Our school is steeped in history and none more so than our wonderful library. It is one of the oldest parts of the school with a long and varied history, having been the school hall, dining room, and staff room (or Masters’ lounge, as it was known!)

Mrs Baugh and Mrs Rushton endeavour to create a welcoming, safe, and fun environment for all students who come to HBS. They are members of CILIP, the librarians’ professional body, and part of the North Herts Schools Librarians’ Group who meet regularly to share support, ideas, and resources.

From Year 7 through to Year 13, we offer all of our students support to find books for reading for pleasure, research, and homework, we also assist with study skills, and technical support.

The library isn’t just a place to read or work, it provides a safe space for many students who just want to escape the hurly burly. There is a warm sense of community amongst the regular library users, and older students will always offer help to younger students in need.

For students who are dyslexic, or who are not confident with reading, the library has a range of books that they can enjoy without being faced with a sea of text. We have an ever expanding graphic novel section with titles ranging from Marvel and D.C. superheroes to the Brontes and Shakespeare. There is a wide range of books from Barrington Stoke, a publisher that specialises in dyslexia friendly books, including full texts of dyslexia friendly Christmas Carol, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Animal Farm, and Of Mice and Men. You can find out more about them here: https://www.barringtonstoke.co.uk/

Throughout the year there are competitions, quizzes, and whole school events such as World Book Day and book fairs.

The library hosts a number of thriving clubs: Warhammer, Dungeons and Dragons, and the BBC (Brilliant Book Club). Throughout the year there are also opportunities to participate in the Carnegie, Excelsior! (graphic novel), and North Herts Schools’ Book Awards, all of which give the students the opportunity to contribute their opinions, and in some cases their vote.

There is a team of enthusiastic team of Student Librarians, our ‘Library Champions’, who help us to develop ideas and activities and to promote the library around the school.

Our library management system, Accessit, is so much more than a database, it is also a useful research tool and a way for students to communicate with the library wherever they are. You can explore it for yourself here: https://uk.accessit.online/htc02/#!dashboard

BOOKBUZZ

Early in the new school year, every student in year 7 will be able to choose a book completely free from a selection provided by the Book Trust as part of their Bookbuzz programme. You can find out more about The Book Trust, including information about Bookbuzz and reading lists, here: https://www.booktrust.org.uk/

Year 7 students are encouraged to make full use of the library which is open between 9.00am - 4.30pm Monday to Thursday and 9.00am – 3.30pm on a Friday including break and lunchtime.

Finally, here are just a few things that some of our students have to say about their library:

”It’s a safe and comfortable place where everyone is welcome and there are lots of books for everyone.”(Jack)

“We are surrounded by books, books, books. What’s not to like?” (Zach)

“The librarians are friendly and helpful.” (Lucas)

“It’s a great place to go when you’re bored, there are clubs and you can do homework with your friends.” (Kieron)

“It’s a peaceful place with 1000s of books to choose from, and limitless opportunities.”(Seb)

“It has a sense of hospitality that is not quite like anywhere else.”(Joe)

“It allows you to live different lives, and you can learn almost anything from a book.”(Jamie)

You can follow us on Twitter to see what we’re up to, and to read interesting articles that we find @HBSLibrary.