Health and Safety Policy
Organization
Procedures
Resources
Teaching and Learning
In addition to the school's policy on health and safety these basic rules should be adhered to in the R.B.L.C.
1. Prompt arrival of the member of staff to supervise entry.
2. Coats and bags to left in the cloakroom area, so that working areas are kept clear.
3. Only members of staff to open and close windows.
4. Use of electrical equipment to be supervised by the teacher. After use equipment should be switched off prior to plugs being pulled.
5. Any faults on electrical equipment should be reported immediately to the librarian.
A wide range is displayed on the shelves, organized by AUTHOR SURNAME. Large picture and storybooks are in the Kinder boxes in the centre of the room. Collections of easier to read texts are kept on the stands in the centre of the library.
This is organized by the Dewey system, which works on decimal placing between 0 and 999.
0- 99 Encyclopaedias, Dictionaries, Newspapers.
100-199 Computers, Mysteries.
200-299 Religion.
300-399 Education, Social problems, Commercial transport.
400-499 Languages - includes legends, folk tales, grammar.
500-599 Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Botany, Zoology
600-699 Pets, Transport, Food
700-799 Art, Music, Theatre, Sports.
800-899 Literature - poetry, drama, Shakespeare.
900-999 Geography, History.
Many texts have stickers on the spines to denote the subject matter.
All non-fiction has the Dewey number printed on the spine.
Dewey explanation booklets are kept on the issue desk. They list subjects in alphabetical order with the Dewey number by the side.
e.g. Wild Animals 591
Gardening 635
Contains encyclopaedias, dictionaries, large subject-based books, and `list' books e.g. `The Best 10 of Everything These books may only be used in R.B.L.C. and must not be removed to classrooms.
In the 800 section of the library there is a section of books in other languages including Bengali, Gujerati, Urdu. Russian, French, Portuguese Etc.
Located on the shelves at the end of the history section, the local collection has various topic books on the area.
On the display stand to the left of the informal seating area are a selection of newspapers and magazines.
Contains as regular items: -
The Advertiser Streetwyse Witch
The Daily Express Computer Active Shoot
Free magazines The Times Heat
The Stage Simpsons Comic Flip Side
Book, media, stationery and library equipment catalogues are available in the R.B.L.C. office for any member of staff to use.
Selections of brochures are kept in boxes in the reference section these include: -
Holiday Brochures Curriculum Policies
Directories Office of Fair Trading
A number of books are available, covering professional development; assemblies, travel and fiction they are held on the shelves at the end of the reference section. A selection of fiction books are available in the book exchange located in the staff room.
Only a small number are available. They are kept in the office. May be borrowed by staff only. List of titles available in the library.
In student work area Drawers contain information on various topics. List of titles available in the library.
A selection of posters and charts are kept in the drawers at the back of the student work area near the fire exit door. List of titles available in the library.
Advanced bookings may be made by speaking to the librarian. Block booking can be made ahead of lessons, so the Librarian can timetable effectively.
Staff Borrowing For Classrooms
Order in advance. The Librarian will issue texts on to the teacher's Library card. It is then the responsibility of the teacher to secure them within the classroom, please return promptly to the library.
Student Access During Lessons
The librarian is available from 8.30 till 4.00 any subject teacher may send a maximum of 4 students for independent research
The student must bring with them a permission note.
Opening Hours Outside Lesson Times
| Breakfast Club | 8.00 - 9.00 |
| Morning Break | 11.0 - 11.20 |
| Lunchtime | 1.15 - 2.15 |
| After School | 3.15 - 4.00 |
Borrowing Books
Every teacher and student is automatically a member of the library.
Date stamp and pad are kept in red box marked Library Work Box, which is kept on the desk in office when not in use. The workbox also contains all other equipment needed on the issue desk.
NO STUDENT IS ALLOWED TO ISSUE AND DISCHARGE BOOKS OR TO GO BEHIND ISSUE DESK WITHOUT PERMISSION.
Loan Periods
All students are allowed to borrow 3 books for up to four weeks. After loan period is over books may be renewed up to three times, however the librarian must be informed that renewal is requested.
Year 10 and 11 are allowed to borrow addition books for course work revision etc. at the discretion of the Librarian.
Reserves
Students or staff may reserve books or other resources. The reservation sheet is either on or behind the issue desk.
Overdue Books
Books should be returned promptly to the library.
Students first informed via form tutor on form overdue 1
Second reminder via year head on form overdue 2
Third reminder via parents on form overdue 3
Staff informed via notes in pigeonholes.
Student Librarians
Student Librarians have responsibility for: -
Issues, renewal and return of books
Shelving books
Watering Plants
Tidying area at 13.30
Monitor training takes place after school when possible. Monitors work towards Library Centre Assistant skills Awards.
THEY SHOULD BE IN FULL NEAT UNIFORM AND THEIR BEHAVIOUR IS TO BE BEYOND REPROACH.
Over 12,000 resources including books, videos, audio tapes
18 computers connected to the school network
1 black and white printer
1 colour printer
1 Scanner
1 stand alone computer for library catalogue with own printer
Heritage library system
Plascon security system
1 video
1DVD
1 white board
1 projector screen
Careers Library Contains information in texts on further and higher education and job opportunities.
The most successful lessons in the RBLC are well planned between both the subject teacher and the librarian. They are varied, independent learning experiences with a range of resources not usually available in classrooms. The students respond well to this new but stimulating environment and gain as much, and often more, than in a traditional classroom setting.
The Learning Environment
The RBLC at Academy is welcoming and stimulating to students and provides flexible arrangements for students to use. They can do group work, use ICT facilities as well as browsing the shelves. It is open at break, lunch and after school hours to facilitate homework assignments.
Variety of Learning Experiences
The RBLC provides a definite variety of learning experiences for students. We offer a range of ICT facilities including Internet research and independent work areas as well as resources to support this.
Resources to support research and skills development
The librarian is in a position to gain an overview of research skills present in students, and is capable of supporting them in their research and in using the most appropriate means to do this. The RBLC produces a regularly updated booklet on search techniques, search engines and recommended web sites to help students with their Internet searches.
Giving access to the world of information
Through the RBLC students can gain access to all manner of information. This, when mastered, will prove an invaluable tool for their future needs. Their attention will be focused and allow them to pursue whatever aspects of their education they are engaged in.
Achievement, self-esteem and independent learner
One of the roles of the librarian is to support and encourage independent and flexible learning; the RBLC is well placed to do this. The students are encouraged to use subject index and signing in the RBLC to locate their own resources.
Supporting reading
The reading scheme ‘Fiction For Fun’ is very successful in encouraging students to develop their reading skills. There are several recommended reading lists and the librarian is available to assist students to select books that are suitable to their reading age and interests.