SHENE SCHOOL LEARNING RESOURCE CENTRE (LRC)
The Learning Resources Centre at Shene School is a well established learning environment. Available in the LRC are books, newspapers, magazines, audio visual materials and computers. Also provided are computerized library catalogue and internet access.
The LRC is located on the ground floor in Palewell Park building, in an area that is not disturbed by pupils going from one lesson to another.
LIBRARY PASS
Classes are very welcome to use the Learning Resources Centre as long as they are using the resources available (books or computers). It is not advisable to use the LRC as an extra room or space. The teachers have to book in advance and let the librarian know what they need.
During lessons students are not allowed in the LRC unless they have a special permission, an ‘out of class’ permit signed by their teacher. At break and lunch time all students are free to go and use the LRC. The LRC can be used for reading related activity. You are allowed to come in to do your homework, you can read fiction , browse through comics and magazines, and even computers. Nobody is allowed in the LRC unless they are engaged in their reading or homework.
THE LIBRARIAN
Diane Bowe is the Learning Resources Centre Manager at Shene School. If you cannot find the information you need, or you need help with your research, or information about good books to read, please ask her, she is very willing to assist you.
VOLUNTEERS
To be able to run this busy LRC the Librarian needs at least 1 adult and 2 student librarians during break 1 and lunch time. These 1 adult and 2 student librarians will help with shelving, activity-monitoring etc.
COMPUTERS
Shene School LRC is equipped at present with 3 desktops and 19 laptops that the students can use during lunch and also with a teacher during a lesson.
The LRC is always open. The Librarian is constantly there ready to assist pupils or teachers.
COLLECTION
The Learning Resources Centre serves both students and staff through the school. Materials are purchased with both in mind. The collection covers non-fiction, reference and fiction. Over years, the LRC has been equipped with a good collection of books covering a wide range of topics from the national curriculum and of general interest. Mr Young and Ms Callum (Former Librarians) have done a good job of acquiring interesting and educative materials for students use. However, these had been under-utilised by both the teachers and students they were designed for.
Teachers are always welcome and the LRC has a range of materials for their use. Fiction collection is also very good with a good range of teenage and adult fiction available, again, for teachers and pupils. We are very proud of our fiction collection and would love to help you find “just the right book” for you. The LRC is currently acquiring educational DVDs to aid learning. These cannot be loaned but can be watched within the library. This is to prevent it from getting damaged because of the fragility of DVDs.
BORROWING
Everyone at Shene School can borrow books. All you need do is bring your school diary for proof of identity. Select the books you want to borrow and show the librarian at the counter. Then she will do the necessary procedures and you can then have the books for two weeks. All materials may be renewed for an additional two week period, if nobody else needs it at this time. You are entitled to borrow up to ten books or materials at a time. However, in special instances, when your entire class is studying the same subject, your teacher may put books on reserve and not allow them to circulate.
OVERDUE
A list of overdue materials will be sent to your tutor towards the end of the term. It is your responsibility to return materials before the due date. If you have overdue materials, your borrowing privileges will be restricted. When the item is returned, your record is cleared.
RETRIEVING BOOKS
The non-fiction books are arranged by the Dewey Decimal System. This system divides the whole of knowledge into ten main groups and gives each subject its own number between 000 and 999, for example, languages is 400 while geography is 900. You will find the number on the spine of each book. This helps us find books easily when we need them. However, fiction books are placed in alphabetical order by the surname of the author.
RULES
We try not to have too many rules, but there are a few things to watch to while you are in the Learning Resources Centre:
1. No food or drink in the Learning Resources Centre.
2. Do not disturb others — Use a quiet voice so as not to disturb those who are studying.
3. No mobile phones.
4. No headphones.
5. Walk–do not run– in the Learning Resources Centre
6. Return all materials you do not want to the re-shelving trolley.
7. When using a computer — Always log off when you finish.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
Every month, a ‘Best library User’ is selected and awarded with a certificate. The librarian observes students as they use the library and awards the best student who reads library materials and uses them in proper ways obeying the rules of the library. Also, five ‘Friends of the Library’ are selected. These are students who set good examples in the library for the month.
LIBRARY CLUBS
The library hosts 2 effective clubs. These are:
Book Worm Club: All you need do in this club is to read a fiction every week and fill a questionnaire when you return the books and you will have points for this. Our motto is ‘A Book A Week’.
Young Librarians’ Club: This is the club for young helpers in the library. It helps them to know how to carry out literature search and research in the library and gives them work experience for their future career.
The Learning Resources centre is open to you. You are very much welcome to explore, inquire, discover and enjoy the vast world of knowledge!
