School Spotlight: Tooleybuc Central School, NSW

At Tooleybuc Central School, a small rural school with 117 students, reading has taken on a new energy thanks to the introduction of brand-new books through our Library Regeneration Program.

Through the program, more than 350 new books were provided to refresh and expand the school’s library collection, giving students access to a wider range of engaging, contemporary, and high-interest titles.

For many students, this has already made a noticeable difference in their reading habits and attitudes.

One Year 7 student, who previously rarely borrowed books, discovered a graphic novel series from the new collection. That single moment of interest sparked a rapid shift in engagement. He went on to read the entire series within weeks. Since then, he has become a regular visitor to the library, returning weekly and confidently recommending books to his peers.

His experience reflects a broader change occurring across the school.

Teachers and library staff have observed a clear increase in borrowing rates, with students actively choosing to read during breaks and seeking out new titles independently. Reluctant readers have responded strongly to the refreshed collection, especially to visually engaging formats such as graphic novels and high-interest fiction.

For a small rural school, access to updated and relevant reading material is making a meaningful difference, not only in literacy outcomes, but in confidence, curiosity, and enjoyment of reading.