Students to benefit from library resources

Local secondary school students in Years 11 and 12 can now get a head start on their research and assignments by utilising the resources at Southern Cross University’s Lismore campus library.

The new School Access Program was officially launched at the University yesterday by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Clark. It is being piloted by students from Kyogle, Kadina, Richmond River, Lismore, St John’s College Woodlawn and Trinity Catholic College before eventually being rolled out more widely across the region.

Amelia Hosseini, Kadina High School captain, said having access to the University library would give students an educational advantage.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for students to access a library with so many more resources than either the Lismore City Library or our individual school libraries,” she said.

“For many of our major assignments we are required to do extensive research and look for lots of different sources of information to express the differing points of view on a topic.

“Here, we can access things like periodicals, magazine and newspaper articles, subject-specific journals, encyclopaedias and a huge number of academic books and on-line databases. It is just fantastic and I will certainly be coming here to use the library for my HSC studies.

“I am planning to come here to study a Bachelor of Media next year so it will give me a head start on learning how the system works and that is another advantage.”

School careers advisors, librarians and regional education managers also attended yesterday’s launch.

The School Access Program provides students with the opportunity to access library resources and services for their HSC and to make the transition to University less daunting by familiarising students with how the University’s systems work and the available resources and facilities, said Craig Littler, Library Services Manager.

The cost of joining the new scheme is $11 per calendar year and all memberships expire at the end of December, regardless of when you join. Up to five items can be borrowed at any one time, with books able to be borrowed for up to two weeks. Items can be renewed twice prior to the due date, so long as they have not been reserved by another borrower.

The program was a good example of Southern Cross University’s ongoing commitment to strengthening links with the regional community, Mr Littler said.

Download a copy of the application form and the library opening hours from: www.scu.edu.au/library

Photo: Kadina High School captain Amelia Hosseini (left) enjoys looking at a book with Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Clark and vice captain Taya Smith at the launch of the School Access Program.