Library
The school library - open for reading, learning and discovering
The school library is the heart of the school, which itself has learning at its core and good libraries can empower the learner. The resources in a library can allow our imaginations to run free, introduce us to new experiences and promote access to knowledge and enjoyment. (School libraries: making a difference, DfES, 2004)
The school Library is for all members of the school, and is managed by Mrs Barbara Hickford, MCLIP. Students use the library for homework, research, quiet study, or choosing a book to read. Years 7 and 8 come in regularly each week; older students use the library for study, and at other times subject groups will come in to use the books and computers.
What’s the Library like?
The Library is a spacious and light area for individual study, classes or small groups. Often a quiet place to study, but sometimes buzzing with activity – visits by authors, book fairs, book swaps and quizzes are some of the events which take place here.
Well-stocked with books - fiction, non-fiction and reference, as well as periodicals, there is also a suite of computers, which have access to the school network with Office software and the internet. A user-friendly library catalogue can be accessed from any computer in school. With plenty of space for independent study there is also a dedicated study area for VI formers with the books and periodicals needed to support their studies, and a careers section kept up to date by a careers teacher.
What happens in the Library?
Years 7 & 8 come to Library every week, and follow a programme of progressive library and information skills to become familiar with how the Library works and how to find information. Sometimes teachers will bring in classes to use the books and computers for research or reading material, and these sessions are planned together to help support pupils' independent study by effective use of the library.
Younger pupils each have a personal reading challenge, a Reading Olympics. Allowing browsing time to choose books is so important and we also recommend books to each other in Library lessons. Reading Suggestions are issued regularly and many lists by genre are available. Students have time to explore online Book Choosers, which are linked from Mrs Hickford’s blog.
Library activities include:
· Reading clubs