Tag Archives: school library

Holyrood Library : Duke of Edinburgh Volunteers

Leave a reply

Our Duke of Edinburgh Volunteers have been doing fantastic work, promoting books and reading, creating book displays, organising fun activities, along with regular admin tasks like adding books to stock.

Milly in S3 has always been an avid reader.

Milly Recommends:

“Percy Jackson is a fantasy book based on Greek mythology. It’s a story about a boy who discovered he is a demigod (half god and half human) he gets sent to this camp for demigods where he finds out that monsters are after demigods, He gets sent out on a dangerous quest. These books are in a series of 5 AND the new tv series just came out on Disney +. If you enjoyed the descriptions, then I have donated 4/5 of the books to the library.”

New copies!

Now on Disney+

“Reading has dramatically changed my way of writing in English, I can see the difference in my writing for over the years from when I started reading. It’s also a very fun way to pass time with the right book” Milly

Celeste – helping the school community

Celeste is now in her second year of volunteering, on course for the Silver Award. She has previously created a whole new Music Section in the library, added new stock into the catalogue, and tidied and squared up the layout of the library after a busy day of classes. A highlight was assisting the Scottish Ambulance Service every week, by helping them with their equipment for the Saving Young Lives workshops. This was a huge task, and usually involved several trips up and down the lift with precious cargo of equipment. Paramedics Sharon and Frank were so impressed by Celeste’s commitment and reliability.

Amna – supporting young learners

For her Bronze Award, Amna developed skills in supporting and encouraging S1/2 library users, who often enjoyed the fun quizzes and activities she devised. This term for Silver Award, Amna came up with the idea of creating an inter-active Animal book display, with paw prints to colour in. Animals are very popular with S1, and Mr Mansefield’s class used the book display to help with research for a class project. Fun and educational !

Animal books, with paw prints

 

Chapter Chats Podcast

Leave a reply

At Holyrood, our Chapter Chats Book Group is attempting a Podcast! This is part of our Reading Schools journey. We’re all very excited, and we’ve had lots of help and support from all round the school. Mrs. Panaretou from the Music Dept. has shown us how to use Garage Band and lent us special recording equipment. Bilal in S6 is our sound engineer.

Setting up for recording

Chapter Chats was set up in 2023, as a book group “for all Busy Bookers in Holyrood, to openly recommend and rant about what you are reading”. We love doing this! We have 9 regular members, and we’ve met for special recording sessions 3 times – in September/ October.

Mr. McGrath and Bilal have hosted the podcasts. We could talk about books all day, so we’ve tried various things to keep on track, such as Quick Fire questions. It’s been so much fun, and we’ve learned lots about each other’s favourite books, and new genres to try.

Some of our Podcast crew

Our Book Group founder members, now in S5

Our next step is working out how to publish our Podcast. We’re looking at various options, and also looking at good practice from other schools throughout Scotland. Our Podcast will be available soon.

Ms Kindness

Holyrood Update – 100 Book Challenge

Leave a reply

Well done to all new S1 pupils at Holyrood for showing amazing enthusiasm for reading.

Ms Kaya’s class , 1D, deserves special mention. They have set an ambitious target : – to read 100 books before the Christmas holidays! This class has an excellent work ethic, and enjoyed their visit to the school library on Thursday, with everyone either borrowing a book (or several books), reading quietly, chatting about books, and creating mini-booklets for the ‘Cosy Autumn Reads’ book display.

1D with their excellent book choices

Autumn mini-books

Reading for pleasure and personal choice is very important to this discerning group of readers. Titles borrowed include Naruto, Avatar, Dog Man, and Bunny vs Monkey, as manga and graphic novels are extremely popular. Some keen readers brought in their own copies of the incredibly popular ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ trilogy. Fact books are also a hit, including first aid, animals, famous footballers and Islamic art.

This class is bound to meet their target very soon. Good luck with your reading, and thank you Ms Kaya and 1D for such an enjoyable library period. Come back soon 🙂

Ms Kindness

Holyrood Library, Spring Update

Leave a reply

March has been an exciting month in the Library, with celebrations for World Book Day, International Women’s Day, Ramadan, and World Poetry Day.

For World Book Day, we welcomed author Victoria Williamson for a brilliant workshop on ‘War of the Wind’. S2 pupils discussed the book, practised some BSL fingerspelling, had a wind-walker race, and cracked some codes using ciphers. Victoria’s books are extremely popular, and her visit sparked even more excitement around which title to read next. Well done 2L and 2M, and huge thanks to Victoria, and Scottish Book Trust – Live Live Literature funding – for making this possible. We also held a Coffee Morning, Book Swap, Scavenger Hunt and S1/S2 Read Around the World challenge, so the fun lasted for most of the month.

S2 enjoying workshop with Victoria Williamson

International Women’s Day, Biographies display

The Duke of Edinburgh volunteers created a book display of biographies for International Women’s Day featuring : Sabrina Cohen-Hatton (fire-fighter and homelessness campaigner), Indra Nooyi (former CEO of PepsiCola), Malala Yousafzai and Taylor Swift.

 

 

Our Book Group members were happy to see International Women’s Day, and Ramadan falling on the same month – he perfect opportunity to chat about our favourite female Muslim authors. These include Zanib Mian, Hafsah Faizal, Intisar Khanani, and Tahereh Mafi. We found out some fun facts, and looked at what inspires these fantastic authors.

Celebrating Muslim authors

  • Zanib Mian wrote the ‘Planet Omar’ books because she wanted to see more funny books for children about an everyday Muslim family. She also launched her own publishing company with a commitment to publishing inclusive books.
  • Iranian- American author Tahereh Mafi –  best known for the Book-Tok sensation ‘Shatter Me’ series – has now sold over 10 million copies.

 

 

Our Book Group is always a welcome space to chill out and share some quiet time together at the end of the week. For World Poetry Day, we watched a poetry video from Nadine Aisha Jassat  ‘Prayer and Breath’

Nadine’s poem ‘Breath and Prayer’

This was so relaxing, we loved the calmness of Nadine walking through Glasgow Womens’ Library, and also the nature imagery. Imaan and Fatima were inspired to write their own nature poetry.

The Librarian is listening to : My Dear Kabul (BBC Sounds)

While we are encouraged to read books and enjoy creative writing in Glasgow schools, it’s important to remember that women in other countries are often denied basic human rights such as education and freedom to express themselves or even to leave the house. ‘My Dear Kabul’, tells the story of Women Writers who risk everything after the Taliban invade Kabul, using a WhatsApp group to keep in touch, as every book and piece of writing they own has been destroyed. Available on BBC Sounds.

 

Holyrood Library Round-up

Leave a reply

Spring is fast approaching. Time for a quick round-up of what we’ve achieved so far this year.

In January, library activities focused on the Sustainability Team’s Reduce, Reuse and Recycle campaign. First up was our pop-up Eco Library in the fuel zone. We like to make books accessible to everyone, so even if you can’t make it to the library – the library will come to you! Library Helpers made a fantastic effort to transport this brilliant selection of books to the fuel zone, and a lunchtime of browsing and borrowing was enjoyed by many.

Next up was our extra special Book Swap, rounding off January in style.

The aim of these two events was to encourage everyone to borrow and recycle books instead of buying. It’s an absolute pleasure to be part of the school’s programme of Eco- events, led by the Sustainability Team & Miss O’Donnell. Holyrood has just been awarded a second Eco-Schools Green Flag, a fantastic achievement by all.

‘Book Valentine’ display, by Hajrah, Hania & Umme

 

In February, we got romantic, with a Who Will Be Your BOOK Valentine? event. Nominations for favourite books included : Twisted Love, Diary of a CEO (which Umme has just finished reading – great choice), Harry Potter, Timmy Failure, Dear Evan Hansen, and A Girl Called Owl. Well done to our Duke of Edinburgh Volunteers for organising this.

 

 

Date or no date on Valentine’s Day? It doesn’t matter – you’re never alone in the Library : “No matter what happens this week; No matter what you see or feel or think or do: I want you to know that in this World – you will always be loved” (exerpt of poem by Ana, S5).

The librarian is reading :

Does public speaking send you into a frenzy of worry? Stay cool, calm, and collected with ‘How to Talk so People Will Listen’ by Lizzie Waterworth, and remember – we’re all rooting for you and want you to succeed.

Happy reading, and have a fantastic World Book Day on 6th March!

Ms Kindness

LGBT History Month at Eastbank Academy

Leave a reply

In February we’re all rainbow colours in the library as we mark the importance of LGBT History month.  We have a special display of both fiction and non-fiction books to highlight both historical and current topics in LGBT communities.   The school library here is a safe space for LGBT pupils, staff and indeed everyone who visits here.  There are always a variety of information books on offer if you have any questions about all matters LGBTQ+.  And remember, you don’t have to be LGBTQ+ to read the fiction titles we have, they’re great stories and often really inspirational.  Don’t forget Miss Cowie (English) runs the LGBTQ+ club too !


Continue reading →

New Books at Holyrood Library

Leave a reply

We’re off to a great start in 2025, with a treasure trove of new books to enjoy, and expert helpers on hand to sort through deliveries, and create beautiful book displays.

Thanks to Angel and Zurie from the S3 Writers’ Group, who selected their favourite Young Adult novels, focusing on diversity and Inclusion  (complete with Christmassy tinsel)!

Recommended By Us, Diverse & Inclusive fiction

They labelled the books with a ‘Recommended by Us’ slip, as this works well in bookshops, and we like to guide readers to choose books that they will love.

 

 

 

 

Recipes from around the World

 

 

We also have a fantastic selection of cookery books featuring recipes from around the World, reflecting the wonderful multiculturalism of Holyrood. Two favourites are A World of Flavour and Recipes for Change

 

Volunteering at Holyrood Library, December Update 

Leave a reply

Our Library Volunteers have been working hard on some great projects to brighten these dark, Winter months. 

Reader of the Month notice board

Rand and Tafsirr created a Reader of the Month noticeboard, to recognise enjoyment and effort in reading.

This month’s award winners – Balint (S2), Egbert (S1) & Melissa (S3), will each receive a book of their choice from the book vending machine.  

 

Book Swap here!

Thanks to Filza, Gia and Izza who created this beautiful giant sign for our Book Swap table during Book Week Scotland. They used the lighthouse logo to represent ‘Hope’ and added their own style and flourish. The Book Swap was a great success. 

 

 

Book swapping at interval

Enjoying books together at the Coffee morning

Our Staff Coffee Morning was a hoot (thanks to Ms Ford for bringing Hedwig along), and S3 Volunteers helped serve refreshments, and gave out copies of ‘Hope’ kindly gifted by the Scottish Book Trust. There was plenty of great chat between staff and young people, who love sharing book recommendations together .

 

S4 Volunteer Lucy, working at the issue desk

Our 14 Volunteers, ranging from S3 – S6 have a lot of fun, but there’s also a goal to achieve, which is completing their Duke of Edinburgh Award at either Bronze or Silver level; or for S6 – their Caritas or Leadership Award.

 

 

 

Like all school librarians, I’m always proud to support our young people with their volunteering, and see this is a key aspect of our School Library Service, offering  “a wide range of interesting and fun volunteering experiences that help others develop new skills and make new friends”. A Vision for Glasgow Life Libraries, April 2023

Our October Volunteers’ Survey asked –  What is your favourite thing about volunteering?

“Meeting new people and becoming friends. The Library is a really inviting space and the people I’ve met are all amazing.” (S3 Volunteer)

“I really enjoyed the creative tasks like wrapping a gift and putting up the posters. But also the less creative tasks like taking record of newly ordered books so all in all I’ve enjoyed pretty much everything!” (S6 Volunteer)

In the survey, our young people agreed that they had achieved some, or all of the following outcomes through volunteering :

1. Of benefit to the school community 2. Teamwork 3. Helping other people 4. Learning new skills 5. Good for my mental health 6. Good for my confidence

 We’ll have more projects and book recommendations to share in 2025. Happy Reading!

November books and more at Lochend

Leave a reply

In November, we celebrated Book Week Scotland at Lochend.  The timing of a delivery of new books from our supplier was ideal, and the pupils were able to choose their books for Book Week Scotland from this amazing array of new titles on display. 

A particular pupil favourite this month has been The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow,   Told in verse form, it follows the main character, Nate, as he starts Secondary School, has difficulties with his friends and is devastated when his younger brother becomes seriously ill.  If you want to find out how Nate deals with all these, grab a copy at your school or public library.  Matt Goodfellow does it again, and our pupils (and their librarian !) are loving his book. 

 

If that lovely book selection wasn’t good enough, there is such a choice of reading material at Lochend.  The shelves of fiction titles seem to go on for miles, and with them being split into different genres, it makes choosing a book so much easier.  Just look for the genre (style of book) that you like and the books are right next to the genre signs.  Here’s the impressive shelves – they go on for ever !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, there are loads more new books still to come at the end of November !  Just look at the boxes waiting to be processed and fly onto the shelves !  A new display will perhaps be coming for festive reads, but meanwhile just imagine what brilliant reading will be added to the stock. Come to the school library and see what you can pick up, there are books to suit everyone.