School Spotlight: Chatham Public School, NSW

When Chatham Public School in Taree applied for Dymocks Children's Charities' Library Regeneration Program, around 70% of its library collection was more than 15 years old. For the school's 229 students, many from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, access to engaging, contemporary books is an important part of building a positive relationship with reading. 

Through the program, Chatham Public School received almost 300 brand-new books, helping to refresh its library with a diverse collection of quality titles for students to enjoy. 

The school shared that many of its students had never owned a book, making access to a well-resourced school library even more valuable. Providing children with books they are excited to read encourages reading for pleasure and supports stronger literacy outcomes. 

The new collection is already making a difference, with teachers reporting increased excitement around reading and a noticeable rise in library borrowing. 

"Students have expressed excitement regarding the texts we received from Dymocks Children's Charities. We have already seen an increase in student borrowing in comparison to previous years." 

By replacing ageing collections with engaging, high-quality books, the Library Regeneration Program is helping schools like Chatham Public School create spaces where more children can discover the joy of reading and build the literacy skills they need to thrive.