A primary school has transformed its library from a “bookshelf in a corridor” into an enchanting room full of stories.
After a year of fundraising pupils at Albert Pye Community Primary School, in Frederick’s Road, Beccles, finally got to see their brand new library during an opening ceremony earlier this week.
The project was spearheaded by literacy coordinator Abi Watson, who said: “Before our library was just a bookshelf in a corridor, it was not a pleasurable place for children to read.
“We wanted a place to promote engagement in reading, with no TV, no computer games, just a place for children to sit and enjoy their reading.”
Miss Watson, who also teaches the Year 6 class, explained the new library was a product of the hard work of the pupils, parents and the wider community.
She said: “We applied for grants to build the library but we didn’t get any, so we raised all the money through fundraising.”
The school raised £6,000 in under a year to make the library dream a reality.
Miss Watson said: “It led to a great sense of community, there were so many people coming forward to help.”
The teacher estimates the number of books the school can now offer pupils has quadrupled with donations coming from local business and parents through the ‘Buy a Book’ scheme.
Local authors and illustrators, Joyce and Polly Dunbar, James Mayhew and Antonio Reche-Martinez, attended the opening ceremony on Monday to share their love of storytelling and reading.
The library now boasts a ‘book nook’ for children to climb inside to read, a giant red shoe for children to sit in while they enjoy their book, and a fairytale tent for the younger children.
And it has proved an instant hit.
Miss Watson said “It’s a place the children want to go and want to be. It’s got them talking about books a lot more.
“We are looking to make it more of a community resource so people have access before and after school.
She added: “This has been a story of how the community can come together to help the children and leave a lasting legacy.”
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