – Richer Through Collaboration

The library – a safe space for everyone

The library – a safe space for everyone

On the Road Again – NZ Roadshow 2019

On the Road Again – NZ Roadshow 2019

Genrefying your library: Unley High School

Genrefying your library: Unley High School

Building a Strong Reading Culture: St Rita’s College Library

Building a Strong Reading Culture: St Rita’s College Library

Australia Roadshow 2019 – a great success!

Australia Roadshow 2019 – a great success!

Creating an amazing online library presence

Creating an amazing online library presence

Deepening literacy engagement

Deepening literacy engagement

Tsukuba International School

Tsukuba International School

Otago Boys’ High School

Otago Boys’ High School

Le Régent College

Le Régent College

Wesley Intermediate School

Wesley Intermediate School

Fuqua School

Fuqua School

Kamo High School

Kamo High School

Mental Health Foundation of NZ

Mental Health Foundation of NZ

Leicestershire County Council

Leicestershire County Council

Cambridge High School

Cambridge High School

Saint Kentigern College

Saint Kentigern College

Culford School

Culford School

Greenhithe School

Greenhithe School

Reynella East College

Reynella East College

Tyndale Christian School

Tyndale Christian School

Shepparton High School

Shepparton High School

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Lourdes – Danielle Leathart

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Lourdes – Danielle Leathart

Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School Library

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Lourdes – Danielle Leathart

Danielle Leathart has been a part-time Teacher Librarian at Our Lady of Lourdes Toowoomba since 2016, holding both a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Education Teacher Librarianship.

The Accessit Library Management System is used extensively within the school to support curriculum learning at Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School such as English and TECH lessons, extending students research and reading beyond the school library.

Type  Primary School
Roll 380
Campus One campus
Install Cloud installation
Location Queensland, Australia
Keywords:

  • Third-Party Integrations
  • Information Literacy
  • Student Engagement
  • Interactive Web Interface
  • Curriculum Subjects

I like the one-stop-shop and user interface aspects of AccessIt Library. Cataloguing is simple. The seamless pathway to SCIS is invaluable and time saving. I love how we can connect our subscriptions and providers (ClickView, Britannica, local and national libraries) straight into the Web App, making the information easily accessible for our users.

Danielle Leathart

Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, QLD

What was the decision-making process like in choosing to switch to Accessit Library?

I had previous experience with Accessit Library when doing my masters at The Glennie School. There were changes with our previous supplier at Our Lady of Lourdes, so collectively the librarians started looking at new options and we switched to Accessit Library in 2019.

This was mostly done by our Head of Librarians here in the Toowoomba Diocese sat in on a session with them in awe of what Accessit Library offered and how you could use the Web App. I looked at the Web App and thought, “There is so much I could do here and make things accessible”.

How did you find the process of switching to Accessit Library once you had made the decision?

I found the switch very straight forward.

The training was excellent and the support provided by the AccessIt Library Support team has always been prompt in helping me solve any issues.

Initially, you take on board what you need to get going. We didn’t realise there’s so many other things you can do with Accessit Library!

I probably spend most of my time going, “I want to do this, so I’ll just pop into ALeC (Accessit Library’s eLearning Centre) and find an answer or video.” There is always something to help me process whatever idea I have on that particular day. I learn new things all the time and go, “Oh, I didn’t know that – that’s handy!”

I have also personally found the support outstanding. I find the support desk amazing, especially Christine – she’s so patient. I might forget something and then she starts to talk and I go, “Ah, that makes sense, that is not where I was looking!’.

Library books and chairs

From all of Accessit Library’s features and capabilities you continue to discover and use, which ones do you find the most valuable?

I love the Accessit Library Web App. I find the interface easy to navigate and I love updating the content for students. I have designed the Web App at Our Lady of Lourdes to be a launch pad. I use it in almost all of my TECH lessons to springboard students onto the internet. I want them to come to the Web App and know that it is a safe place to find what we have and what is available beyond the library.

I think that the Carousel for viewing new items is a great feature. Our younger users love these. I have had success with many students leaving reviews (and some teachers using this feature to support their English programs).

I also like that the One Search options include local and national libraries and other trusted sources of information.

How does Accessit Library support the TECH lessons and English Programs at Our Lady of Lourdes?

Tech Lessons

Part of my role over the last few years has been to help teachers with mainly digital technologies. We started with prep, teaching the kids how to use the mouse tracking pad, keyboard and laptop. The student’s job is to open a computer, find the Accessit Library link, go to class pages, and then launch out into one of the games from there. It’s something that I’m really passionate about.

Whenever I teach, I start my lessons with Accessit Library. When I’m teaching lessons about coding, we go to Accessit first and we launch out to Scratch, Blockly games or anything I’m using with my students – all from Accessit Library. I want the teachers to start doing that too, so that we’re keeping control over what the students are accessing and how they get there. I want Accessit Library to become Google!

English Programs

Teachers are writing in to their English programs that when they’re doing reviews at certain year levels, one of those reviews must be an Accessit Library review. It’s building part of the English program and it’s also building things on Accessit Library.

Some kids will leave me reviews all the time and others will only engage when it is in class and assessments, but they know it’s there and they can access it when they want to.

I look at some of the reviews as more of a ‘sticky note to Mrs. Leathart’, letting me know that they liked the book. I make a mental note of it and go, “Okay, so it seems like the girls in Year 5 particularly like this sort of novel,” and this helps to grow our collections in those general directions.

How does Accessit Library further support you and the students at Our Lady of Lourdes?

I like the one-stop-shop and user interface aspects of AccessIt Library. Cataloguing is simple. The seamless pathway to SCIS is invaluable and time saving. I love how we can connect our subscriptions and providers (ClickView, Britannica, local and national libraries.) straight into the Web App, making the information easily accessible for our users.

Information Literacy

We want to connect our students with good quality information and resources quickly without running them around Google. Accessit Library’s integration with these subscriptions and providers takes out those extra steps. Of course, kids eventually become capable with Google, but it is a minefield when they’re first starting to research. Whereas, with access to other providers there are really great links to other websites that can help us. We use Accessit Library as our stepping stone onto the internet.

I think my role is to help them unlock quality knowledge. I want to lead the students to the right places. I can direct them to places like Trove or the Queensland Library site for our older students, and places like Britannica or DK findout! for our younger students.

I can do this knowing with confidence that they are going to find good information, but not too much that they will have no idea what to do with it. Also, the students who need more will find more, because there’s extra links added to the already helpful links that Accessit Library and our subscriptions provide, which I know are being checked and are relatively safe.

Anecdotally, I have noticed that many students are using AccessIt Library to narrow down the search scope of research.

Accessit Library’s One Search

They use Accessit Library’s One Search to find articles from Britannica or content from ClickView, mostly. I find students are keen to use it when I am leading lessons. I think the next group of users I need to upskill and ‘sell’ the value of AccessIt Library to is the staff. A lot of the research happens out in their classrooms, so I’m working on teachers and showing them how we can get to places like ClickView, where there are videos that have good links and great information for students. If teachers would use AccessIt Library as a starting point for research I think it would reinforce to students that it is the place to start.

Accessit Library’s Web App

Students have enjoyed looking at their Accessit Library Web App and many have taken to looking on the catalogue to find ‘similar’ titles via Syndetics. They also like the fact that they can get the bibliographical details for a book from the catalogue records. This is especially helpful when they have returned the book and forgotten to complete their references.

They also love interactive news items like videos and Find-a-Words – but I change them all the time!

Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School Web App
At the moment they like the Scratch one, exercise one and the TECH Club one is always popular. I just go with whatever theme is rolling around in my head and I try to match it up on the Web App. Sometimes it matches the notice boards in the library as well.

How would you describe Accessit in one word?

Accessible (for everyone – users and staff alike).

Books for Middle Grade Plus

Books for Middle Grade Plus

Case Study – East Durham College UK

Case Study – East Durham College UK

Accessit Update 9.3.6: Language Tools

Accessit Update 9.3.6: Language Tools

New Accessit and Peters Partnership Helps UK Schools Strengthen Libraries Without Compromising Budgets

New Accessit and Peters Partnership Helps UK Schools Strengthen Libraries Without Compromising Budgets

The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Reading Program in an International School

The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Reading Program in an International School

How to Prove Your Library’s Impact and Win Support: A Guide for International Schools

How to Prove Your Library’s Impact and Win Support: A Guide for International Schools

What Makes a “Busy” Library in an International School – and Why It Matters

What Makes a “Busy” Library in an International School – and Why It Matters

How International Schools Can Automate Their Library & Free Up Time for What Matters 

How International Schools Can Automate Their Library & Free Up Time for What Matters 

Beyond the Shelves: How Accessit Helps School Libraries Every Step of the Way

Beyond the Shelves: How Accessit Helps School Libraries Every Step of the Way

Books to Help Teach Empathy

Books to Help Teach Empathy

Picture Books – Top Picks

Picture Books – Top Picks

A Learning and Marketing Tool to Increase Student Engagement

A Learning and Marketing Tool to Increase Student Engagement

Bring on The Comics!

Bring on The Comics!

The (Multiple) Books of Christmas

The (Multiple) Books of Christmas

What Does Information Literacy Mean?

What Does Information Literacy Mean?

Substitution Rules Don’t Have To Be Scary

Substitution Rules Don’t Have To Be Scary

Embedding the Library as a Whole School Resource

Embedding the Library as a Whole School Resource

Getting Creative With Visual Search

Getting Creative With Visual Search

Starting The Year Off Right in Your Library

Starting The Year Off Right in Your Library

Case Study – Avondale School, NSW

Case Study – Avondale School, NSW

Case Study – Riva Primary, WA

Case Study – Riva Primary, WA

Including Digital Resources in Your Library

Including Digital Resources in Your Library

Let’s Talk Libraries: Cheney School – Jill Fenton

Let’s Talk Libraries: Cheney School – Jill Fenton

Let’s Talk Libraries: Bishop Gilpin C of E Primary School – Sally Le Marquand

Let’s Talk Libraries: Bishop Gilpin C of E Primary School – Sally Le Marquand

Creating a School-wide Reading Culture

Creating a School-wide Reading Culture

Let’s Talk Libraries: Thomas Hardye School – Jenny Stevens

Let’s Talk Libraries: Thomas Hardye School – Jenny Stevens

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Good Help (OLGH) – Sarah Olushonde

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Good Help (OLGH) – Sarah Olushonde

Let’s Talk Libraries: St Anthony’s High School – Jill Adler

Let’s Talk Libraries: St Anthony’s High School – Jill Adler

Let’s Talk Libraries: Somerhill – Susan Smith

Let’s Talk Libraries: Somerhill – Susan Smith

Let’s Talk Libraries: Beacon Academy – Natasha Allen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Beacon Academy – Natasha Allen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Southland Girls’ High School

Let’s Talk Libraries: Southland Girls’ High School

Let’s Talk Libraries: Littlehampton Primary – Barb O’Connor

Let’s Talk Libraries: Littlehampton Primary – Barb O’Connor

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Hill School (US) – Nancy Body, Catherine Clowes

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Hill School (US) – Nancy Body, Catherine Clowes

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Lourdes – Danielle Leathart

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Lourdes – Danielle Leathart

Let’s Talk Libraries: Richmond & Prahran High School – Karys McEwen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Richmond & Prahran High School – Karys McEwen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Croxley Danes School – Victoria Rovira

Let’s Talk Libraries: Croxley Danes School – Victoria Rovira

The Lovett School – Storybook Pumpkin Contest

The Lovett School – Storybook Pumpkin Contest

Web App of the Week: World Book Day (UK) – Free download

Web App of the Week: World Book Day (UK) – Free download

Web App of the Week: Waitangi Day – Free download

Web App of the Week: Waitangi Day – Free download

Supporting Reluctant Readers

Supporting Reluctant Readers

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Lovett School – Robyn Martin

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Lovett School – Robyn Martin

Let’s Talk Libraries: Lloyd Street Primary School (VIC)

Let’s Talk Libraries: Lloyd Street Primary School (VIC)

Let’s Talk Libraries: Seatoun School – Wendy Bamber

Let’s Talk Libraries: Seatoun School – Wendy Bamber

Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Competition Recap

Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Competition Recap

Raising the profile of your school library

Raising the profile of your school library

Let’s Talk Libraries: Christian College Geelong (VIC) – Gerradine Barry

Let’s Talk Libraries: Christian College Geelong (VIC) – Gerradine Barry

Let’s Talk Libraries: Paula Na Nagara – St Mark’s School 

Let’s Talk Libraries: Paula Na Nagara – St Mark’s School 

Let’s Talk Libraries: Diocese of Toowoomba (QLD) – Liz Newman

Let’s Talk Libraries: Diocese of Toowoomba (QLD) – Liz Newman

Let’s Talk Libraries: Peace Lutheran College (QLD) – Tanya Mills

Let’s Talk Libraries: Peace Lutheran College (QLD) – Tanya Mills

Web App of the Week: Halloween – Free download

Web App of the Week: Halloween – Free download

The Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Free resource download

The Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Free resource download

Accessit Library Talks – Episode 1 – Kevin Arscott of Coleg Gwent

Accessit Library Talks – Episode 1 – Kevin Arscott of Coleg Gwent

Web App of the Week: Dixons Cottingley Academy

Web App of the Week: Dixons Cottingley Academy

Web App of the Week: Sydenham School

Web App of the Week: Sydenham School

Librarians of Accessit – Sarah Pavey

Librarians of Accessit – Sarah Pavey

An introduction to using Social Media in your library

An introduction to using Social Media in your library

Web App of the Week: Denefield School

Web App of the Week: Denefield School

Getting students involved in your school library

Getting students involved in your school library

Web App of the Week: Environment Day & World Oceans Day – Free Download

Web App of the Week: Environment Day & World Oceans Day – Free Download

Web App of the Week – Ursuline Academy of Dallas

Web App of the Week – Ursuline Academy of Dallas

Web App of the Week – Woodland Middle School Academy

Web App of the Week – Woodland Middle School Academy

Web App of the Week – Anzac Day – Free download

Web App of the Week – Anzac Day – Free download

Web App of the Week – Sarah Bonnell School

Web App of the Week – Sarah Bonnell School

Librarian Talk – Claire Bavister – Woodland Middle School Academy 

Librarian Talk – Claire Bavister – Woodland Middle School Academy 

Librarian Talk – Mary McGavin – Fulham Prep School

Librarian Talk – Mary McGavin – Fulham Prep School

Web App of the Week: Happy Holidays – Free download

Web App of the Week: Happy Holidays – Free download

Librarian Talk – Poonampal Kaur – Sarah Bonnell School

Librarian Talk – Poonampal Kaur – Sarah Bonnell School

How to promote your school library catalogue

How to promote your school library catalogue

Librarian Talk – Jason Saikaly – Barker College

Librarian Talk – Jason Saikaly – Barker College

How to approach collection development in school libraries

How to approach collection development in school libraries

Web App of the Week – Thornbury High School

Web App of the Week – Thornbury High School

Lynn Swannell – Mount Eliza Secondary College, Victoria, Australia

Lynn Swannell – Mount Eliza Secondary College, Victoria, Australia

Librarian Talk – Wendy Wright – Avonside Girls’ High & Shirley Boys’ High

Librarian Talk – Wendy Wright – Avonside Girls’ High & Shirley Boys’ High

15 downloadable resources every school librarian needs

15 downloadable resources every school librarian needs

Web App of the Week – Ashburton College

Web App of the Week – Ashburton College

Librarian Talk – Leisa Westerhof – Norwood Morialta High School

Librarian Talk – Leisa Westerhof – Norwood Morialta High School

Web App of the Week – Barker College

Web App of the Week – Barker College

Librarian Talk – Delia Achten – Ashburton College

Librarian Talk – Delia Achten – Ashburton College

Librarian Talk – Frances Currie – Prendergast Vale School

Librarian Talk – Frances Currie – Prendergast Vale School

Web App of the Week – Durrington High School

Web App of the Week – Durrington High School

Web App of the Week – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Web App of the Week – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Librarian Talk – Melissa Ashby – Wanaka Primary School

Librarian Talk – Melissa Ashby – Wanaka Primary School

Web App of the Week: Matariki – Free Download

Web App of the Week: Matariki – Free Download

Librarian Talk – Sasha Roth – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Librarian Talk – Sasha Roth – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Web App of the Week – Wanaka Primary School

Web App of the Week – Wanaka Primary School

Librarian Talk – Jill Marriott – Corinna School

Librarian Talk – Jill Marriott – Corinna School

Web App of the Week – Great Baddow High School

Web App of the Week – Great Baddow High School

Web App of the Week – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Web App of the Week – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Librarian Talk – Gemma Sosnowsky – Queen Elizabeth School

Librarian Talk – Gemma Sosnowsky – Queen Elizabeth School

Librarian Talk – Donna Harris – Great Baddow High School

Librarian Talk – Donna Harris – Great Baddow High School

Web App of the Week – Abington Friends School

Web App of the Week – Abington Friends School

Librarian Talk – Kay Morfett – Rolleston School

Librarian Talk – Kay Morfett – Rolleston School

Web App of the Week – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Web App of the Week – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Librarian Talk – Gabrielle Wales – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Librarian Talk – Gabrielle Wales – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Web App of the Week – Rolleston School

Web App of the Week – Rolleston School

Librarian Talk – Sally Baker – High School Librarian

Librarian Talk – Sally Baker – High School Librarian

Web App of the Week: Harmony ISD

Web App of the Week: Harmony ISD

Librarian Talk – Barbara Krainik – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Librarian Talk – Barbara Krainik – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Librarian Talk – Jill Adler – St. Anthony’s High School

Librarian Talk – Jill Adler – St. Anthony’s High School

Web App of the Week: The Jedi Academy

Web App of the Week: The Jedi Academy

Web App of the Week: St Anthony’s High School

Web App of the Week: St Anthony’s High School

Librarian Talk – Lori Davis – District Librarian

Librarian Talk – Lori Davis – District Librarian

Librarian Talk — Toni Vahlsing — Abington Friends School 

Librarian Talk — Toni Vahlsing — Abington Friends School 

Diversity and Inclusion – Accessit Book Club

Diversity and Inclusion – Accessit Book Club

Supporting mental health in the library: Mallinson Library, Wellington College, Berkshire

Supporting mental health in the library: Mallinson Library, Wellington College, Berkshire

Loving books this Valentine’s Day!

Loving books this Valentine’s Day!

Information and Digital Literacy – Richer Through Collaboration

Information and Digital Literacy – Richer Through Collaboration

The library – a safe space for everyone

The library – a safe space for everyone

On the Road Again – NZ Roadshow 2019

On the Road Again – NZ Roadshow 2019

Genrefying your library: Unley High School

Genrefying your library: Unley High School

Building a Strong Reading Culture: St Rita’s College Library

Building a Strong Reading Culture: St Rita’s College Library

Australia Roadshow 2019 – a great success!

Australia Roadshow 2019 – a great success!

Creating an amazing online library presence

Creating an amazing online library presence

Deepening literacy engagement

Deepening literacy engagement

Tsukuba International School

Tsukuba International School

Otago Boys’ High School

Otago Boys’ High School

Le Régent College

Le Régent College

Wesley Intermediate School

Wesley Intermediate School

Fuqua School

Fuqua School

Kamo High School

Kamo High School

Mental Health Foundation of NZ

Mental Health Foundation of NZ

Leicestershire County Council

Leicestershire County Council

Cambridge High School

Cambridge High School

Saint Kentigern College

Saint Kentigern College

Culford School

Culford School

Greenhithe School

Greenhithe School

Reynella East College

Reynella East College

Tyndale Christian School

Tyndale Christian School

Shepparton High School

Shepparton High School

Let’s Talk Libraries: Richmond & Prahran High School – Karys McEwen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Richmond & Prahran High School – Karys McEwen

Richmond & Prahran High School Library

Let’s Talk Libraries: Richmond & Prahran High School – Karys McEwen

School librarian, Karys McEwen, has achieved no small feat in establishing two libraries from scratch. Working between Prahran High School and Richmond High School, Karys now works full time at the former as she’s brought both libraries to a stage where full-time library management is required. Karys touches on the support she received from both schools throughout her endeavour and discusses how Accessit Library was the right Library System for establishing two brand-new secondary school libraries.

Type  Secondary School
Roll 750
Campus One campus
Install Cloud installation
Location Victoria, Australia
Type  Secondary School
Roll 650
Campus One campus
Install Cloud installation
Location Victoria, Australia

Keywords:

  • Two brand-new libraries
  • Third-party Integrations
  • Seamless user interface
  • Search functions
  • Reading culture

It was a really exciting opportunity to begin with a completely blank canvas. It was also daunting, but the Accessit Library team made it a really straight-forward process and because Accessit Library is so suited to school libraries, it wasn’t a headache at all.

Karys McEwen

School Librarian, Prahran High School, VIC

What has working between two libraries been like?

It has been a busy three years! I am really proud of the work I have done.

In 2019 I was hired to set up two brand new secondary school libraries, in two brand new schools: Prahran High School and Richmond High School. Both were empty rooms when I started. In three years, I have grown both libraries into small collections (about 3,000 books each) and both use Accessit Library as their Library Management System. This year I am now full time at Prahran High School as there is now a need for a full-time librarian at each school.

My job has been to oversee and undertake everything in the two libraries, such as:

Plus, creating the reading culture in both schools through library programs, working with classes, readers advisory, Book Club, Writers’ Club and everything in between.

Building two brand-new secondary school libraries from scratch must’ve been quite a unique experience, how did you do it?

It was a really exciting opportunity to begin with a completely blank canvas. It was also daunting, but the Accessit Library team made it a really straight-forward process and because Accessit Library is so suited to school libraries, it wasn’t a headache at all.

I had to start from scratch, so there were definitely things that I didn’t think about and just had to learn along the way – but it was a really exciting opportunity!

It’s also very interesting that there are things that you don’t think about in an established library because they’re just there. Whether that’s on the catalogue or in the physical library itself, there were many decisions I had to make. For example, “What will my spine labels look like?” or “How do I display my books?”.

There were things that I started doing and then changed along the way and Accessit Library was really good for that. For example, being able to make bulk changes when needed within the Library Management System – that was really handy.

Why choose Accessit Library as the Library Management System for two-brand new school libraries?

I used Accessit at a past school (Glen Eira College) for two years and had nothing but good experiences with the system. I love how intuitive and user-friendly it is, as well as how customisable it is for each school. I found the team really supportive and friendly and no request was too big or small, especially when I was first learning how to use Accessit Library.

I feel like I’m absolutely sold on it.

So, when I started these two libraries, I didn’t even shop around because I was just so impressed with my two years using Accessit Library at a previous school.

It was just a done deal.

I also have a few colleagues that have used Accessit Library and it definitely helps to be able to ask other people and communicate with other librarians that are already using it.

The Accessit Library Help Portal is really useful too. It’s really extensive and very helpful. The online Help Portal means I can always try to solve my own problems first. I have a lot more confidence in my cataloguing and system management since working with Accessit Library. It gives me the confidence to figure things out for myself most of the time.

You’ve mentioned that the Accessit Library support team has been helpful, what else would you say about them?

The customer support at Accessit Library is really great. They are excellent, completely unbeatable, and the number one reason why I would recommend Accessit Library to other school librarians.

When I have any problems or questions, I just submit a ticket online and a technician calls me back almost immediately. I like that I don’t have to be an IT expert to use Accessit Library – because the staff always explain things to me in a way I can understand, and upskill me to be able to troubleshoot myself along the way.

What features of Accessit Library as a Library Management System have been the most helpful for you?

  • I really like how clear everything is on every page and how simple it is to switch between pages.
  • I love the search functions and find them so easy to use.
  • I love how smoothly SCIS and other databases work with the system and how I can incorporate things like eBooks and ClickView into the collection.
  • I love Single Sign-On for the Accessit Library Web App and how customisable the Web App is.

How did you approach getting students at both schools to engage with the Accessit Library Web App?

I think that it’s really important introducing them to the library. We have orientation sessions for students in Year 7 and we do a refresher course in the future years. During my Library Orientation sessions, I introduce (or re-introduce) the students to the Accessit Library Web App and ask them to bookmark it on their devices.

I show them how to:

  • Search the catalogue
  • Log in to their accounts to check their loans or renew books
  • Access our digital research resources on the news feed.
Students
The Accessit Library Web App really helps with this, even on a basic level, like searching the library catalogue by finding what they’re looking for using keywords, title or author name.

I spent a lot of time on the Accessit Library Web App when we had our first lockdown in 2020. That was a chance for me to really get it going. With the kids being at home, I wanted them to still feel like the library was there for them.

The Web App was the perfect way to do that because they can access it 24/7.

I put a lot of different things on there that weren’t necessarily about libraries and books to keep them engaged and entertained. I regularly posted:

  • Interesting stories
  • Reading recommendations
  • Boredom busters
  • Virtual excursions
  • Students’ book reviews

They could go on there and feel a little bit like they’re in the library, but in a digital way.

I also made a couple of videos showing them where to download eBooks and where to find different online resources which I uploaded to the Web App, too. It also has the foundational information on there like where they can go to do online research and how they use the library.

Richmond High School Library Web App

I think it looks great – very busy and colourful, with relevant and interesting information for the kids and even some student input, too. I would love to expand on this and get more book reviews in there.

Karys McEwen

I sort of see it as a social media feed in a way, so I just try to keep it updated as much as I can.

I think deleting old content and keeping it fresh with new stuff is really important. It’s the same as in the library – I don’t have the same books on display all year round, so keeping the same thing in mind when it comes to the Web App is really important.

I think that information literacy is so important to teach them and because Accessit Library is so user-friendly and visually appealing to young people, it encourages them to use it to take control of their library use – in terms of both their borrowing and online research. I have lists on my Web App of all our digital research resources, so they use it primarily for that.

What is the reading culture like at both Prahran High School and Richmond High school?

There is a really great reading culture at both schools.

Returned books
Students

The library is a busy hub, with classes, extracurricular programs and kids spending time there during breaks and after school. The two schools are quite similar in that way. They are small collections, but very curated and highly circulated, which I think is better than having a huge collection full of dusty books that are never used!

Library

I’ve got a book club at both schools that the kids choose to come in their own time voluntarily. The reading culture at both schools is supported by teaching staff that are good readers themselves and promote that.

A lot of our kids are members of their local libraries as well, so a lot of them have searched catalogues before, which is really good.

How would you describe Accessit in one word?

Not one word but… a librarian’s best friend!

Books for Middle Grade Plus

Books for Middle Grade Plus

Case Study – East Durham College UK

Case Study – East Durham College UK

Accessit Update 9.3.6: Language Tools

Accessit Update 9.3.6: Language Tools

New Accessit and Peters Partnership Helps UK Schools Strengthen Libraries Without Compromising Budgets

New Accessit and Peters Partnership Helps UK Schools Strengthen Libraries Without Compromising Budgets

The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Reading Program in an International School

The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Reading Program in an International School

How to Prove Your Library’s Impact and Win Support: A Guide for International Schools

How to Prove Your Library’s Impact and Win Support: A Guide for International Schools

What Makes a “Busy” Library in an International School – and Why It Matters

What Makes a “Busy” Library in an International School – and Why It Matters

How International Schools Can Automate Their Library & Free Up Time for What Matters 

How International Schools Can Automate Their Library & Free Up Time for What Matters 

Beyond the Shelves: How Accessit Helps School Libraries Every Step of the Way

Beyond the Shelves: How Accessit Helps School Libraries Every Step of the Way

Books to Help Teach Empathy

Books to Help Teach Empathy

Picture Books – Top Picks

Picture Books – Top Picks

A Learning and Marketing Tool to Increase Student Engagement

A Learning and Marketing Tool to Increase Student Engagement

Bring on The Comics!

Bring on The Comics!

The (Multiple) Books of Christmas

The (Multiple) Books of Christmas

What Does Information Literacy Mean?

What Does Information Literacy Mean?

Substitution Rules Don’t Have To Be Scary

Substitution Rules Don’t Have To Be Scary

Embedding the Library as a Whole School Resource

Embedding the Library as a Whole School Resource

Getting Creative With Visual Search

Getting Creative With Visual Search

Starting The Year Off Right in Your Library

Starting The Year Off Right in Your Library

Case Study – Avondale School, NSW

Case Study – Avondale School, NSW

Case Study – Riva Primary, WA

Case Study – Riva Primary, WA

Including Digital Resources in Your Library

Including Digital Resources in Your Library

Let’s Talk Libraries: Cheney School – Jill Fenton

Let’s Talk Libraries: Cheney School – Jill Fenton

Let’s Talk Libraries: Bishop Gilpin C of E Primary School – Sally Le Marquand

Let’s Talk Libraries: Bishop Gilpin C of E Primary School – Sally Le Marquand

Creating a School-wide Reading Culture

Creating a School-wide Reading Culture

Let’s Talk Libraries: Thomas Hardye School – Jenny Stevens

Let’s Talk Libraries: Thomas Hardye School – Jenny Stevens

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Good Help (OLGH) – Sarah Olushonde

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Good Help (OLGH) – Sarah Olushonde

Let’s Talk Libraries: St Anthony’s High School – Jill Adler

Let’s Talk Libraries: St Anthony’s High School – Jill Adler

Let’s Talk Libraries: Somerhill – Susan Smith

Let’s Talk Libraries: Somerhill – Susan Smith

Let’s Talk Libraries: Beacon Academy – Natasha Allen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Beacon Academy – Natasha Allen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Southland Girls’ High School

Let’s Talk Libraries: Southland Girls’ High School

Let’s Talk Libraries: Littlehampton Primary – Barb O’Connor

Let’s Talk Libraries: Littlehampton Primary – Barb O’Connor

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Hill School (US) – Nancy Body, Catherine Clowes

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Hill School (US) – Nancy Body, Catherine Clowes

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Lourdes – Danielle Leathart

Let’s Talk Libraries: Our Lady of Lourdes – Danielle Leathart

Let’s Talk Libraries: Richmond & Prahran High School – Karys McEwen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Richmond & Prahran High School – Karys McEwen

Let’s Talk Libraries: Croxley Danes School – Victoria Rovira

Let’s Talk Libraries: Croxley Danes School – Victoria Rovira

The Lovett School – Storybook Pumpkin Contest

The Lovett School – Storybook Pumpkin Contest

Web App of the Week: World Book Day (UK) – Free download

Web App of the Week: World Book Day (UK) – Free download

Web App of the Week: Waitangi Day – Free download

Web App of the Week: Waitangi Day – Free download

Supporting Reluctant Readers

Supporting Reluctant Readers

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Lovett School – Robyn Martin

Let’s Talk Libraries: The Lovett School – Robyn Martin

Let’s Talk Libraries: Lloyd Street Primary School (VIC)

Let’s Talk Libraries: Lloyd Street Primary School (VIC)

Let’s Talk Libraries: Seatoun School – Wendy Bamber

Let’s Talk Libraries: Seatoun School – Wendy Bamber

Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Competition Recap

Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Competition Recap

Raising the profile of your school library

Raising the profile of your school library

Let’s Talk Libraries: Christian College Geelong (VIC) – Gerradine Barry

Let’s Talk Libraries: Christian College Geelong (VIC) – Gerradine Barry

Let’s Talk Libraries: Paula Na Nagara – St Mark’s School 

Let’s Talk Libraries: Paula Na Nagara – St Mark’s School 

Let’s Talk Libraries: Diocese of Toowoomba (QLD) – Liz Newman

Let’s Talk Libraries: Diocese of Toowoomba (QLD) – Liz Newman

Let’s Talk Libraries: Peace Lutheran College (QLD) – Tanya Mills

Let’s Talk Libraries: Peace Lutheran College (QLD) – Tanya Mills

Web App of the Week: Halloween – Free download

Web App of the Week: Halloween – Free download

The Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Free resource download

The Axe-cessit Halloween Showcase – Free resource download

Accessit Library Talks – Episode 1 – Kevin Arscott of Coleg Gwent

Accessit Library Talks – Episode 1 – Kevin Arscott of Coleg Gwent

Web App of the Week: Dixons Cottingley Academy

Web App of the Week: Dixons Cottingley Academy

Web App of the Week: Sydenham School

Web App of the Week: Sydenham School

Librarians of Accessit – Sarah Pavey

Librarians of Accessit – Sarah Pavey

An introduction to using Social Media in your library

An introduction to using Social Media in your library

Web App of the Week: Denefield School

Web App of the Week: Denefield School

Getting students involved in your school library

Getting students involved in your school library

Web App of the Week: Environment Day & World Oceans Day – Free Download

Web App of the Week: Environment Day & World Oceans Day – Free Download

Web App of the Week – Ursuline Academy of Dallas

Web App of the Week – Ursuline Academy of Dallas

Web App of the Week – Woodland Middle School Academy

Web App of the Week – Woodland Middle School Academy

Web App of the Week – Anzac Day – Free download

Web App of the Week – Anzac Day – Free download

Web App of the Week – Sarah Bonnell School

Web App of the Week – Sarah Bonnell School

Librarian Talk – Claire Bavister – Woodland Middle School Academy 

Librarian Talk – Claire Bavister – Woodland Middle School Academy 

Librarian Talk – Mary McGavin – Fulham Prep School

Librarian Talk – Mary McGavin – Fulham Prep School

Web App of the Week: Happy Holidays – Free download

Web App of the Week: Happy Holidays – Free download

Librarian Talk – Poonampal Kaur – Sarah Bonnell School

Librarian Talk – Poonampal Kaur – Sarah Bonnell School

How to promote your school library catalogue

How to promote your school library catalogue

Librarian Talk – Jason Saikaly – Barker College

Librarian Talk – Jason Saikaly – Barker College

How to approach collection development in school libraries

How to approach collection development in school libraries

Web App of the Week – Thornbury High School

Web App of the Week – Thornbury High School

Lynn Swannell – Mount Eliza Secondary College, Victoria, Australia

Lynn Swannell – Mount Eliza Secondary College, Victoria, Australia

Librarian Talk – Wendy Wright – Avonside Girls’ High & Shirley Boys’ High

Librarian Talk – Wendy Wright – Avonside Girls’ High & Shirley Boys’ High

15 downloadable resources every school librarian needs

15 downloadable resources every school librarian needs

Web App of the Week – Ashburton College

Web App of the Week – Ashburton College

Librarian Talk – Leisa Westerhof – Norwood Morialta High School

Librarian Talk – Leisa Westerhof – Norwood Morialta High School

Web App of the Week – Barker College

Web App of the Week – Barker College

Librarian Talk – Delia Achten – Ashburton College

Librarian Talk – Delia Achten – Ashburton College

Librarian Talk – Frances Currie – Prendergast Vale School

Librarian Talk – Frances Currie – Prendergast Vale School

Web App of the Week – Durrington High School

Web App of the Week – Durrington High School

Web App of the Week – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Web App of the Week – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Librarian Talk – Melissa Ashby – Wanaka Primary School

Librarian Talk – Melissa Ashby – Wanaka Primary School

Web App of the Week: Matariki – Free Download

Web App of the Week: Matariki – Free Download

Librarian Talk – Sasha Roth – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Librarian Talk – Sasha Roth – Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School

Web App of the Week – Wanaka Primary School

Web App of the Week – Wanaka Primary School

Librarian Talk – Jill Marriott – Corinna School

Librarian Talk – Jill Marriott – Corinna School

Web App of the Week – Great Baddow High School

Web App of the Week – Great Baddow High School

Web App of the Week – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Web App of the Week – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Librarian Talk – Gemma Sosnowsky – Queen Elizabeth School

Librarian Talk – Gemma Sosnowsky – Queen Elizabeth School

Librarian Talk – Donna Harris – Great Baddow High School

Librarian Talk – Donna Harris – Great Baddow High School

Web App of the Week – Abington Friends School

Web App of the Week – Abington Friends School

Librarian Talk – Kay Morfett – Rolleston School

Librarian Talk – Kay Morfett – Rolleston School

Web App of the Week – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Web App of the Week – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Librarian Talk – Gabrielle Wales – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Librarian Talk – Gabrielle Wales – Broadland High Ormiston Academy

Web App of the Week – Rolleston School

Web App of the Week – Rolleston School

Librarian Talk – Sally Baker – High School Librarian

Librarian Talk – Sally Baker – High School Librarian

Web App of the Week: Harmony ISD

Web App of the Week: Harmony ISD

Librarian Talk – Barbara Krainik – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Librarian Talk – Barbara Krainik – Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Librarian Talk – Jill Adler – St. Anthony’s High School

Librarian Talk – Jill Adler – St. Anthony’s High School

Web App of the Week: The Jedi Academy

Web App of the Week: The Jedi Academy

Web App of the Week: St Anthony’s High School

Web App of the Week: St Anthony’s High School

Librarian Talk – Lori Davis – District Librarian

Librarian Talk – Lori Davis – District Librarian

Librarian Talk — Toni Vahlsing — Abington Friends School 

Librarian Talk — Toni Vahlsing — Abington Friends School 

Diversity and Inclusion – Accessit Book Club

Diversity and Inclusion – Accessit Book Club

Supporting mental health in the library: Mallinson Library, Wellington College, Berkshire

Supporting mental health in the library: Mallinson Library, Wellington College, Berkshire

Loving books this Valentine’s Day!

Loving books this Valentine’s Day!

Information and Digital Literacy – Richer Through Collaboration

Information and Digital Literacy – Richer Through Collaboration

The library – a safe space for everyone

The library – a safe space for everyone

On the Road Again – NZ Roadshow 2019

On the Road Again – NZ Roadshow 2019

Genrefying your library: Unley High School

Genrefying your library: Unley High School

Building a Strong Reading Culture: St Rita’s College Library

Building a Strong Reading Culture: St Rita’s College Library

Australia Roadshow 2019 – a great success!

Australia Roadshow 2019 – a great success!

Creating an amazing online library presence

Creating an amazing online library presence

Deepening literacy engagement

Deepening literacy engagement

Tsukuba International School

Tsukuba International School

Otago Boys’ High School

Otago Boys’ High School

Le Régent College

Le Régent College

Wesley Intermediate School

Wesley Intermediate School

Fuqua School

Fuqua School

Kamo High School

Kamo High School

Mental Health Foundation of NZ

Mental Health Foundation of NZ

Leicestershire County Council

Leicestershire County Council

Cambridge High School

Cambridge High School

Saint Kentigern College

Saint Kentigern College

Culford School

Culford School

Greenhithe School

Greenhithe School

Reynella East College

Reynella East College

Tyndale Christian School

Tyndale Christian School

Shepparton High School

Shepparton High School