School Library

Introduction

The main school library is situated at the rear of the school overlooking the extensive playing fields. The room is light and welcoming and is designated as a place where students can work or read in a quiet atmosphere. The library is purpose-built and can accommodate 33 students seated at tables at any one time, plus an area set aside for 7 computers, all with internet access, and a local printer. There is also an area with comfortable seating for leisure reading. A Television and video are available, and a photocopier for student use (with permission).

Facilities

The main catalogue for the library is on a computerised system newly installed in September 2004. The new system incorporates modern technology and has biometric recognition for users, eliminating the problem of lost library cards, and a web cam for taking student photos for their library record. Opac (online public access catalogue) is available throughout the school network, and via a web browser from home on the Internet. This enables students to check what resources are in the library, see if they are on loan and reserve items wherever they are. They are also able to write reviews on books, which after vetting by the Library Officer can be viewed by other library users.

The library houses over 8,000 resources, including reference, non-fiction and fiction books, together with videos, audiotapes, periodicals and some CD-ROMs. From September 2004 users of the library have paid small fines for overdue resources and the proceeds of this has been used to purchase popular DVD’s which may then be loaned free of charge by pupils.

Curriculum

The library offers a wide range of classic and contemporary fiction including prizewinning authors and titles, in a wide range of genres to encourage a breadth of reading. Non-fiction is carefully selected to cover all areas of the curriculum, as well as areas of general interest and updated on a rolling programme to ensure the information is accurate and up to date. Two daily newspapers and the three local newspapers are available within the library.

Pupils are encouraged to keep up their interest in reading by purchasing new titles from the annual Book Fair. The commission from this can be as much as 50%, taken as books for the school library. Also a bi monthly Book Club, (School link) run by Miss Evison where pupils and parents can order from a magazine with books for all ages at very competitive prices. If the school order exceeds £50 everyone receives free postage. The library also receives a 10% voucher based on sales to spend on items from future catalogues.

General

The library is the venue for the Chess Club run by 6th form students, and meetings are held each Tuesday and Wednesday from 1 – 1.30pm. The club is enthusiastically supported and our recent triumphs include County U14 Team Champions & County U19 Runners-Up. The school team enters the UK Chess Challenge International from October and the UK Chess Challenge from January. Individual players take part and have successfully reached the Mega and Gigafinals.

A structured Homework Club is held each evening except Friday from 3.45pm until 5.15pm. This is run by Mrs Bower and Miss Wright with support from 6th form students.

Due to the high usage of the library, we are always delighted to receive donations of suitable books from parents and pupils and these may be bought into school at any time.

Staff