Welcome to the Lis Harries Library
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Please see below the link to the Autumn Term 2024 'Library Times' newsletter:
Library Times Autumn 2024 - Edition 25
One of the keystones of our Library policy is:
To promote reading for pleasure and ensure the stock of fiction is both stimulating and diverse within funding resources, reflecting diversity, equality and inclusion, respectful of culture, race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, language, abilities/disabilities, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or geographic origin.
The full policy is available to read here Library Policy 2023
Our Advice to parents regarding student borrowing is available to read here:
Library Advice Regarding Student Borrowing
Please click on the pile of books to access the catalogue
Situated in the heart of the school, the Lis Harries Library is a purpose-built space for reading and study. Comprising two rooms and over two floors, the Library is a fusion of a traditional grammar school with its oak bookshelves, wooden balustrades and patchwork sofa combined with the modernity of its bank of computers and resources. The adjoining room (MG16) is a modern, multi-functional space usually set out as a study room but can be configured conference style for careers talks or used for exams and also contains our comfortable Wellbeing Zone to support mental health.
Library is a purpose-built space for reading and study. Comprising two rooms and over two floors, the Library is a fusion of a traditional grammar school with its oak bookshelves, wooden balustrades and patchwork sofa combined with the modernity of its bank of computers and resources. The adjoining room (MG16) is a modern, multi-functional space usually set out as a study room but can be configured conference style for careers talks or used for exams and also contains our comfortable Wellbeing Zone to support mental health.
Complemented with an array of plants and wall displays, the Library is a calm and quiet working room with over 15,000 books and resources supporting the curriculum, reading for pleasure, teaching and wellbeing, and is a popular sanctuary for staff and students.
Books are our passion, which is reflected on our shelves as we continually strive to provide our students with a diverse and inclusive range of literature both classic and modern by a wide range of authors from all over the world including indigenous peoples, broadening our students’ experience of the world, encouraging empathy while increasing knowledge and understanding.
How we promote reading
We have curated recommended reading lists of fiction and non-fiction specifically for Years 7 and 8, as well as various reading lists for specific events, such as Empathy Day, Black History Month, Ramadan, Earth Day, etc. as well as those for Sixth Formers planning their personal statements and career pathways.
We follow all the major UK book awards to ensure our students have access to read good quality fiction and track recommended reading by the Oxbridge and Redbrick universities for UCAS and careers.
We support our students’ right to read without censorship or prejudice. Responsibility for their book choices is their own; however, we will always advise on content, context and age appropriateness.
Events in the Library calendar
We promote an annual calendar of events including a WHSG book award (curated from the major UK book awards), National Poetry Day, World Book Day and Empathy Day to name a few. 
We also support a raft of awareness days and events such as Women’s History, Black History, Pride, Green Week, Holocaust Memorial Day, Remembrance Day, International Women’s Day, Earth Day and major religious festivals.
Author visits
We are privileged to have a long-standing relationship with acclaimed author Laura Dockrill, who comes into school every year for July’s author day. In addition to Laura, we have also welcomed authors such as Holly Smale, Anne Cassidy, Chris Russell and Sufiya Ahmed as part of World Book Day events, giving our students highly valuable access to published authors.
Please click the following links
Year 7 Recommended Reading List
Year 8 Recommended Reading List
Historic 'Library Times' Newsletters
Academic Year 2023/2024
