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USC students to help community literacy
University of the Sunshine Coast Education students will hone their teaching skills while helping regional children as part of the National Simultaneous Storytelling initiative.
The student volunteers will join Sunshine Coast Libraries in a bid to boost literacy and a love of books by reading aloud to primary school students.
Libraries staff from Sunshine Coast Regional Council will introduce the project to USC students during lectures in Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship at The J, Noosa Junction, on Monday 6 September.
USC Lecturer Dr Retha de Villiers Scheepers said she expected the project to be popular with Education students aiming to become primary teachers.
It will also be open to Arts or Business students from the USC Noosa Centre.
“The libraries promote reading to young people through storytelling and we’re encouraging University students to get involved in this social entrepreneurial venture,” she said. “Giving back to the community is a wonderful experience.”
Dr de Villiers Scheepers expects the project to be personally satisfying for USC students as well as complement their course work.
The next National Simultaneous Storytelling initiative, run by the Australian Library and Information Association, will be held in early 2011.
— Julie Gatehouse