Page 35 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • November 2003 35
Homework club for kids and parents in the library

North Swindon Library is the staff are able to assist in the scheme.
venue for an interesting experi- "This is another way to show peo-
ment to get parents more closely ple the wide range of facilities that
involved with their children's exist in the library and how it is
learning and, perhaps, develop possible to get so much out of
their own skills at the same time. them," she pointed out.
Swindon Learning Partnership, The club is a drop-in session on
with the support of the library staff, Wednesday afternoons, 4.30pm to
has established a SOKS club - Sup- 7.30pm.
porting Our Kids - so that parents
and carers and children can learn Top 100 in stock
and share skills and experiences in Swindon libraries service have the
a positive and enjoyable atmos-
top 100 books nominated across
phere.
Hilary Stiles with two of her three children who attend SOKS, Chris and Sarah, Britain for the BBC Big Read at
Liz Lovell from Moredon said
with from left, Gilli Brookes-Palmer, Jackie Crowther and Maggie Brennan Central, West and North Swindon
she visited the library with her son
branches.
to look for a book and was asked if Ten year old Chris, who attends ment, but she was very pleased Three more sets of the top 21 nov-
he would like to search the internet Tregoze Primary School, con- with the response and the interest els, now being aired by Clive
for the information he needed. She firmed, "I look forward to doing shown by the families. "We were Anderson, have been purchased
and her children have returned my homework in the library." unsure how a homework club for for Highworth, Wroughton and
each week. "We are not connected SOKS tutor Maggie Brennan both children and parents would Moredon.
to the internet at home yet, so it from New College was delighted work out, but it has taken off and Votes for the nation's most popu-
was good to be able to use the to see families return to the club there is room for more. We will be lar work of fiction can be made
computers without charge and since its launch in mid-September. evaluating the project after the ini- online and also from any of the
have somebody on hand to guide "It has been fascinating watching tial 12 weeks and hope to restart in People's Network computers in a
us. The children have been saving the children researching such a the New Year." library.
up their homework to do it in the wide range of topics," she said. As well as the qualified family
library," she said. "Although I am here to help both learning and IT tutors available,
Former West Swindon resident parents and children broaden their library staff assist in locating re- Where to find Fairtrade
Hilary Stiles from Braydon near IT skills, I find I am helping the sources. Internet access is free and A new edition of the Wiltshire
Purton, said the library was con- children with specific queries, so is printing and photocopying. Fairtrade Directory was launched
venient to reach and the standard whilst the adults observe and give Library membership is necessary, in late October.
of the facilities was attractive. "I support later if required." but is easily obtained - parents need The Fairtrade logo shows that
work with computers all day at Jackie Crowther, Family Learn- to bring in some ID showing their the producers will receive a mini-
Nationwide, but it's great for both ing Co-ordinator at the Swindon current address. mum price for their goods.
children to be able to use the com- Learning Partnership, acknowl- Library manager Gilli Brookes- Call Lynn Forrester on 466167 to
puters at the same time." edged that the project is an experi- Palmer is pleased that she and her find out where to obtain a copy.

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