Coastal Taranaki School

Coastal library goes on-line
COASTALTaranaki School library is now on-line for all the community, thanks to a grant from TSB Community Trust.

The on-line library software bought with the grant is one of the most advanced types, says learning technologist Rob Green.
“I think we’re one of only two Taranaki schools to have it.  The most important aspect of it is that it puts the library into a public website environment.

“We’re not just talking books. The software library catalogues all the resources at the school including education websites so that the community can see and access these resources.”

The Trust granted the school $90,000 for investment in the software, as well as new photocopiers, a remote access server, multi media equipment enabling students to access the latest in digital video editing, and data projectors.

Mr Green, who is helping teachers “come to grips with the new technology”, says staff have almost finished the purchasing process, which began at the start of the year.

Another facet of the entire project is the replacement of printers with photocopiers/printers/scanners, which cuts printing costs and indirectly contributes towards less cutting down of trees.

With the introduction of a user pays photocopying scheme - the children are allocated a certain amount of “print credit” each term -  students are less inclined to print screeds of paper, and colour printing is now more accessible and costs are managed.