Student donates resources to USQ Library

University of Southern Queensland (USQ) Springfield campus student Errin Attard has come up with a novel way to make purchasing study resources easier for students while donating valuable books and study aids to the University's library at the same time.

Errin has started a book club to help USQ students order discounted books through the Scholastic book program, normally used by primary schools and childcare centres to raise funds to purchase education supplies.

The Bachelor of Education (Primary and Middle School) second year student said she came up with the idea of creating the Scholastic book club when she couldn't find a book she wanted for her assignment.

'I was looking for fairytale books and there were none available, so I began to wonder if there was a way I could help make more resources available,' Errin said.

'I had set up Scholastic book ordering at my kindergarten and found it to be a great way to purchase books and resources for the centre, so I thought it could also help USQ students and the library.

'It started out as quite a small project, but has really taken off - I think we are one of the first universities to order through Scholastic.'

Through Errin's efforts the book club has now donated more than $400 worth of resources to the USQ library.

'As the coordinator of the club I earn reward and bonus points from students ordering their own books.

'I then donate those points to the library so they can choose which resources to purchase, taking into account which are in most demand.

'Students are also able to have a say in what is ordered by the library.'

When her degree is finished Errin hopes to work as a full-time teacher in the local area.

'I would really like to find work in the Ipswich area, particularly in primary education. Teaching is definitely the career for me.'

Media Contact:  Jo-Ann Sparrow, USQ Media, +61 7 3470 4119 or 0428 102 979