Willow's New Library celebrates its first birthday!

Parental Librarians and 6th Form pupils celebrated the Library's first birthday with a reading (by Joseph O'Donnell, P6) of the poem 'My Library'.
Thereafter, amidst tea and cakes, Library Co-ordinator Helen Hughes gave those gathered an insight into the evolution of the reading space throughout the year and what it means to her.
The principal then read a number of poems relating to reading, started a discussion on books in general and the changing face of learning-with the growth in e-learning, Amazons 'Kindle' and the power of the Image. He noted the arrival of 'digerati' -and wondered if they might replace the traditional 'literati'!
The celebration ended with the 6th Formers giving their views on recent publications and their use of the Library.

This was a meeting of minds- between parents, pupils and the principal. And what better place to have such a meeting but in a peaceful library?

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To slightly mis-quote one American First Lady (Lady Bird Johnson):
Perhaps no place in any community is so totally democratic as the school library. The only entrance requirement is interest.

Over the last year our book shelves have grown and multiplied. Supported by Willow families and friends, the Library has become the welcoming space for learning and communication. Silent reading, visiting speakers, Circle-Time ,Green school co-0rdination and committee meetings fill the space at various times of the day.
It is truly the pupils' space., opening its doors from 8.30 am every morning and being available into late evening for discussions and meetings.
Nurtured by Helen Hughes and her WPA volunteers, the Library trains 6th Formers as Librarians, supports teachers in providing learning material and guides the boys in their choice of books- an onerous task at the best of times!
As the inscription of the Library of Thebes stated:
'Medicine for the soul'
-J.Casey

POEM

MY LIBRARY
by Varda One *

It's only a room with shelves and books,
but it's far more magical than it looks

It's a jet on which I soar
to lands that exist no more.

Or a key with which I find
answers to questions crowding my mind.

Building my habit of learning and growing,
asking and researching till I reach knowing.

Here, I've been a mermaid and an elf
I've even learned to be more myself.

I think that I shall never see
a place that's been more useful to me.

With encouraging kind friends with wit
Who tell me to dream big and never quit.

It's only a room with shelves and books,
but it's far more magical than it looks.
 

Library at Thebes 1250 BC

Library at Willow 2010 AD

Library

The Willow Park Library opens its doors and books to readers of all ages! 4/3/2010

On March 4th 2010 (World Book Day), the Willow Park Library 'quietly' opened its doors officially to the student-body.

Months of careful planning, weeks of 'hard-graft' and the generosity of Willow families allowed the Library Committee to reach its target and have shelves full of interesting and stimulating books for the boys.

Pupils could scarcely contain their excitement as they entered our quiet, learning space for the first time!
Following a brief welcome and outline on how to use the Library, the boys quickly went to the shelves and made their initial choices. Following our computerised system, all books were scanned and released for reading.
Over the following days all classes experienced the Library and a suitable time-table is now in the process of being evolved. It is envisaged that every class will have a weekly period in the Library and that both our 'avid and reluctant' readers will come to love the pleasure and knowledge that comes with reading.

Later on that day, Fr. Denis Gavin officially blessed the Library in the company of Fr.O'Brolchain and Spiritan educationalists from DuQuesne University in the U.S.
The Principal thanked the Library committee for their labours and Willow families for their generosity. Thereafter, a reading of Milosz's memorable poem, 'Any yet the books…' took place :

AND YET THE BOOKS

And yet the books will be there on the shelves, separate beings,
That appeared once, still wet
As shining chestnuts under a tree in autumn
And, touched, coddled, began to live
In spite of fires on the horizon, castles blown up
Tribes on the march, planets in motion.
"We are," they said, even as their pages
Were being torn out, or a buzzing flame
Licked away their letters. So much more durable
Than we are, whose frail warmth
Cools down with memory, disperses, perishes.
I imagine the earth when I am no more:
Nothing happens, no loss, it's still a strange pageant,
Women's dresses, dewy lilacs, a song in the valley.
Yet, the books will be there on the shelves, well born,
Derived from people, but also from radiance, heights.

-Czeslaw Milosz, Berkeley, 1986

The Library will be at the heart of learning in our new school. Under the care of a WPA cohort who love books, we hope the Library will evolve to allow study, independent exploration and reading, presentations and events to take place within its book-shelved walls.
Eight 6th Formers are being trained to run the IT system and support the Library Committee for the early-morning and lunch-time sessions.
Especial thanks to Jacky Fox, Helen Hughes and all the WPA members who gave freely of their time and expertise. Also, our appreciation to Ms. Bairbre Ferriss, teacher of K2, for advising on lists, liaising and generally driving the idea forward.
The Library is a testament to the spirit that is Willow - that communal and 'meithel' spirit that can' get things done'- where problems transform into 'challenges'- that are overcome with imaginative solutions, hard work and camaraderie.

We now have a Library that is well-resourced, busy and continually welcoming further 'bookish' donations. Vision, design, generosity and a love of all things ' bibliomania' were part of this creation.
Congratulations to all involved.
Books do indeed humanise us!