Welcome to the Library/ LRC
(Learning Resources Centre)
The LRC is the place to come if you enjoy reading, exploring your hobbies and interests, if you want to do schoolwork or research in comfortable calm surroundings, read today’s newspapers, or a host of other library-based activities.
We have books to suit everyone, new and classic fiction for all ages, information books for your studies and your outside interests. The computers extend these resources, and are available for coursework and research at lunch and break.
There are also 2 CD ROM computers which are kept for Careers information, Encarta Encyclopaedia, Scrabble, and Board Games.
As with all the computers, you need to check with the Librarian first that it’s ok to use them.
The Library/LRC is open all day for you, from 8.00am, so you can visit before registration, morning break, lunch break, and after school. It often gets very busy here, and sometimes you have to wait quietly outside – be patient!
Borrowing books is easy. You need your 4 digit PIN card, which you are given at the start of year 7 (a reminder is issued at the start of year 8). Books are issued through a computerized system so bring them to the desk for issuing and also for return!
Overdue reminders are sent to students who forget to bring books back, and eventually one is sent home to parents/guardian if you keep on forgetting.
Once or twice a year, we have a ‘Book Fair’ in the library, when cases full of new books are brought here for you to browse and buy. It’s usually quite a lively event!
Also, probably twice a term, the Book Club leaflets are given out, and students can order new books for themselves this way.
The best way to find out about the Library/LRC is to come here and have a look round!
Policy
The Library/ LRC is a resource base primarily for students in years 7 to 11.
The aim of the LRC is to provide a calm study area where students and staff can access a wide range of resources, can read or work quietly, in an environment where every user is expected to respect each other’s right to do this.
The resources are selected using a variety of criteria ; student suggestion and recommendation, staff requests, School Library Association book reviews, and publisher’s and bookshop promotions.
It is felt important that reading resources which fulfill students’ demands be available, but also that new authors and genres are offered to readers. Promotion of new resources is largely achieved by book displays in the library, or via the noticeboard.
Borrowing and cataloguing is fully computerized, which means it is fast, accurate and efficient.
The Library/LRC is open from 8.00am, and remains open throughout the school day. This enables students to use it freely before registration, at morning break and at lunchtime – however, there is limited seating and we need to encourage all users to remain ‘on task’ , and so maintain a calm, work-like environment. This means that numbers using the library at any one time are restricted to a maximum of 50, but usually 40 is a better limit for noise levels. Users are asked to observe everyone’s right to work or read without disruption, as a matter of courtesey.
Eating and drinking are not accepted in the Library, as resources are easily damaged.
The Library computers are generally reserved for students who have schoolwork assignments to complete, or are researching topics.
Lessons in the Library
- Students in years 7 and 8 have an English lesson, led by their English teacher, in the Library once a fortnight.
- In year 7 students undertake induction sessions during those lessons to help familiarise them with the library
- Other subject teachers bring classes into the library to support their subject teaching.
