Stromness Academy Library

We had our first book fair back in 1997 and the one later this month will be our 13th fair, the last one having taken place in 2011. Over the years there has been mixed success in terms of reaching the commission threshold, however, as nice as it is to get fee brand new books for the school library, the benefits of exposing pupils to a selection of new books from which they can purchase outweigh this. Not everyone can make it to a bookshop, and as much as I advocate visiting our excellent local bookshops and, of course, taking advantage of the Orkney Library & Archive, bringing new books to the frontline, ie. the school, hopefully means that more young folk can have the joys of browsing a selection of books – aimed at secondary pupils.

Our book fair is just under three weeks away, running 23rd to 27th September in the library. It has been a fair few years since we last had one and it is hoped that we can make this one a success, so much so, that we can earn commission for us to be able to purchase more books, which pupils can choose, for the school library.  The target for this commission is £300 and although it seems a lot, it should be doable looking at some of the results of past fairs.

Gift vouchers can also be purchased in advance from: https://bookfairs.scholastic.co.uk/gift-vouchers – good value saving 20% (eg. £10 voucher will give a £12 spend at the fair).

Session 2019-20 has now started and we are now a week into the Autumn term. The local shows are over and comments are made in relation to it [suddenly] feeling autumnal, despite the fact the last few days appear to have brought some decidedly summer weather. Either way, what better time to get into a good book, than popping along to the school library and seeing what we have. Books on any of the displays can also be borrowed – they are not just there for show. Please look at them, read them, borrow them.

We also have a great selection of new books currently being processed (getting them ready for the shelves – labelling, covering, classifying, cataloguing). This does take some time so please be patient, but here is a glimpse of what we have – a couple of boxes of classics which will provide some more of the mid to higher Accelerated Reader levels, as well as a small selection suggested by pupils and staff last term. If you see Mrs Sinclair working on anything you would like to read, let her know and she’ll take your name and reserve it for you to borrow when it is ready.

Information about borrowing books can be found here. All books should be taken to Mrs Sinclair (or a pupil library assistant) at the issue desk to be properly stamped out. Please don’t take any books or other resources if no-one is available. Wait a few minutes, or come back later.

Over the summer, the library shelves were tidied and it is important, that during your use of the library you help maintain the tidy shelves by being careful when removing or replacing books on them. Information about care of books can be found here. With lessening budgets, it is important library and all school resources are looked after with care and respect for them. Damaged or lost books, however, will have to be replaced or paid for – so do look after them when you take them home.

Further information about the library – Please familiarise yourself with these

Library Guide

Behaviour Expectations

Out-of-school-hours (Before registration, lunchtime and after school activities)

The Documents section has a lot of information and guides about the library and other aspects of its use, like Computer resources, finding books and using the catalogue, as well as info on study and research skills.

Note the date!

23rd – 27th September 2019

Book Fair

It has been quite some time since we last ran a book fair in the library. To support literacy and reading for pleasure in the school, a table-top book fair has been booked for the week beginning 23rd September 2019.

There will be a selection of teen / young adult books suitable for secondary school pupils available for sale. Pupils can pay by cash or there will be facilities for cashless payment and gift vouchers can be purchased prior to the event. These vouchers can be exchanged for books at the fair and are good value, for instance, purchasing a £10 voucher allows a £12 spend.

Primary 7 pupils, who will be joining us in August as our new S1s, are in school this week to experience three days at the Academy. This involves tour of the school led by older pupils, activities, and being on timetable in the subjects they will do from August.

During their English lessons today, they were introduced to the Accelerated Reader scheme which the English department run, and did their initial reading test. They then came to the library to have a look at the resources and borrow a book if they wanted one.

Mrs Sinclair, the Librarian managed to do a quick introduction to the library and its various activities to most groups, although timing was short. Pupils were told that they could borrow a book and it was emphasised that they needed to take care of them, being informed that, as is policy here, books borrowed that are lost or damaged would have to be replaced or paid for. They are expected to return the books borrowed today during the first week in August, when they start the academy properly. Some of the pupils also availed themselves of the free (older) books on offer taking them home to read or give to siblings.

It has to be said, that the short transition activity in the library would not have been possible or run as easily without the help of five pupil library assistants, all S1, and the S4 pupil who stayed on after an exam specifically to help. We also had another last minute volunteer, also in first year who joined in and helped. These pupils helped the P7s fill out the issue slips for borrowing books, directed them and helped them find books, as well as handing out the AR bookmarks from the English Department. The S4 pupil manned the issue desk, ensuring books (and issue slips) were stamped. Thank you – all your help was much appreciated.

Every year S1 History pupils study ‘Invasion & Independence’ which includes classroom based work on the plague, Scottish wars, as well as how to attack and defend castles.

This unit of work culminates in  pupils, in small groups, building their own model castles out of cardboard boxes, amongst other things. Some of these amazing models go on display in the library.

During World Book Day last month we ran a small colouring competition for the collection of the special £1 WBD books. Only four entries were returned, however the winning dragon was lovely.

The Pupil Library Assistant Training Scheme has recently been re-established after a few years hiatus, during which a few pupils have volunteered on an informal basis, helping with basic tidying and at special events such as National Poetry day or Spooky Happenings.

Sorting some donations into book boxes for departments to help support Accelerated Reader

Pupils can volunteer to help in the library before registration, at lunchtime, some intervals and possibly after school or on free periods and are required to make a regular commitment to the training and work. The training allows pupils to earn certificates for each level. Responsibilities, duties and commitment increase at each level. Pupils can also work towards Dynamic Youth and Youth Achievement Awards.

Tidying and sorting The Orcadian boxes

Thirteen pupils from S1 to S4 have volunteered to help in the library on a regular basis which will help to develop a number of skills which also link to Curriculum for Excellence.

• Become Successful Learners; Confident Individuals; Responsible citizens and Effective Contributors (Curriculum for Excellence – Four Capacities)
• Make a valuable contribution to the life of the school
• Help develop the library and the services it offers
• Help the library staff provide the best library service they can
• Make a difference to other pupils’ learning
• Act as a role model for other pupils
• Improve your communication and problem-solving skills
• Work well with others in a team
• Take responsibility
• Think on your feet
• Have first choice of new stock, which you can help to choose
• Have access to the library prior to official opening before registrations and some intervals
• Have the chance to get involved in special events

Processing new books – labelling

Most of these pupils have signed up to do Dynamic Youth and Youth Achievement Awards which are peer assessed awards leading to recognised qualifications.

Meeting with Maureen Herdman, Community Learning, to discuss DY and YAA participation

World Book Day is one of those celebrations that you know is happening in advance, however its timing in a hectic term can mean the day itself often catches me by surprise. This year the thought processes started last week and on Monday plans were put in place for an informal event in the library, advertised in the school daily bulletin.

New book being covered prior to display

A delivery of new books

World Book Day £1 books – a very nice surprise

This included:

• Early access to some new books – many chosen  by pupils.
• Book swap – bring in a book (in very good or excellent condition) and swap it for another to take away and read – for pupils and staff.
• Share your favourite book or author.
• Bookmark colouring in
• National Book Tokens design competition – First prize = £250 book tokens for school; £100 tokens for pupil. More info from Mrs S. Entries to library by 5^th

This, today with the arrival of more new books chosen by pupils and purchased with money donated by the Parent Council, as well as a surprise box of the £1 books, morphed into:

Around 20 pupils and a member of staff took part over the course of the 40 minute lunch break, with the colouring competition of book marks and images based on the Beast Quest books from the World Book Day website. This proved most popular. Attendees were also asked to fill in a mini survey with a view to suggesting more books for the library as well as filling out a short evaluation forms. Snacks, coffee and hot chocolate also proved popular, not surprisingly.

Quite a few pupils reserved some of the yet to be catalogue new books which only arrived today, as well as exchanging their £1 vouchers for the £1 WBD books which came as a complete surprise from the wonderful bookshop – Stromness Books & Prints. This proved popular. There was also an animated discussion about favourite books whih started on the back of filling in the survey.

For what effectively was a ‘last minute’ event, this lunchtime has been energetic, animated and most enjoyable.

The library is not only open during the timetabled school day, but is also available before registration from 8:35am (approx 8:25am onwards for pupil library assistants), lunchtime,  and after school.

Everday

Pupils often choose to do any of the organised activities (shown below) during lunchtimes on days other than the designated ones.

• Reading
• Homework
• Research
• Computers for work
• Computers for leisure
• Board games

• Pupil Library Assistant Duties – The training scheme has recently been re-established with 11 volunteers.

Monday

• Miniature Painting

Tuesday

• Chess Club

• Pupil Library Assistant Meeting

• Dungeons & Dragons (After School)

• Study Support (After School)

Wednesday

• Magic the Gathering

Thursday

• ‘Luncheon & Dragons’ – a very short D&D session – sandwiches allowed

Friday Activities

• D&D

• Pathfinder

• Magic the Gathering

• Warhammer

Once again, the cycle of the school year has led us to options times. In the next few weeks pupils in S2 – 5 will be selecting their subjects for the following year.

As part of this process, S2 visit the library on several occasions to do Some Careers Information Literacy Skills, be introduced to the small Careers Section and to finding relevant information on the internet (Primarily, My World of Work).

The first lesson is loosely based on The Reading Game.

Pupils are split into 5 or 6 small groups depending on the size of class and given a starting station where the choose one of the career areas on that table, then between them select what they think are the the jobs that fit into the area, personal qualities and skills that are key to the career, as well as what school subjects might me required. Pupils only get a short time (5-8mins max) to make their selections and write them down on there sheet. A whistle is blown, and each group moves on to another station. The time they have a t each station reduces as the lesson proceeds.

Once finished, pupils will have been exposed to a number of career categories, and this has also enabled them to think about their own skills and qualities that they are good at thus enabling them to make better options choices and helping in the future, to write job, college, university applications, personal statements and CVs