More Than Books: Our Library Spaces at ATC

At Ambrose Treacy College, our two library spaces - Mt Sion Library in the Junior School and Westcourt Library in the Senior School - are far more than places to borrow books. They are vibrant, welcoming hubs of learning where boys come to read, research, study, create, collaborate and connect. In a busy school environment, they are also places of calm, belonging and opportunity - spaces where students can be supported academically, socially and personally. Recent Australian library research reflects exactly this, noting that school libraries provide access to information, carefully chosen resources, safe online experiences, learning and study spaces, and the teaching of digital literacy skills, and are “essential to the wellbeing and future success of students around the country.”

Across both libraries, our collections have been thoughtfully genrefied to help boys more easily find books they will genuinely enjoy. Popular fiction areas such as Action and Adventure, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Manga, Mystery, Graphic Novels, Sport and more make browsing more accessible, engaging and student-friendly. Rather than feeling overwhelmed by shelves, students are able to navigate the collection with confidence, discover authors and series they love, and build positive reading habits over time.

Our libraries also offer much more than bookshelves. Students make regular use of our study areas for quiet reading, homework and assessment preparation, while our games spaces provide opportunities for connection and downtime through chess, cards, board games, LEGO and puzzles.

ATC also runs a dedicated Homework Club across both libraries, with teachers on hand to assist students with assignments, study and classwork. Pop into either library before school, at lunch or after school, and you are likely to find boys immersed in books, collaborating over schoolwork, enjoying a game with friends, or quietly seeking help from a teacher - exactly the kind of energy that makes our libraries such valued spaces at ATC.

Importantly, our library spaces are also central to teaching and learning. Across the year, both Mt Sion and Westcourt are used for research and referencing lessons, where students learn how to locate credible information, evaluate sources carefully, and correctly acknowledge and cite these resources in their work. Teachers also regularly bring classes into the libraries to use these spaces for feedback, conferencing and purposeful learning, further highlighting the library’s role as a key learning hub at ATC. In this way, our libraries are not only places for reading and research, but dynamic environments where teaching, reflection and independent learning come together. In Years 4–7, students participate in Library Skills, a valuable program that equips our boys with the knowledge and confidence to find information effectively, use library resources well, and develop the digital literacy skills needed to navigate an increasingly complex online world.

The design and atmosphere of a library also matter enormously for student wellbeing. Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) captured this beautifully, urging schools to “keep libraries as a calm, quiet place where kids can feel safe and recharge away from the stress of the classroom.” That sentiment resonates strongly at ATC. Our libraries are places where boys can work independently, collaborate with friends, seek help, enjoy quiet time, or simply feel comfortable in a space that is safe, supportive and welcoming.

Positioned alongside the peaceful Brisbane River, Westcourt Library in particular, offers a serene backdrop that enhances the sense of calm, focus and wellbeing our library spaces provide for students each day.

Here at ATC, we believe a reading culture fostered by a strong school library matters so much. As the Australian Coalition for School Libraries stated in 2024, “Reading for enjoyment plays an essential role in developing literacy. Being able to read is necessary; but wanting to read is also important for lifelong literacy.” At ATC, this is something we see every day: when boys can find books that genuinely interest them, when they feel comfortable in the library, and when they are encouraged to browse, borrow and read widely, their confidence and engagement as readers grows.

At Ambrose Treacy College, we are proud that both Mt Sion Library and Westcourt Library continue to be vibrant and valued parts of College life. Whether boys are choosing their next great read, building research skills, citing sources for an assessment, playing cards with friends, completing homework in a study space, or simply enjoying a quiet moment in a welcoming environment, our libraries are helping to shape them not only as students, but as readers, thinkers and young men.

Rebecca Scott

Head of Library Services