What Motivates You to Read?

For some, it is the curiosity to discover more about a favourite or new topic.  Others are compelled to buy the next book in their most favourite series – they just must find out about what’s happening to the main character. They’re so motivated to read on after the cliffhanger at the end of the last book! Students have so many different activities on the go, it can be hard to stay motivated to read but it is worth encouraging them to keep at it.

Sometimes it’s as simple as encouraging them to explore new types of stories or to keep on going with the class novel or to read about a favourite sport or hobby.  We’ve noticed over the years that avid readers love to share about what they’re reading with their friends or in conversation with an adult who enjoys reading.  Students motivating each other to read by sharing their interests and swapping book recommendations keeps their reading journey alive and builds a love of lifelong reading.

It’s been fantastic to see these peer recommendations happening during library visits, Primary Book Clubs and when Middle School classes come to the library to borrow. Many students enjoy reading before school and at break when small groups gather to browse the collection and choose their next great read. Library staff find great joy in supporting students and are always happy to help offer ideas and showcase new books. Parents are also welcome to borrow books from the library. Our parenting collection is highly recommended.

Holidays provide more time to read for pleasure and we have encouraged students to borrow from the library over the break. There’s a great selection of stories from a range of genres together with lots of interesting information books available for loan. Primary students in Years 3 – 6 can access the Literacy Pro eBook library over the holidays. Students in Secondary can access the 24/7 Wheelers ePlatform Collection from the link on the Library Gateway pages. Audiobooks are enjoying increased popularity for young people as well as adult readers/listeners. Our GCC eBook collection via the Wheelers ePlatform has over 1500 eBooks and 580 eAudiobooks available for loan, so there are many options to choose from and great stories are just a click away.

Sunshine Coast Libraries have an extensive range of children’s and young adult books for loan as well as a wide range of e-resources including ebooks, audiobooks, e-magazines, music, and films.  All of these items are available for free and can be accessed with your membership card. Check out the Easter School Holiday activities scheduled below at Beerwah Library:

When?	Time	Program	Details	Ages	Need to book
Monday 3 – Friday 14 April	All Day	Scavenger Hunt	Search the library for all of the hidden backpacks and check them off as you find them.	All Ages	No
Monday 3 – Friday 14 April	All Day	Colouring	kids can colour in one of the large props such as a lemonade stand or castle when they visit	All Ages	No
Monday 3 April	All Day	Games day	Game on! Drop in and challenge your family or friends to a range of all-time favourite games.	5 years +	No
Tuesday 4 April	10-12pm	Eater Craft Day	Join the fun and create your very own fun Easter-themed craft.	Suitable for ages 4+.	No
Wednesday 5 April	All Day	Games day	Game on! Drop in and challenge your family or friends to a range of all-time favourite games.	5 years +	No
Thursday 6 April	All Day	Games Day	Game on! Drop in and challenge your family or friends to a range of all-time favourite games.	5 years +	No
Tuesday 11 April	All Day	Games Day	Game on! Drop in and challenge your family or friends to a range of all-time favourite games.	5 years +	No
Wednesday 12 April	All Day	Games Day	Game on! Drop in and challenge your family or friends to a range of all-time favourite games.	5 years +	No
Thursday 13 April	2 – 4pm	Megagon drop in build	Come along and get creative and hands-on to build with Megagon tiles.	6 years +	No
Friday  14 April	All day	Games Day	Game on! Drop in and challenge your family or friends to a range of all-time favourite games.	5 years +

Here are some free School Holiday Storytelling and Activities for you and your children at Rosetta Books at Maleny. Go to www.rosettabooks.com.au for more details.

If you are looking for ideas for a day out why not consider visiting the Story Seats? Sunshine Coast Council has designed and constructed 10 innovative Story Seats that are located in 10 of the Coast’s most stunning local parks and have incorporated 10 fabulous illustrations into the seats’ designs. Go to this link for further details.

Holiday Camp

Brian Falkner is returning to the Sunshine Coast with his internationally acclaimed Write like an author camp during the holidays, starting on Tuesday 4 April, and running until Thursday, 6 April at Immanuel Lutheran College. There will be a three day camp for children aged 9 to 14 and a one day workshop for children aged 7 to 10.

Young writers will learn:

* How to come up with story ideas

* How to plan and outline a story

* How to come up with interesting, sympathetic characters

* The writing process, how to put it all down on paper

Plus, they’ll make new friends and have heaps of fun!

The location of the camp is Immanuel Lutheran College, Wises Rd, Buderim.

Young writers (or their parents) can register here.

All the best for the end of term and we hope you have a relaxing holiday with lots of time to enjoy a great read!

Vanessa McKellar and Beryl Morris, Teacher Librarians