When I started in the library in Term 4 last year, Ms Gaspari handed me an Avant Guard postcard with the details of a “Changed My Life” campaign, an initiative of the Copyright Agency. Her words were simply “ To get you into ‘Library land’ I would like to extend the challenge to you to do something creative around this idea, be as imaginative as you like!” …And so the “This Book Changed My Life” project began.
After spending a term of learning ‘all things library’ I then spent a holiday relaxing at the beach and thinking of the possibilities of a ‘This Book Changed My life’ campaign at Trinity. I started thinking how great it would be if I could capture on film the stories of books that have impacted the staff and students at Trinity. I approached Mr Blois to see if he would be interested in embarking on the journey with me and thankfully he was keen to be involved!
We began filming for the “This Book Changed My Life” initiative in March this year and now have over 40 stories to date. Students, support staff, and teachers from across the three campuses have been involved, including our Head Master, Mr Bowden and the Heads of School for both the Junior School and Preparatory School, Mr Dunn and Mr Wyatt, who offered their immediate support for the project.
These stories have been collated into a website which will go live after the launch which is to be held in the Arthur Holt Library on June 1, 2018 during “Friday Night Fever” at 6.15pm. The Acting Director of Corporate Affairs at the Copyright Agency, Sue Nelson, will also be attending and will say a few words about her ‘Changed My Life’ project and the importance of respecting Authors.
A short feature film showcasing some of the contributions made by students and staff at Trinity will be shown at 6.30pm, 7.15pm and 8pm in the Arthur Holt library during ‘Friday Night Fever”..
The support for the project has been overwhelming and I am so grateful that there are so many that share our love of literature in the community. It is our hope that through hearing the stories of inspiration shared by those participating in the project, many more students will be encouraged to develop their love of literature by reading more widely.
Here is a sneak peak at some of the stories which will be on the website!
It was interesting to note that when first asked the question “Which book changed your life?”, many people responded with, “I don’t know if I could choose just one!” but then returned to me later, after spending some time pondering the thought, to say… “Well there is one book that has changed my life, it’s …”
Why not tell us which book changed your life with a short description and if possible, a photo of yourself holding the book, by emailing us on librarian@trinity.nsw.edu.au.
Happy reading! Mrs Heanly
