The Forest Lodge Public School school library has always been housed in the spacious, high-ceilinged room on the second storey of the original 1883 building.
While it's still in the same place, the library has seen many changes over the years, both in the titles on its shelves and in its administration. An old ledger shows new books purchased in 1932 meticulously entered by hand. This ledger was used to record the arrival of new books into the 1990s when computers were installed.
In 2015, Library Teacher Ms Sannen announced the big news about the school's upgrade to a web-based library system that will have loads of exciting capabilities for teachers and students. The library has seen some historic events over the years. A former teacher recalls the day in 1969 when whole school filed in to the library to watch man's first moon landing on the school's TV.
The collection of books is always growing and changing, reflecting updates in the school curriculum and the interests of each generation of children who spend time enjoying reading within its walls.
Ms Sannen's picks 5 of the most popular books currently in the school library:
- Weirdo by Anh Do
- Guinness Book of World Records (from any year)
- anything by Andy Griffiths!
- Asterix and Obelix by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo
- Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief series by Rick Riordan
… and in 1916 (well before Ms Sannen's time), these were 5 of the most popular books – many of which are still loved by kids today.
- The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
- Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie • Anne of the Island (Anne of Green Gables #3) by L.M.
- Montgomery
- Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs
- Polyanna by Eleanor H. Porter