Library
Head of Department: Mrs J Darkins
Welcome to the Library
The Holdgate Library exists to support the school's curriculum and to encourage independent research, with open access and information on hand. It also aims to ensure young readers have access to a wide-ranging, challenging, inspiring and balanced supply of books and information - to both educate and entertain them, through the different factual and imaginative language forms that a variety of books can provide, via information and reference texts, fiction, drama, poetry etc. All these enable knowledge, understanding and constructive thought to be developed. The Library is an integral part of the school, encouraging resource based learning and self-supported study, as well as the simple pleasure of reading. It is a whole school resource, not attached to any particular department, but serving all staff and pupils. The Holdgate Library is intended to be a pleasant environment in which pupils feel welcome and encouraged to enjoy books, reading and gathering information.
What Do We Have?
At present the Library provides free access to the following:
Fiction Loan Collection
Non-Fiction Loan Collection
Reference Collection, CD-ROMS and Resource Files
Audio Tape Collection
Video Tape Collection
Newspapers and Periodicals
Computerised Ciculation System
Computerised Stock Catalogue
Book Store for lesser used items
Dewey Decimal Classification System and Subject Index
Computer Work Stations newtworked to the school system (Currently 10 machines)
Free-standing computer to run CD-ROMs and for word processing
Two printers (1 colour))
Display areas
Study space and browsing areas
Silent study area
Reference Library
TV with Teletext, Video and DVD player
Fiction/Non-fiction Collection
Presently approximately 10,250 items are available for loan. There are separate Fiction and Non-fiction areas, and a Sixth Form Fiction Collection. Attention is being given constantly to improving and updating stock. An average of 500 books per month have been issued during the last school year, with more books used in the library for reference and quiet reading, numbers of which are not recorded.
Reference Books
This separate collection consists of approximately 200 encyclopedia, dictionaries, guides, yearbooks, maps etc, over 20 CD-ROM discs, and several Resource Files on main topics of interest/study.
DVD/Audio/Video Tape Library
A growing collection of talking books, plays, poems and educational videos and DVD's are available for loan, or to be listened to/watched in the library on the cassette player/t.v. video, or borrowed by Departments.
Newspapers and Magazines
A range of these are available for reading in the library to develop pupils interest in current affairs, supply up-to-date information and practice in reading foreign languages. The number of modern foreign language books and magazines subscribed to has increased further this year, and are located within the foreign language area of the Library, creating a 'Modern Languages Reading Area'.
Computer Workstations
Computers, CD-Roms and printers are available for general use. These are in constant use during lunchtimes and regularly throughout the school day, used by all years and also by staff. Lesson periods are booked by small classes. All the computers have word processing packages and graphics, and have access to the internet.
Study Space
The main library seats 40, plus 12 at the computers, and is intended as a browsing/working area. It is kept reasonably quiet, but pupils are actively encouraged to come in and see what is on offer. A separate Fiction Library with low level seating and coffee-type tables can accommodate 8 readers, facilitating comfortable and bright reading space. It is intended to be a pleasant 'place to be'. The separate Reference Library seats 8 for working and is kept as a silent study area, but may be transformed into a 'cinema-style' video viewing room when required. It is bookable for lesson periods, seating up to 15 for viewing. All rooms are attractively laid out, comfortable, well lit and kept orderly.
Library Catalogue and Circulation
The library stock is controlled by a computerised circulation system. All the stock has been entered, classified under the Dewey Decimal Classification System, and also keyworded for easy access. The pupils have access to a second computer point to do their own catalogue searches. All issues and returns are dealt with on the main library computer, which has a bar code scanner for speed and accuracy. A constantly revised subject index is provided, and all areas of the library are clearly sign-posted and labelled for ease of location.
The library is open throughout the school day for individual study, group class use and general browsing. The Librarian and her pupil assistants are always available to give advice and assist with enquiries and pupils can develop their reading by becoming involved in the Rainbow Readers Scheme.
Rainbow Readers
The English Department recognise the central importance of reading to a pupil’s development. In Years 7 and 8 (and optionally for year 9) one period of English is spent in the Library each week when students engage in independent reading. In order to focus this time, the ‘Rainbow Reading Scheme’ has been devised and was introduced in September 2003.
You may complete the scheme in any order, but you must begin with red. Read the book, complete the task set and you will get your coloured sticker and certificate.
RED
Read a FICTION book of YOUR CHOICE from any genre - this may be Horror, Science Fiction, Adventure, Crime, Romance, Animal, Fantasy or any other.
TASK
Write a book review using the 'Writing a Book Report' sheet for guidance. You should concentrate on giving your response to the book, not merely repeating the story. Word process this book review, and once it has been checked by your teacher it may be emailed to 'Teen Titles' magazine and may be published!
ORANGE
Read a collection of POEMS. (If the book chosen is very thick, your teacher will tell you how many you should read).
TASK
Choose your favourite poem from this collection, write it out by hand and illustrate it appropriately. You will be marked on presentation and your work may be displayed either in your classroom or in the Library.
YELLOW
Read a book of MYTHS and/or LEGENDS.
TASK
Most myths were intended to explain something or make a moral point. Think about the issues raised by a myth you read and write a short story of your own (by hand about one side long) illustrating the same point or moral.
GREEN
Read a FICTION book set in the PAST, maybe World War 2 or Roman times for example - your choice. (Suitable fiction library books have green stickers to help you choose).
TASK
Conduct an interview with one of the characters from the book, like those in teen magazines or on radio/television. Your interview should reveal something about life in the historical period you have discovered from the book. You may be the interviewer or may use someone famous as your interviewer (eg Parkinson, Richard and Judy, Blue Peter etc). Word process your interview.
BLUE
Read a NON-FICTION book of YOUR CHOICE. It may be on any topic: sport, hobbies, animals, etc.
TASK
Write a list of 20 things by hand that you have learned from reading the book about the subject chosen. This should be in full sentences, detailed and neatly presented. Include the page number of each point and a full bibliography at the bottom. It may help to take notes or points as you read the book. Your will be marked on presentation and content.
INDIGO
Read a BIOGRAPHY or DIARY, perhaps of someone you admire, or who you would like to find out about.
TASK
Write a review by hand in which you explain why you chose to read about this person, what you have learned about them from the book, and what you now think about the person and the way they have lived their life.
VIOLET
Select a book written by an author on the 'VIOLET LIST'. The book chosen must also have a violet sticker.
TASK
Write a diary entry by hand for a character from the story - can be a day, week, month, etc. Your diary should talk about how you as the character FEEL about what is happening at that point in time, not merely repeat the story.
