School Library

O.P.G.S. LIBRARY

Membership

All students and staff at Oakwood Park Grammar School are members of the Library. By borrowing books and materials they agree to return the books on time and in good condition.

Opening Times

Every school day 8.30am – 3.25 pm

Years 7 – 11 students may use the Library at morning break,

10.50 am – 11.10 am and lunchtime 1.10 pm – 1.50 pm.

They may use the Library for research and to exchange their library books during lesson time with permission from their teacher.

Sixth Form students may use the Library throughout the school day for private study.

Using the Library

Students are asked to respect the right of others requiring to use the Library as a silent study area. Please enter the library quietly, without talking and behave sensibly in the Library so as not to disrupt other students. The Librarian and student librarians are available to help with research enquiries and finding books. Please ask if help is needed.

Students are encouraged to find information for themselves. Year 7 students receive a library induction lesson in conjunction with the English Department. This will provide an opportunity for new students to find out how to use the library for research and how to borrow books. Time is provided to explore the range of fiction books available for personal reading.

There is seating available for 34 students at tables and 5 at computer workstations.

Photocopying of short, carefully selected items from reference material can be arranged by the Librarian.

Learning Resources

O.P.G.S. Library catalogue can be viewed on a ' read only ' basis at Click on logo for school library catalogue

Books are catalogued using the Dewey Decimal System as a basis but adapted to suit the curriculum as taught in the school. Resources are suggested by staff and students. The Librarian ensures there is a well balanced selection of up to date resources within the budget available.

Resources: ( October 2007 )

Books, CD-Roms, videos, audio cassettes:

Non-Fiction Books 5,000 items

Reference Only 600 items

Fiction Books 2,200 items

Orange stickers on book spines indicate resources more suitable for Years 7 and 8

Daily Newspapers:

The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, The Independent,

The Times.

Weekly Newpaper:

The Kent Messenger

Subscribed Magazines:

New Scientist, Geographical, L'Express, Focus,

Sight and Sound,

Personal Computer World., National Geographic.

Free Magazines:

Flipside, ETC, Deutschland, First Car

School Networked Computers with internet access:

5 workstations

A computer booking system operates during breaktimes.

Book Lists:

To assist students with their choice of fiction books the following suggested reading lists are available from the Librarian:

Years 7 and 8 Reading Themes ( lists by genre )
" Easy Reads " " Prize Winners " " Books to Films "
Year 9 Recommended Reading
Young Adult Reading for Key Stage 4

Library Management

Library resources are managed with a computerised system, "Eclipse", supplied by Micro Librarian Systems Ltd. All resource items are identified by a barcoded label and recorded in the library catalogue. Library users have their own borrower number accessed by either the fingerprint recognition system or barcoded library card. The fingerprint recognition system records one finger as digital information not as a image. The Department for Education and Skills has no data protection concerns as a result of using this technology in school libraries.

Loan Periods:

Students are allowed to borrow up to 4 books for a maximum of 3 weeks. Books may be renewed for a further 3 weeks provided that there are no reservations made on the items. A few items are available on a 3 day issue basis only. Reference books are for use only in the library.

Each student or member of staff is responsible for books or materials issued to them. If an item is lost or damaged, the borrower will be asked for a contribution towards the cost of replacement.

Overdue Library Books:

Students are expected to check when the items they have borrowed are due back. Reminder notes are issued periodically through tutor groups. Overdue items will incur a fine of 5p per item per day with allowances made for holidays and absence at the discretion of the Librarian.

Reservations

Library users can make reservations for items out on loan.

Web Links

Kent County Council Library Catalogue: