NSW State Library launches free after-school club for curious kids
11/7/2023
‘The future belongs to the curious. – Anonymous”
Curious kids will discover new worlds to explore when the State Library of NSW today launches its most inventive creative community called Atlas.
According to NSW State Librarian John Vallance:
“Curious minds are always at home in libraries. Kids hate being patronised and told what to think. What better way of encouraging them than to give them a safe place where they can let loose their imaginations and learn.”
Developed with the support of the Jibb Foundation, Atlas is a free junior membership program for 5 to 15-year-olds which comprises three clubs: Art Club, Young Writers Club and Book Lovers Club.
“Atlas has been designed to get even more young people across the state and beyond drawing, writing, thinking, exploring, building, crafting and playing through fun and
interactive online sessions, led by specialist Library staff, with special guest appearances by authors and illustrators,” says Dr Vallance.
Atlas is named after the resilient figure in Greek mythology who had to support the skies, and members of the club will be sorted into ‘Moon Guilds’. Find out if you smile like an Ionian or are as resilient as a Callistan.
Each club which makes up Atlas meets regularly during school term from 4 pm to 5 pm, and members can choose to participate in as many or as few sessions as they like.
Additional activities are available on a dedicated website for young people to enjoy at any time.
In addition to these regular online get-togethers, a series of special member-only events will be held online and at the Library where members will get to enjoy new experiences created just for them.
“If you’re a budding artist or historian, an enthusiastic reader or someone who loves to write stories, Atlas is for you,” says Pauline Fitzgerald, head of the Library’s Learning team.
“We think it’s the best club around because you’ll become part of a community of curious young people and equally curious teachers who together explore the Library’s weird and wonderful collections,” she says.
As an added bonus, members can opt to have their work published on the State Library’s website.
Atlas is open to young people anywhere in the world. Members aged 5 to 15 years from NSW will receive a free welcome pack filled with fun things to do.
Atlas has been created within strict e-Safety protocols and all new members will require a parent or guardian to register on their behalf.
Join Atlas here:
atlas.sl.nsw.g
