| Home | About Us | Site Map |  |
Privacy | Customer Service |
 |
 |
|
 |
||
|
About Scholastic Home In The Community Dromkeen The Book Bunker People Divisions Careers Manuscript Guidelines News Contact Us Worldwide |
|
|
A unique library for sick childrenThe Book Bunker is a unique library making a real difference to the lives of sick children at The New Children's Hospital, Australia's largest and most modern specialist children's hospital. The library is a first in Australia, and possibly the only facility of its kind in the world. Caring and professional staffThe Book Bunker is staffed by teacher-trained children's librarians. This truly remarkable group of librarians work on a job share, voluntary basis. A safe havenAppropriately named 'The Book Bunker', the library was designed as an inviting, interesting place for children and a place of refuge and escape - away from the reality of illness and treatment. The Book Bunker is therefore much more than a library. Children who spend long periods of time in hospital suffer from a suspended childhood, separated from their friends and school. This facility offers a chance for sick children to resume a part of their normal daily lives - to read and learn, listen to a story, enjoy the latest CD-ROM - and meet and talk to new friends in their own environment. A real-life story of inspiration and dedicationThe inspiration for Scholastic to create a library in the hospital came from the experience of a staff member who was the father of a very young heart patient at the Royal Alexandria Hospital for Children. His comment 'It's difficult for the hospital to provide enough books for the children' was taken seriously by his Scholastic colleagues, and the idea for this special library was conceived. Three years in the making, The Book Bunker was made possible by the fundraising activities and efforts of Scholastic and its staff who each year raise funds for the Variety Club of Australia. The company's passion for the project was matched by the support and commitment of many others, resulting in a unique coming together of inspiration and dedication. 
A vibrant, dynamic contemporary spaceThe plan for the library was bold, unique and clear - to create a vibrant, dynamic, contemporary space for young people with its own distinctive look, but also to reflect something of the exciting design of the hospital itself. From an initial brief from Scholastic Australia, Sydney-based company, BBR Design, managed the design and building of The Book Bunker. Supported by their contractors and suppliers who also generously contributed to the building of the facility, their outstanding commitment to the project has resulted in an interactive space more akin to a funky cafe than either a library or a hospital facility. A glowing neon sign draws people in. Books, children's artwork and poetry feature prominently on the walls. Eye-catching colours, fluid contours, interesting cloudlike overhead shapes, spotlighting and fascinating textures create an ambience that is at once warm and intimate and yet creates an illusion of space. 
A leading-edge library with up-to-the-minute technologyThe Book Bunker was designed and set up as a leading-edge library with up-to-the-minute technology and access to facilities such as the Internet. It also provides for the special needs of its users - children in wheelchairs, children with IV drips, children confined to bed. With a capacity of 20 000 books the library provides for children of all ages - babies to adolescents. In addition, children have access to an extensive range of story audio cassettes and six listening centres. Four computers, networked to a CD-ROM tower, give children easy and immediate access to the latest and most popular multimedia materials. Bed-bound children have access to the library through regular visits by The Book Bunker librarians. Specially-selected books can be borrowed immediately from The Book Bunker trolley, or the children can access the entire library collection from a laptop computer networked to The Book Bunker inquiry software. 
A magical openingThe Book Bunker, Scholastic's gift to the New Children's Hospital, was officially handed over to Dr John Yu on 14 March 1997. The Book Bunker was opened on 14 August 1997 by Mem Fox, creator of Australia's all-time best-selling picture book, Possum Magic. Ongoing support and commitmentThe initial library stock of books, cassettes and CD-ROMs has been generously donated by Australian children's book and multimedia publishers. Many publishers send regular supplies of new releases to ensure the library is constantly replenished with the latest materials. Cataloguing information is generously supplied by the Curriculum Corporation using their new SCISWeb and SCIS Downloading CD-ROM technology. The library is building its resources of books in foreign languages to cater for the many non-English speaking patients. It is also developing a major collection of children's books dealing with medical issues and trauma which will be managed separately by a committee of medical and children's literature professionals and used by hospital staff for counseling and education. 
Entertainment plusThe Book Bunker provides a program of children's entertainment with celebrity author/illustrator visits, story readings, competitions, etc. In this, it works hand in hand with Radio Bed Rock, the Starlight Express Room and the Hospital School. Caring management for the futureThe library is governed by a Management Board with representatives from Scholastic, the Variety Club and the NCH. The Board ensures an ongoing development of the Book Bunker which is responsive to the needs of the children at the hospital. Day-to-day management of the library is in the hands of the volunteer librarians. Training in hospital volunteer responsibilities and procedures is carried out by the NCH Volunteers Co-ordinator. The librarians meet monthly with the Scholastic representative to ensure continuity, resourcing and policy guidelines are being met. IT requirements are managed by the New Children's Hospital Computer Services Dept. The Scholastic Children's Library is generously supported byTHE VARIETY CLUBthe children's charitySupportersScholastic and The New Children's Hospital thank those who generously support The Book Bunker:
The Book Bunker
Further InformationFor more information please contact: Leonie Sweeney Public Relations Book Bunker |
|
© 1997 - 2008 Scholastic Australia
Read our Privacy Policy | Terms of Use