Students and staff have access to well-stocked and attractive library facilities. There is a bright and friendly Junior Library for Foundation and Key Stage One and a much larger Senior Library caters for the rest of the school. We aim to meet the needs of pupils by providing books, magazines, computers and electronic resources to support the curriculum and encourage reading and research for work and pleasure. The Senior Library is staffed throughout the day and after school. Pupils may use the Library at lunchtime and after school for quiet study, recreational reading, borrowing books and using the computers. As well as running frequent competitions and challenges we also arrange visits from authors and poets when possible.
The Library facilities also have comfortable Arabian style seating areas for story-times and leisure reading. In the Senior Library, space is provided for individual study as well as class library lessons. There is Internet access and students have the use of networked computers to continue with class work or to do homework. Students visit the library every week to exchange library books and to learn about books and information and about using libraries effectively. The library staff aim to: foster a life-long love of reading, teach respect for books and equipment, teach students some of the research skills they will need throughout their school career and beyond.
LIBRARY CODE OF CONDUCT
High standards of behaviour are expected in the Library at all times. In order to enable the Library to run smoothly, Library users are asked to follow a few simple points:
The Library is a peaceful place—please use quiet voices and be considerate to other library users:-
The Quiet Reading Area is for silent reading; The Study Areas are for very quiet study; please talk in low voices and keep your conversations brief. The Library is not a playground—NO Running in the Library.
No Food, Drink or Sweets are allowed in the Library. At home please keep food and drink away from Library Books to avoid accidental damage.
Pupils should always ask for a permission note from their teacher whenever they are sent to the Library during lessons.
LIBRARY FINES
If a book has been damaged there is a minimum charge of 25sr. If the damage means that the book will have to be replaced, then a minimum fine of 50sr will be charged. If a book is lost there is a minimum fine of 50sr. If the book is found within the term it was lost, the fine will be refunded. Books that are not returned at the end of each term will incur an overdue fine. Please follow the Library Rules!
If you need help or have any questions please ask a member of staff. We are here to help you!
LIBRARY LOANS
The School Library has a variety of resources for pupils to borrow. Children choose books during their weekly class visit to the Library.
Foundation 1 & 2 Pupils may borrow 1 book per time-tabled lesson.
Years 1, 2, 3 & 4 may borrow 1 Fiction and 1 non-fiction book per time-tabled lesson.
Years 5 & 6 may borrow 1 Fiction and 2 non-fiction per time-tabled lesson.
Years 7, 8, & 9 may borrow 2 fiction and 1 non-fiction per time tabled lesson.
Years 10 & 11 may borrow up to 4 items per time tabled lesson.
(From Years 3 upwards, pupils may exchange their Library loans at Lunch break and at the After School Homework Club.
All items must be taken to the issue desk to be borrowed or returned.
When you have chosen your books, check with your teacher that they are happy with your choice. Then take your books to the Library Desk. The Librarian will issue the books to your Library Record. The books are now your responsibility. When you return your library books, please make sure you return them to the Library Desk.
Any item required for longer can be renewed. To renew your library loans please take them to the Library Issue Desk.
OVERDUE BOOKS
Any pupils who forgets to bring books back for their Library Lesson, will not be permitted to borrow new items until all previous loans have been returned.
LOST/DAMAGED LIBRARY RESOURCES
If an item is still not returned after three weeks, a letter is issued to the parents to give them the opportunity of locating the missing item. If this is unsuccessful a request for the replacement cost is issued. No further loans will be allowed until the item has either been returned or paid for. Items borrowed from the Library remain in the responsibility of the person borrowing them. Although we hope this will not happen, should items be returned in poor condition, a charge will be made.
THE LIBRARY OPAC
The OPAC is the Library Catalogue. It lists all the books, magazines, audiotapes and videos held in the library. There are 3 OPACs in the Senior Library and 1 in the Junior Library. OPAC stands for ONLINE PUBLIC ACCESS CATALOGUE.
RESERVATIONS
If a book you would like to borrow is already on loan to someone else, you can use the OPAC to reserve it, so that when the book is returned it will be kept for you to borrow. If you need help or have any questions please ask a member of staff. We are here to help you. HAPPY READING!!
JUNIOR LIBRARY
All children from Foundation One to Year 2 visit the Junior Library once a week to browse and borrow books. We hope that by having access to a welcoming and well stocked Library will foster a life long love of reading. Children have a wide choice of Fiction and Non-Fiction books to borrow from and are quick to learn the difference between the two genres. The visit is rounded off with a magical story from the Story Chest, which often reflects topics that they are studying in the Class Room or the School’s Monthly Value theme.
SENIOR LIBRARY
The Senior Library caters for students from Year 3 to Year 11. Like the Junior Library, it’s aims are to foster a life long love of reading, along with providing a welcoming environment in which to study..
Each Year 3 and Year 4 pupil now has their own Library Skills Work Book that reiterate the Library Lesson covered each week during their Class visit to the Library. Library Lessons introduce the fundamental skills required to make good use of libraries now and beyond.
As well as their weekly visit to the Library, teachers can bring their pupils to the Senior Library for additional research throughout the week. The Senior Library is also open at Lunch Time and from 2.40-3.40 for a Homework Club for all Key Stage 2,3 & 4 Children, where children can carry out research on the Internet, do homework or to just chill out with a good book.
Library Volunteers are very important to the Library and is very lucky in that not only have we some super parent volunteers who come and work behind the scenes, but also Pupil Volunteers who come to the Library at 2nd Break to help. If you would like to become a Library Volunteer, either Parent or Pupil please speak to the Library Manager.
LIBRARIAN'S CHOICE BOOK CLUB
The Library runs a book club four times a year, hosts a Book Fair in the Spring Term and can also provide parents will a reliable book supply service. Please contact the Librarian for further information at library@britishschoolriyadh.com
