Okay, thought we have just had the October hols, and now it seems like Christmas if very nearly upon us. The library has been a hive of activity since October. Mornings and lunchtimes are busy with library regulars who use the library for reading, playing board games, Magic the Gathering, using computers (work or leisure) and generally ‘chilling’. Classtime, has also been busy with library periods on a weekly basis for S1 and 2 classes, and S3 and 4 coming on a slightly less regular basis. There was an informal ‘Spooky Happenings’ storytelling session during the first week back at lunchtime.

S1 pupils are continuing to work on library induction and Reading Record activities during their library periods. In fact, S1 have been busy [fullstop] in the library. November saw them doing research for their History project on Ancient Civilisations, putting into practice some of the skills learned during library induction and learning some new research skills. They are now doing research for their Geography project on ‘Extreme Weather’ (of which we have had our fair share of during the last couple of weeks including 130mph wind gusts recorded at Hammers Hill).

S2 pupils are doing a History Project on Hudson Bay and John Rae and your erstwhile Librarian has spent some time researching on the internet and added to the archive box on the topic produced by the Orkney Library & Archive last year. Web links for this project are available via Livebinders in a binder called Hudson’s Bay Company.

New Manga novels have been added to library stock and you can expect more new books to be added each week. These will be on the new books display. A small donation of magazines from a teacher has been received as well as some from the librarian (horsey ones, xBox, Historic Scotland, Top Gear, to name a handful). Please do suggest ideas for new books – remember, it is your library!

The small team of pupil Librarians continues to meet on a Monday interval and attend to duties during lunchtimes. Any pupils can colunteer to help in the library – good experience for CV and a great way to have a say in the running of he library. Pupil Librarian training can count towards Youth Achievement Awards and further detail can be obtained from the librarian.

A senior pupil has run a small Warhammer group during some lunchtimes and an S4 pupil, is going to help run a Manga Club, starting on Friday 9th November.

A book fair is running this week (if the books arrive) giving a good opportunity to get some Christmas shopping in for books or stationery. Commission is received by the library on any sales (if we make the target) and this is a great way to get more resources for the library. Do support this event.

So, it has been a busy term so far and with three weeks to go there is a lot more to do.