Library Policy
Rationale
Belfast Boys’ Model school is committed to ensuring that all pupils have access to quality library provision. The school recognises that the need to identify, locate and use information is common to all subject areas. It is central to the whole process of learning.
The school strives to facilitate opportunities for pupils to become independent learners, with the ability to pose questions, to seek sources of information, to identify relevant resource materials and to extract, evaluate and present the information that they find.
Desired Outcomes
The school library exists to:
• Support the school curriculum by providing a suitable, relevant and attractive range of fiction, non-fiction and reference books.
• Ensure the organisation of books for easy access.
• Encourage independent learning and assist in project-based research through text and electronic means.
• Provide for independent study, informal browsing and consultation with library staff.
• Act as an information point for enquiries and facilitate the lending and retrieval of stock.
• Promote and facilitate recreational reading in a conducive atmosphere.
Guidelines
• The library is supervised from 8.30am – 4.15pm by a full-time library assistant.
• A library induction programme is delivered to all Year 8 pupils in a dedicated library class.
• All pupils have access to the library during their lunch period. Senior pupils may use the library facilities throughout the school day if they have permission from their subject teacher.
• All pupils and staff may borrow resources using their computerised swipe cards
• Staff may book a library period for their class in consultation with the librarian
• All departments have a dedicated subject library resourced by the school library
• All Junior school form classes have access to an E.R.I.C. (Everyone Reading In Class) library resourced by the school library
Associated Documentation:
• Libraries in Post Primary Schools: Guidelines for Good Practice 1995
• Libraries Conduct Rules
• Teaching and Learning Policy
Library Conduct
Rules
• No pupil may enter the Library unless supervised by a member of Staff
• Pupils must return Library books promptly
• Books, furniture, posters and displays must be treated with respect
• Library books must be returned to the correct shelf
• Pupils must not eat or drink in the Library
• Mobile phones are not to be used in the Library