College Libraries

Our Primary and Secondary Libraries provide comfortable and flexible learning spaces where students can access library resources or seek assistance from our librarians to source information for academic or personal interests. Both libraries feature comfortable seating, ever-changing displays, reading suggestions and book reviews by library staff and students, providing quiet, welcoming spaces for individual or group work, or class lessons.

Named after the founder of the Sisters of St Joseph in Tasmania, the Sister Francis McCarthy Secondary Library provides students and staff with access to a wide range of information resources through the library’s print collection and extensive online resources.

Qualified library staff work closely with teachers to support students in all areas of the College curriculum, supporting recreational reading as part of the Literacy Program, actively resourcing material for classwork and assignments and helping students develop their own research, analysis and referencing skills.

Library computers are available for research purposes and touch-screen devices provide easy access to the library catalogue of over 24,000 books. The secondary library can also provide students with loan laptops or scientific calculators if their own device is unavailable for a short term.

The Secondary Library is open Monday to Friday from 8.35am to 3.15pm and is utilised by class groups during the school day, also providing a comfortable and warm place for students to access during recess and lunch, with seating areas, chess tables and space for card games.   

 On Tuesday afternoons the library opens for extended hours, hosting tutorials for English, History, Maths and Science. Teachers are on hand to help students with assignments, exam preparation or extra assistance at any stage during the school year.

The library’s online resources are accessible to students and staff 24 hours a day, including: 

  • The College’s paper collection managed by the Oliver Library management system
  • A curated database of authoritative, current and reliable websites through Weblinks Plus
  • Online encyclopaedia, Britannica School to support and assist with research tasks
  • An enormous collection of e-books and audiobooks through the Wheelers Platform
  • A direct link to Clickview providing access to thousands of educational videos
  • Access to copyright free images to compliment assignments

Students and staff have access to the library catalogue and all online services through the Library page on Josie, our learning management system.

  


The Primary Library is an open little hub of excitement regularly hosting students as they participate in class visits to enjoy story time or explore the library shelves for books that appeal to their personal interests, be they fact or fiction. The library is used by class groups during the school day and is also open for students every lunch time.

Our enthusiastic library staff respond to student requests to add specific new titles to the shelves, provide suggestions for home reading, encourage students to participate in a range of programs and activities such as the Premier’s Reading Challenge, National Simultaneous Story time and Book Week, and regularly inspire new areas of interest through dynamic visual displays, or workshops with guest authors or illustrators.

Inter-library borrowing allows students across the College to discover resources, nurture their interests and extend their reading abilities. Year 6 students are introduced to the secondary library as part of their transition program.

Our students develop a strong reading culture in the primary campus and we strive to maintain this enthusiasm with the support of library staff working across both campuses.