We all know reading is good for our brains and our mental health. And we all know prioritising wellbeing is key to surviving this thing called working in a school.
So when our deputy approached me last year to run a reading for wellbeing session at the start of the new year, I’d love to say I jumped at the opportunity with enthusiasm and gratitude. In reality, I might have said a reluctant ‘sure’, wrote it in my to-do list for later and got back to the massive pile of marking and managing the ongoing disaster of the leaking junior library that I was dealing with (what can I say, the exhaustion was real).
But the chance to speak with staff during our first week back in the professional development days about reading and wellbeing really was an incredible opportunity.
I approached the whole thing pretty casually, as I knew most staff had their minds on planning for the year ahead and settling back into classrooms. The session was open to all staff, teaching and non-teaching. It was a great chance to offer a time for people to connect with each other, enjoy the library surrounds and maybe find a good book to read.
Snacks were definitely a priority. My library tech and I both baked to provide a light morning tea. I used my go-to chocolate cake recipe from Recipe Tin Eats and I can’t recommend it highly enough. One bowl, no beating required, and flawless results every time? Yes please.
We started with a short and informal presentation about reading. I spoke about the benefits of reading for wellbeing, using graphics from Australia Reads to highlight how reading can aid sleep and reduce stress. I also spoke about my own current inability to read due to being overwhelmed. I spoke about the different types of reading, different formats and the importance of finding that time for reading for pleasure, while also understanding that it doesn’t always fit into our lives or days and how we can try to make time for it but also be kind to ourselves when we don’t quite manage to achieve what we intend to.
I spoke about the importance of modelling reading and how sharing what we are reading with our students, either verbally or via posters in our offices or classrooms, can make a big impact.
I then shared an overview of the library platform, much like I do with students. How to find the platform, how to search for books, how to request a book purchase, how to access ebooks and audiobooks. Finally we discussed maybe restarting a book club and outlined the options for the rest of the session.
I really wanted people to have the chance to catch up, chat and just take a moment in the busy day. I also knew that over complicating it or having set activities might not work as people might be reluctant to engage. So I offered choice.
Wandering around and browsing and borrowing was the main option, giving people a chance to just enjoy the space and explore the collection like they might not have done before.
I also asked people to chat, share what they might have been reading over the holiday break.
I put out some “what I’ve been reading”posters I made on Canva, along with pens incase people wanted to sit and get creative.
I also created a book bingo page.
We spread out a range of new staff fiction, teacher reference and cooking and wellbeing resources for people to browse. This collection has carefully been curated by the #AmazingLibraryTech I have the privilege to work with. She is the go-to source for staff reads and recommendations.
The majority of people just enjoyed the time to browse and borrow and we had quite a few staff borrow for the first time.
As expected, no one really wanted to engage in the activities, but the time for people to stop, connect and enjoy the space was valued. Staff who didn’t attend the session have said they heard it was great and have asked me to run another one, so I need to make that a priority.