The Library is a modern, welcoming, and highly flexible facility at the heart of learning in the college. The Librarian, Library Assistant and Homework Club Leader are always happy to assist students and staff.

All new students, including sixth formers, attend library induction sessions. Students’ information literacy and study skills are further developed throughout their time in college through core skills and subject lessons held in the library. The library staff work closely with teachers during these lessons.

Opening hours             8.30-4.30pm during term-time

Homework Club           3.20pm-4.30pm

Stock

• Over 10,000 books and audio-visual materials to support both the curriculum and reading for pleasure.

• A wide variety of magazines, journals, newspapers and e-publications.

• All stock is constantly reviewed and refreshed to ensure that it meets current needs.

Loans

• Years 7-11 may borrow 2 books at any one time.

• Sixth Formers may borrow 4 books at any one time.

Computers in the library

• 12 networked computers, all bookable.

• The library catalogue may be searched from any computer in the College and from home via Moodle.

Reading promotion 2008-2009

• Year 7 Reading Challenge.

• Books ‘n’ Blogs Group for Years 7, 8 & 11, courtesy of Devon School Library Service.

• Reading Groups for Years 7, 8 amp; 9.

• Attractive displays around the library.

• World Book Day competitions and activities.

• Two author visits by Luisa Plaja.

• Participation in the area Carnegie Shadowing Event organised by Devon School Library Service.

Year 7 Library Club

• Meets one lunch break per week. Activities include board games, quizzes, word games, origami, knitting, making greetings cards and Christmas decorations, and writing limericks.

Gambian Library Link Group

• Established four years ago to develop relations with Farafenni Senior Secondary School Library in The Gambia. Members are currently in Year 10 and write regularly to their Farafenni penfriends.

• This year the group raised c £200 to pay for a newspaper and a science journal for the school by holding a cake stall and a book stall.

Support for Sixth Formers

• Sixth formers are very welcome to use the library at any time for private study and may book computers in advance by email, phone or in person. The librarians are always willing to help students to find information and can provide guidance on wider reading. Many of our journals are particularly suitable for post-16 studies and the library also stocks a good range of revision guides.

A Stunning Facility
Report by Valerie Richards
Link Governor for the library

The library is bright, airy and very user friendly.  It contains a large, up to date selection of books, computers and a pleasant workspace for students.  The mezzanine floor contains computers and has a large area where a complete class can work together.  I observed a Year 7 class working in groups in a Core Skills lesson, using books and the internet to research their topics. 

When classes are booked in for a research session, the library staff ensure that reference material for the topic is readily available.

There is a working link between Newton Abbot Library and the College Library.    The Newton Abbot Children’s Librarian was in the College to take part in a World Book Day event.

Student volunteers help in the library at break and lunchtimes.  They are enthusiastic; they enjoy feeling they are part of a team and their help is greatly valued.

Year 7 students have two valuable induction sessions early on in the term which ensure that everyone is very comfortable using the resources available. 

The librarian also works with subject teachers and gives tutorials on more advanced and specific topics such as setting up databases and referencing.

Year 9 students use computers for research but also search reference sections of the library for information.  Book extracts are made available to them to aid their studies.   They are using the library more, looking at books, journals and newspapers for research.  Students’ work has improved as a result. 

Year 10 and 11 students are mainly using the computers for researching their coursework. 

Years 12 and 13 are utilising the library a great deal more for study purposes and for research.  Although all students are welcome, difficulty sometimes arises over computer availability.