Aims
To help pupils to:
- Find inspiration for projects
- Lose themselves in a good novel
- Discover new books by a favourite author
- Keep up-to-date with current affairs
- Catch up on homework
- Search the Internet effectively
- Develop their thinking by integrating their use of resources
- Write that essay
- Choose a DVD
- Discover new angles
- Find a quiet corner
- Dip into a magazine
To support these aims the new Hallam library was opened in September 2005, providing a modern study space. Resources include 20,000 books, over 50 periodicals, daily newspapers, audiobooks, DVDs and electronic subscriptions, along with networked computers and laptops for pupil use. Thus the Hallam library provides the resources and environment to enable pupils to read widely, study quietly and develop information literacy skills so that they become confident, discerning users of the wide range of information resources available today.
The library stock is continually updated to ensure that its range is both wide and of good quality, from books to web-based resources. Stock is selected to support the curriculum and pupils’ interests and requests; reviews in school library literature, periodicals and the media help inform these choices.
In addition to class visits, various activities run throughout the year to promote the library aims – these include reading groups, author and poet visits, Junior Café Sci meetings, shadowing the Carnegie prize for children’s literature and themed weeks involving extra activities.
The library is open between 8am and 5.30pm every weekday during term time and is managed by 3 staff, ably helped by pupil library assistants from different year groups.
