STAFF BLOG: 'Our library is the hub of the school'

RGS librarian DEBBIE PEACH explains how staff strive to make our library the heart and soul and joy and pride of the school

We like to think the library is the hub of the school at Ripon Grammar. 

Phillip Pullman said: "The library should be the heart, the soul, the mind, the source, the spring, the gold-bearing seam, the engine room, the treasure chamber, the priceless inheritance, the joy and the pride of the school.” Whilst we have not necessarily achieved this amazing vision, it is certainly one we strive for. 

It is a very busy hub, providing not just a wide range of fiction and factual books, but also computers, printing and photocopying, proofreading, listening, guidance and help on a wide range of things.

The library is staffed by a library manager and a library assistant and is open before and after school, and at break and lunchtime for all students, so there is a librarian available at all times and, very occasionally, two! 

On an average day we can have around 60 to 70 students in the library at lunchtime, demonstrating that it is a popular place to be. It is also available during lesson times for sixth form students who have free periods and wish to study. 

Many teachers will also book the library for a lesson and bring a class in to research a particular topic using the computers and the books, or to do some reading for pleasure.

As well as the main school library there is also a Learning Resource Centre which is part of the Sixth Form Centre. This is a silent work area for sixth form students and has computers and tables for studying, a number of reference books and information relating to careers and the extended project qualification (EPQ). Students who work better in silence can choose to work here. Those who prefer a bit of background noise and want to be able to collaborate with others gravitate to the main library in their study periods.

We constantly encourage reading for pleasure and work closely with the English department on a range of reading challenges. 

We try to find new and interesting ways to display books in order to encourage reading. Our recent 'Blind Date with a Book' has been particularly popular. We also run various competitions and quizzes with a literary theme. 

The role of a school librarian is varied – on a day-to-day basis you deal with what comes through the door, whatever that may be.

  • Helping with computing and printing queries
  • Finding specific books or suggesting books to read
  • Finding lost items – water bottles, bags, pencil cases
  • Working out where students are meant to be if they are not sure
  • Helping teachers find resources
  • Talking to students who seem stressed or out of sorts for any reason
  • Providing guidance and help on a range of subjects
  • Proofreading personal statements or EPQs for sixth formers
  • Generally being someone who listens when needed

As well as books we have access to a range of digital resources, having established that students generally prefer to do their research online. There are digital A-level review magazines covering many of the A-level subjects, although we do still encourage students to use books as well. They can access the digital resources from any of the computers in school.

We have various lunchtime activities when time allows, such as wellbeing crafts, a book group which shadows the Carnegie Book Awards, as well as quizzes, colouring, and bookmark-making and other crafts. 

To celebrate World Book Day last year, we asked students to design their own hat to represent a book. To celebrate Roald Dahl Day they were encouraged to invent their own words, including the meaning. 

In the past the library has been transformed into Diagon Alley to celebrate Harry Potter Night.

We aim to make the library a calm, inclusive, safe haven for all. It may not always be calm but it is certainly safe, inclusive and fun!