Welcome to Burford School Library.

We are lucky enough to have a huge and fantastic library which houses over 15,000 books!

FICTION

We have a comprehensive fiction section, with books ranging from our ‘Quick Reads’ to Homer’s ‘Odyssey’ which caters for every student’s school and pleasure reading needs. We have many of the top new releases by popular authors such as Meg Cabot, Darren Shan, Jacqueline Wilson and Robert Muchamore. On top of this, we stock short listed titles for the Carnegie Book Award and Oxfordshire Book Awards.
Horrible Histories, Graphic Novels, Award Winners, ‘Boys into Books’ and much much more can be found around our fiction shelves as well as a small staff library and Biographies, all this before you even venture into the non fiction area!

NON-FICTION

The Non-Fiction section is a favourite haunt for the Sixth form student. The study spaces divided by shelves provide a quiet environment conducive to high quality work, with the latest information at their fingertips.

As well as the non-fiction titles which monopolise all outer wall space, we also have a central Reference section, in which we keep copies of most of the text books used as well as larger volumes, dictionaries and encyclopaedias, which students find most useful.
Lower school students use this space during break and lunch times as well as during Study Zone and private study sessions.

There is a specially designated area for laptop use and WiFi is available throughout the space.




COMPUTERS

We have a fully updated computer suite with 16 computers, a scanner, both black and white and colour printing facilities, as well as a projector with screen and speakers, and the facilities to process photocopying.

READING ZONE

In 2009 we introduced our fabulous BSA funded Reading Zone. This is an area specially designed to be a comfortable place for students to read, with individual displays of recently borrowed books and the latest top titles. We have soft chairs and magazines which make it a relaxing area for pupils to be in.

 

STUDY ZONE


The Study Zone is an after school homework session which runs on a Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evening from 3:00 until 4:30. These are late bus evenings and students may collect late bus passes from reception.

During Study Zone students have access to all the resources the Library offers, as well as friendly Library staff always being on hand to help out. It’s an excellent chance to get homework done or spend time working on crucial coursework.

READING WEEK

Every year we like to put a special emphasis on the week surrounding WORLD BOOK DAY and run a Reading Week with author visits, reading competitions, fancy dress, poets and parties! All students receive their WBD£1 vouchers and we put on a book sale to give them the opportunity to spend their voucher in school if they so wish.
Activities have included:

  • Workshops with Andy Briggs (author of the Hero.com/Villian.net books)
  • Presentation from Marcus Moore (Performance Poet)
  • Talk by Marcus Sedgwick (author of ‘My Swordhand is Singing)
  • Visit to see Rick Riordan (author of the Percy Jackson series.
  • Quizzes
  • Book speed choice
  • Poetry sessions
  • Story Telling Lunches
  • The Factual Book Award
  • Alice in Wonderland Party and Competition
  • Mystery books.

LIBRARY LESSONS

When entering the school in year 7 students are given a course of library lessons, during this time students are educated on how to use the library to support their studies as well as their leisure reading. They are taught to use the Dewey Decimal system as well as the library computer system - OLIVER.

During these sessions the students are also given the opportunity to work in teams and utilise the libraries resources to put together presentations and posters based on a research topic, which are used throughout the library.

READING CLUB

Every Friday lunchtime the library is given over to the use of students who are passionate about reading and books. Any student may join at any time and the group may be made up of students of any ages.

During this session we explore a range of exciting books and help to encourage wider reading, as well as having a great deal of fun!

These students are also part of the book award groups. At Burford School we follow two book awards, the Oxfordshire Book Award and the Carnegie Medal. Both require a lot of reading, discussion and fabulous trips off site, to award ceremonies and activities days respectively.

CHESS CLUB

Every Tuesday lunchtime there is Chess Club in the library. This is open to all and we run tournaments throughout the school year. The club is run by librarians with participating students either playing ‘friendlies’ or tournament matches. When we have new members older members are always happy to help them learn!
We also have links with other local schools who run inter-school tournaments