Welcome to the School Library

Our school library is in the Canon Cassidy Centre.

In 1958 Fr Cassidy became headmaster, under his leadership the school began a period of expansion such as it had not seen for over forty years. He began a process of broadening the curriculum with the introduction of German as a second foreign language, and before long pupils had the opportunity to study Italian, Spanish and Russian. Canon Cassidy, as he now was, had other plans. He refurbished one of the old buildings as a biology laboratory and set up a language laboratory in a classroom in the Old Hall. He extended the staffroom and made use of yet another large room to provide further accommodation for the staff. He made many new appointments to the staff, recruited in the main from former pupils of the school as well as from others with different educational backgrounds and with experience in other schools. He built an entirely new block to accommodate the Sixth Form.

The library is a fantastic resource centre with a collection of fiction and nonfiction books, eBooks and audiobooks, comics, graphic novels, magazines, and laptops for student use.

Staff: Ms Black (Library Manager):

My job is to help you take full advantage of all the library has to offer. Want to find your next exciting new read, information for schoolwork, etc. Please ask.

Pupil Librarians: Appointed each year to help to run the library.

What sort of books are in the library?

Reference Books: These are books that you cannot take out of the Library. They include most dictionaries, atlases, encyclopaedias and the very big books. They have a ‘not to be taken away’ sticker on the inside cover.

Non-Fiction Books: These are the information or fact books. They have a number sticker on the spine. To find the book you need, use the Subject Indexes posted around the library, look up what you need on the library website.

Fiction Books: These are the storybooks or novels. They are arranged in alphabetical order of the author’s surname. Most fiction books have an Accelerated Reader Book Level sticker on the spine to help you choose the right book for your ability.

Our Fiction Books are organised in sections:

▪ General Fiction (all year groups)

▪ Young Adult (Year 9+)

▪ Adult fiction (Year 11+).

A letter will need to be signed from home granting permission for lower years to read Young Adult and Adult fiction.

If you are looking for a “Quick Read” book these are located on their own separate shelf by the library main desk.

EBooks and Audiobooks: These are can accessed through the library website: or https://stcuthberts.eplatform.co/ There are thousands of options to enjoy anywhere, anytime.

Login with your school email:

Username: firstname.lastname@scchs.org.uk

Password: scchsreads

Download the ePlatform app! Available on Apple, Google Play, or Windows

Opening Hours

The library is open mornings, break, lunchtime, and after school.

Monday 9.00am-4.00pm

Tuesday 8.00am-4.00pm

Wednesday 8.00am-4.00pm

Thursday 8.00am-4.00pm

Friday 9.00am-4.00pm

Please note that the library does not open until 9.00am on Mondays and Fridays. Remember to tell someone at home if you are staying in the library after school.

Borrowing Library Books

You may only take a book out for yourself. Do not take a book out and then give it to someone else. You will be held responsible for that book.

To take a book out of the library you must bring the book to the library front desk and give your name to the library assistant. The book will be checked out on the computer under your name.

You may take two books out at a time.

You can keep them for up to three weeks.

You must renew them if you have not finished with them. To renew your book please visit the library and tell Ms Black or a pupil librarian.

Bring your books back on time. This is very important.

If you lose or damage a book, please tell Ms Black straight away. Do not leave it until you get an overdue note.

Returning Books

To return a book, please hand the book in at the library front desk to either a student librarian or Ms Black.

Please do not put a book back on the shelf yourself. The book will still be taken out under your name, and you will be held responsible if the book is not found.

Overdue notices will be sent to your student email account and to your form tutor. Please check your email regularly.

Any lost or severely damaged books will result in a £5.00 replacement charge, please take care of our books!

Finding Books in the Library

There are two main ways to find the books that you need.

1. Computer - you can access the library catalogue by using the Library website: https://uk.accessit.online/stc14 This lets you search by author, title, subject or keyword. The online catalogue will also tell you if the book is available on the shelves.

If the book is on loan, you can ask Ms Black to reserve it for you. This means when the book is returned it will be saved aside for you.

Recommended reading lists are available on the website to guide choice.

2. Subject Index - this is a printed alphabetical index of subjects with their numbers. It will help you find the correct section in the library for information books. Look at the spine of the book to find the right number for your subject.

If you still can’t find your book, please ask.

Library Code of Conduct

The Library is a wonderful resource for you to use - we must all respect this environment. In the Library you are expected to follow these rules.

▪ Do not eat in the library.

▪ Chewing gum is not allowed.

▪ Bottled drinks only.

▪ Take care of the books – do not write in them or remove pages.

▪ Keep books dry – take special care on wet days.

▪ Return books on time – other pupils may be waiting to use them.

▪ If you lose or do not return your books you will have to pay £5.00 for their replacement.

▪ The library computers are for school work only.

The library is a work area with limited spaces. The library is not a place to ’hangout’ you should be doing something purposeful.