Our school Librarian is Miss V Black
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How does the library support learning?
- Reading
The library has a huge range of fiction and non-fiction books. The librarian can recommend books to suit each pupil’s needs, age and interests. Pupils who read for pleasure do better in school, not just in English, but in ALL subjects! The more we read, the better we get at it. Reading improves concentration, imagination and vocabulary. Stories help us to develop empathy and teach us about the world around us. Reading is also a great form of entertainment!
S1 & S2 pupils take part in a reading programme called Accelerated Reader. Pupils can sit quizzes on the books they read and gather points towards their individual targets. Find out more here: https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/ea/wmckilmarnockacademy/files/2020/03/Accelerated-Reader-Getting-Started.pdf
- Research
Pupils are encouraged to use the library for research in all of their subjects. The librarian provides library skills lessons covering: finding books in the library, using books for research, internet search skills, referencing and avoiding plagiarism. These information skills are useful across all subjects that require pupils to carry out independent research as part of their coursework or homework. They are life skills which will be of benefit in the future for pupils going into work or moving on to further and higher education.
As well as books and other print resources, the library provides a range of electronic resources to support coursework. There are PCs and laptops with internet access in the library. These are available during class time, at lunch time and after school.
- Revision
The library is open to pupils before school, after school and during lunch time. It can be used for individual study or for group work. Study guides and past papers are available for pupils to borrow. There are laptops and PCs in the library with internet access.
- Careers
There is a careers section in the library which has resources to help pupils choose subjects, research careers, apply to college or university, find out about Modern Apprenticeships, write a CV and prepare for interviews.
- Health and Wellbeing
The library can support pupils’ health and wellbeing. There is a dedicated “Shelf Help” section which has books and other resources about issues that pupils or their family/friends may be facing including: body image, bullying, exam stress, fitness, grief, growing up, mental health and more.
The library can also provide mental health first aid kits (arranged through Pupil Support). These include a mixture of different resources to support mental health – distractions such as colouring pages, writing journals, stress balls and lego kits to help pupils relax; non-fiction books giving information about a range of issues that affect mental health; fiction books featuring characters that are dealing with issues affecting their mental health and finally advice/information about where to find further help.
- Fun Stuff
Competitions, events and activities take place throughout the school year to promote reading for pleasure including the Spring Read programme of author events, interschool Readers’ Cup quiz, World Book Day and Book Week Scotland celebrations. Lunch time clubs this year include Chilled Tuesdays – providing pupils with a space for quiet reading – and Illustrators Club.
Useful web links:
Accelerated Reader pupils log in: https://ukhosted82.renlearn.co.uk/2227443
Accelerated Reader parent log in: https://ukhosted82.renlearn.co.uk/2227443/HomeConnect
Complete Issues: www.completeissues.co.uk – see Miss Black if you don’t know the school’s log in. Complete Issues
Latest news:
Some S1 & S2 pupils have been taking part in our Visual Tales project. We are exploring how to tell stories without relying on text. So far, we have looked at comic books and next we will focus on film.
