The Library is central to the School, an extensive and popular resource designed to support and stimulate teaching and learning. Recently refurbished, it is a light, airy space ideal for quiet study or relaxing with a good book.
The non-fiction stock reflects curriculum subjects but also includes material for leisure reading. Resources include books, journals, newspapers and online databases. Useful links and articles are collated by the Librarian on the Library and relevant department pages of Firefly.
A well-used fiction area caters for all tastes and ages, from classics old and new to the latest prize winners and ‘must reads’. Girls are encouraged to write reviews and suggest new titles. Reading for learning and enjoyment is always promoted, with regular displays, competitions and booklists.
The web-based Library catalogue, Oliver, is available from home and can be accessed from the home page of Firefly.
Pupils are encouraged to develop the information research skills they need to become critical thinkers and independent learners, both at school and in the worlds of higher education and work. Teachers regularly bring classes into the Library to undertake research or to choose books, while sixth formers study here during free periods. Twenty-eight networked computers are available for research purposes, and both printing and photocopying facilities are available.
“Knowledge is useless if you don’t even know where to begin to look. How much more can you discover when someone can point you in the right direction, when someone can maybe even give you a treasure map, to places you may not have even thought you were allowed to go? This is what librarians do.”Patrick Ness, author and Carnegie Medal winner, 2011