Throughout the year the library shadows a number of events and literary awards. Many of the events are highlighted in displays on the shelves and walls of the Learning Centre. Here are a few of the displays from the last 12 months.
Stargazing Live
The library followed Stargazing Live, the BBC live television programme on astronomy. The programme aired on the 7th /9th of January 2014.
Safer Internet Day
Safer Internet Day took place on 11 February 2014. It is organised by Insafe in February of each year to promote safer and more responsible use of online and mobile technologies. Along with a wall display the library delivered assemblies to both the lower and upper sixth on the topic of e-safety, branded as ‘Accidental Outlaw’.
Fairtrade Fortnight
Fairtrade Fortnight was 23rd February to 4th March 2014. People were challenged to ‘stick with Foncho to make bananas fair’. Albeiro Alfonso ‘Foncho’ Cantillo is a small-scale banana farmer from Colombia who sells mostly Fairtrade produce. Sticking with Foncho meant buying only Fairtrade bananas in an attempt to ensure workers in global supply chains get a fair deal.
Aquinas College is committed to supporting and promoting Fairtrade in as many ways as possible, as part of our mission statement in which we ‘strive to be a Catholic college for the whole community’ and ‘encourage a questioning stance towards the values of our increasing secular society’. Fairtrade is about guaranteeing a better quality of life for the people of third world countries and Aquinas College believes this is important.
The Man Booker Prize for Fiction
The library shadows the Man Booker Prize for Fiction. The shortlist for the prize was announced on 9 September 2014.
Black History Month
October 2014 was Black History Month and the library showcased resources in remembrance of the people and events in the history of the African diaspora.
National Language Festival
The National Language Festival took place from 17 October 2014 through November. It is an ongoing campaign to showcase the importance of language learning in the UK.
The image on the screen formed part of a digital display for the Baileys’ Women’s Prize for Fiction #ThisBook campaign. The campaign asked readers to put forward a novel that had impacted, shaped or changed their life.
Manchester Science Festival
The Manchester Science Festival ran from 23rd October to 2nd November 2014. The library produced a number of displays in celebration of the festival including wall displays and displays on stands within the Learning Centre.
WWI Centenary
The World War One Centenary was commemorated with a wall display and a digital display highlighting relevant resources.
Six Book Challenge
The Six Book Challenge is run by the Reading Agency and takes place every year in libraries, colleges, workplaces and prisons. The Challenge invites people to choose 6 reads and review them. There is a certificate for those who complete the Challenge and a certificate for those who take part. There is also the opportunity to enter a prize draw.
Aquinas College Library 