Library / Learning Resource Centre

The Library/Learning Resource Centre is situated on the ground floor of the Glendale Building and is a relatively new part of the building, completed in 2011.

Facilities include 35 study places, 20 computer workstations, 2 colour printers, a black & white photocopier and a laminator. In addition to the study seating there are comfortable armchairs and sofa-style seating for a further 30 students.

All Sixth Form groups have timetabled library lessons throughout the day, but the library is also open to all students before school, at break-time, lunch-time and after school on weekdays. Most year 7 English classes have regular timetabled library study periods for either quiet reading or a library lesson.

Library/LRC opening hours are from 8am to 4pm on weekdays, when Ms Brownlie, the librarian is available to help with researching and finding information and books, as well as using the basic computing skills.

After School Prep is held in the library daily, and it allows students to do their homework or personal study in a quiet, working environment. Students in all years are welcome, and there are always several members of teaching and support staff available to help students if required.

Prep times are from 3.10pm to 7pm daily except Friday, when it ends at 4pm.  A free light meal is provided to students who are still working at 5.15pm from Monday to Thursday.

Joining the Library/LRC

All incoming Year 7 and Sixth Form students starting at the school in September are automatically enrolled as library members, and will find their library number printed of a sticker at the back of their first journal.  Students who join the school at other times of the year can quickly and easily join the library by asking a member of library staff to register them.

We make contact with the incoming Year 7 during their final term in Year 6. This is because parents/carers are often the most important influence on their children’s reading and we want to work in partnership with them from the beginning. A reading list aimed at their age range is included in the Welcome Pack, which is given to families on our Induction Day during the summer term.  It includes some books which are also available as e-books through membership of Haringey Public Libraries, and these can be downloaded from anywhere – great for holiday reading!

 Books on the year 7 reading list can also be found and borrowed from the two carousels nearest the library counter.

Borrowing Rules:

Most books in the library can be borrowed for 14 days, and can be renewed up to three times. If a book is overdue it must be brought into the library for renewal. A small number of books have a reference sticker and these cannot usually be borrowed, but some can be issued overnight or for the weekend – please ask if you’d like to do this!

Students with overdue books cannot borrow any more items until overdue books are returned or renewed. 

We always welcome suggestions for new books – please ask if there are any books you’d like which we don’t already have.  Donations to the library are also welcome!

Behaviour in the Library/LRC

The library is a popular, busy working area within the school, but it is primarily used for study, research and homework. Many students use it to complete homework tasks before school, at break time, lunch time and after school during PREP. All students must follow these rules:

1. Students should conduct themselves in an appropriate manner whilst in the Library LRC and show respect towards staff, Library Leaders and other students at all times.
2. Noise should be kept to minimum, so as not to disturb other library users who are studying or working.  
3. No food or drink is allowed in the library, with the exception of a bottle of water (no other drinks) for Sixth Form students during timetabled study lessons.
4. The computers should only be used for homework or private study.  Playing computer games is not allowed!
5. Students must treat the Library LRC resources with respect.  Please remember, they have been provided to assist your education!

Library collections:

Fiction:

The main Fiction section is shelved by the first three letters of the author surname, and arranged in an alphabetical (A-Z) sequence.  For example, Benjamin Zephaniah would be filed under 'ZEP' and Suzanne Collins would be field under 'COL'. They are shelved in the middle area of the library, around the pillars. In addition to this, we also have several sub-sections of fiction:  Graphic Novels, Short Stories, Picture Books and Foreign Language Fiction (with books currently in Catalan, Chinese, Dutch, Estonian, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian and Spanish).

We have picture books for young children, books for older children, teen fiction and adult fiction, so please feel free to come and have a look! Many of the books have stickers showing what type of genre they, so if you enjoy thrillers or sci-fi, for example, it’s easy to find those books.  If you are unsure where a particular book is, or need help choosing a book please feel free to ask.

Non-Fiction:

Our non-fiction section is organised by the Dewey Decimal Classification System (000 – 999), the same system which is used at your local Public Library. There is a blue ‘Find It’ poster on the wall near the periodicals rack which lists the main subject areas, and we have a booklet which explains where the different categories of books are in more detail.  

If you need help to find a book about a particular subject you can also search the library catalogue or simply ask a member of staff.  The main Non-Fiction sequence starts at ‘001’ and runs through to ‘999’, but we also have a separate Staff Reference Library, Careers and Further Education Library and Games Reference Library.  Non-Fiction books are factual, so the books in this area are a great way of finding out about a topic.  The information is reliable, many books are well-illustrated and great for project work, and they are written for students of all age groups.

Information Literacy

Information literacy is knowing when and why we need information, where to find it, and how to evaluate (decide if it is what you are looking for, and it’s true), then be able to use it effectively.  It is an important skill to learn, because not only do we use it in school, but also in our everyday lives.

Everyone can find information on the internet, but it can be hard to find exactly what you are looking for, and to know if it is factually correct.  As pupils move up the school they will increasingly do research as part of their homework as well as personal research, so it is important they learn how to assess and use information. Any pupil who needs help can speak to Ms Brownlie, and/or read the booklet 'Information Literacy and Research Skills', which is available in the Library.

Reading for Pleasure

At St Thomas More School we believe that reading for pleasure is extremely important

Students have access to a wide range of fiction and non-fiction books in the library, where they can browse, request, borrow and ask for help finding books.  There are author visits throughout the school year and we take part in World Book Day annually. 

School shop

There is a small school shop within the library selling all the basic stationery items required, including A4 lined pads, plastic pockets and wallets, coloured pencils and pens, glue sticks, HB pencils, highlighter pens, pens, pencil cases, project files, protractors, rulers, scientific calculators, scissors and USB memory sticks.

KS4 Suggested Reading List

KS4 Suggested Reading List