Welcome to Werneth School Library!
"A library is a place where history comes alive, where the past speaks to the present, and where the future is shaped" - Rabindranath Tagore
Our school library is a welcoming and vibrant space where students can enjoy both learning and relaxation. It is a true sanctuary within the school, offering a calm environment for quiet reading, independent study, or simply taking a peaceful break. Students are encouraged to borrow and take home our books, explore new interests, and discover the joys of reading. The library also provides opportunities for friendly games of chess or joining in with a board game, working on our library laptops to complete homework or school projects, or spending time with friends in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. Whether for study, play or reflection, the library is at the heart of our school community.
Library Opening times.
Our library is open to all years at the following times:
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Break |
Lunch |
After school |
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Monday |
Y |
Y |
Y |
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Tuesday |
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Y |
Y |
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Wednesday |
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Y |
Y |
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Thursday |
Y |
Y |
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Friday |
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Y |
Y |
Library resources
- Range of fiction and non-fiction texts
- Popular magazines
- Games and activities
- Laptops
- Career advice section
- Intervention room for literacy
- Self-help section
- Revision guides
- Copies of dyslexia-friendly texts
Becoming a student librarian
Werneth's library is run by our school librarian, Mrs Taylor. She has students to help her to keep the library running smoothly: our invaluable team of school librarians.
Librarians are selected by following an application process. Student librarian posts are advertised, application forms filled in, interviews conducted and 'trial' weeks worked before job posts are filled, just as they would for any job.
Librarians are following a School Library Association recommended award scheme, gaining certificates and awards for completing various tasks.
For more information about any of the above, please see Mrs Taylor for more details or email her at helen.taylor@wernethschool.com
Reserve and Read.
If you want to check if we have a book you want to read, or if you’d like to reserve a book to make sure you get hold of a copy, you can use Reserve and Read. Eclipse Hosted is our school library catalogue, where you can search for library items, reserve books you want to read, and review books you have read. To review and reserve books, and to see your library loans, you will need a login. Please see Mrs Taylor or your English Teacher for this.
To search for items, just click on the 'search' tab. Once you have clicked on a book you can reserve it and it will be delivered to you during form time or one of your English lessons.
Eclipse login https://readingcloud.net/
Key Sections in our Library
BookTok
The BookTok section is reserved for young adults age 13 and above, as some of them have more mature themes. They have been recommended by TikTok users using their social platform and are extremely popular with our pupils.
Diversity
The Diversity section contains a wide range of books that can be easily identified by our diversity sticker. This section features authors and characters that have traditionally been under-represented in literature.
Classics
The classics section is a favourite with staff. They are clothbound classics such as Little Women, Treasure Island, Frankenstein etc all beautifully presented and displayed. These cannot be taken home, but can be enjoyed in the library during library lessons or in social times.
Barrington Stoke Books
These books are designed for pupils who may struggle due to dyslexia or visual stress. They are stories that are of high interest, but that are retold with reluctant and weaker readers in mind. Barrington Stoke works with the best writers and illustrators to publish super-readable, accessible books that help every child experience the joy of reading. We are extremely fortunate to have an entire bookcase dedicated to these books in our library.
If you liked…
This section of the library contains books that are similar to those that are being read and studied in English lessons. If a pupil feels particularly interested and engaged in a book they are reading as a class, and would like to read similar literature, this section contains similar reads for them to try.
Non-Fiction
We have a section of the library that houses all of our non-fiction texts. This is a place for our pupils to immerse themselves in topics of the real world and to extend their knowledge of the topics they are studying in classes. We have everything from mountains to motorbikes, animals to historical figures. It is an invaluable resource that we are very lucky to have in our library.
We also have regularly changing sections of books to match key events throughout the year including scary stories for Halloween; books featuring LGBT+ characters during Pride month; Christmas themed books in the month of December; romance stories around Valentine’s day and many more!
Why is reading good for me?
Nowadays, it's easy to spend hours watching TV shows or scrolling through social media. But despite these choices, many people still enjoy reading as a favourite activity. We know that reading helps us become better at understanding words and language, but it also offers many other advantages.
Getting to know interesting characters
When we read about different characters—whether we love them or love to dislike them—it draws us into the story. It also helps us better understand ourselves by comparing our feelings and opinions with those of the characters.
Surprising health benefits
Reading does more than just teach us about ourselves. It’s good for our overall health, too. Just half an hour of reading each week can boost our well-being. It can increase our confidence, help us feel good about ourselves, and give us the courage to set goals and make decisions. Reading before bed can even improve sleep. Research has shown that reading can help us become more aware of others’ feelings and perspectives. It also keeps our brains active because when we read, we imagine scenes, sounds, and actions, which stimulates the brain's activity.
Learning from reading
Of course, reading is also a wonderful way to explore new worlds and ideas. You could read stories about historical events like the Napoleonic Wars or life in Victorian times. So, although many people read to relax and escape, they’re also learning new things and expanding their knowledge without even realising it!
In a nutshell, 5 main benefits of reading are:
- It improves the functioning of the brain- reading is a workout to keep the brain healthy.
- It improves vocabulary - reading books enriches word power
- it improves the memory - reading activates the hippocampus area of the brain
- It improves theory of mind - reading boosts empathy in individuals towards others
- It improves knowledge
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How can you support your child's reading?
- Set aside time to read to your child regularly. Little and often is best.
- Create opportunities for your child to read alone, to you or with you. Make reading a family activity.
- Encourage reading at home and everywhere else (practice reading menus, instructions, information boards, film and TV credits … show them reading is everywhere)
- Act as a role model and let your child see you read
- Make connections between reading and real life
- Keep reading materials in the house and make them easily accessible
- Talk to your child about what they are reading – show an interest
- Expose your child to different book genres – if they always read fantasy novels, give them a science fiction or adventure story to read.
- Visit your local library together
- Support your child- help them when they are struggling and talk to their English teacher if you feel like you or your child needs further support
Benefits of Reading
- It improves the functioning of the brain – reading is a workout to keep the brain healthy
- It improves vocabulary – reading books enriches word power
- It improves the memory – reading activates the hippocampus area of the brain
- It improves theory of mind – reading boosts empathy in individuals towards others
- It improves knowledge- Reading is essential for students to become successful in school and their journey through life. The better a child can read, the easier it is for them to learn in school.
- It improves mental health - Reading gives you that mental space to occupy yourself with something more interesting.
- When you read a great story, all your stress seems to slip away and relax you since you tend to travel mentally in a different realm.
Reading tests
Every pupil will undertake a reading test at regular intervals throughout the school year. This allows us to track the reading progression of every child and provide targeted reading interventions when needed.
BBC Newsround: This website is the home of news and fun facts for kids. You can find out what is going on, with stories, pictures and videos to view and read together. They even have a selection of quizzes and games for you to try!. https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround
Carel Press Complete Issues: the library has signed up to this fantastic resource. It gives us access to lots of articles and focus guides on a variety of subjects including Body Image, Bullying, Religion and Gender. The Username and password are both Werneth. https://www.completeissues.co.uk/
Overdrive: This website offers ebooks and audiobooks for free. The best of these are in the Kids and Teens sections, with potential to browse both Fiction and Non-Fiction by Subject, for more titles to support subject knowledge and learning. You do need to be signed up to your local library. https://www.overdrive.com/
BorrowBox: This is another resource offering audiobooks. For students, the best are in the Children’s eAudio section, whilst parents might be interested in the Wonderful Wellbeing titles, to keep everyone’s spirits up at home. Again to use this platform, you need to be signed up with a local library and have the app downloaded. https://www.borrowbox.com/
The Words for Life website from The National Literacy Trust provides parents, children and young people with activities and support to improve their language, literacy and communication skills from home for all age groups from 0-6 months to 12 years. https://www.wordsforlife.org.uk
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