St Andrew’s Lutheran College in Tallebudgera unveils spectacular new library
3D printers, hidden doors and a classy reading lounge – the new library at this renowned Gold Coast school is full of surprises. Take a sneak peek inside.
Education
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The 30-year story of a renowned Gold Coast school has a colourful new chapter, and it’s proving a real page-turner for students and staff alike.
St Andrew’s Lutheran College in Tallebudgera last month took the wraps off a long-planned revamp of its secondary school library.
The innovative facility includes a “maker space”, break-out bubbles, classrooms and a reading lounge – all designed to encourage young minds to delve into its many books, collaborate on projects and get creative with assets including Lego walls and a 3D printer.
It has been such a hit that head of library services Barbara Kristo said up to 120 of the school’s approximately 650 secondary students packed the library at lunch times, while there were often queues waiting at the door for its 7.30am opening.
“Teens who don’t usually read much have come,” Ms Kristo said.
“They really love the reading area. And teachers too. We find teachers in there sometimes.
“We found our principal in there one day when he was on long-service leave, having a read.”
Ms Kristo said the library had been a “passion project” for the school, and it’s already received accolades, with principal David Bliss recently named the Queensland School Library Association (QSLA) Queensland Principal of the year as a result of the imaginative redesign.
Students were consulted on what to include in the library’s collection – “teenagers like teen recommendations” – while books tied to the curriculum are prominently displayed, such as graphic novels that help pupils understand and interpret classic texts.
There are displays about the school’s 30-year history, the history of the Tallebudgera area and about its First Nations people, curated with the help of traditional custodian and elder of the Yugumbeh Language group, Bundjalung nation, Uncle Allan Lena.
It’s built with soundproofing materials to help create a calming space, but with an eye on collaboration, the library is not a hushed one. “Learning is noisy,” Ms Kristo said.
“... And learning is about creating. That’s where the maker space comes in.”
And among the many ways students are kept engaged, there are fairy doors hidden among the shelves and artwork showcased on the walls.
“We wanted to make it fun,” Ms Kristo said. “Reading should be fun.”
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