Library
Librarian: Mrs J A Cardnell BA, Dip Lib, MCLIP, Cert
CEG
Library Assistant: Mrs S Marshall
Historical Background
The Hamp Library – an imaginative conversion of the
old school gymnasium - was opened in the summer of 1992 by Mr F R Hamp OBE TD, former Chairman of
the Governors and Past Master of the Leathersellers’ Company. The school library, however, has been
in continuous existence since 1929, despite being largely destroyed by bombing during the 2nd World
War.
Its predecessor, founded by Abraham Colfe in 1652, and
precisely regulated under the terms of his will, contains early printed books, some dating from the
end of the 15th century. Much of this early collection is today preserved in the Leathersellers’
Hall in London.
Present Library
The school library offers a comprehensive collection
of resource material to support the requirements of the curriculum and the recreational interests
of the pupils. A stock of some 13,500 items is available for loan, with a further collection of
reference items such as atlases, dictionaries and encyclopaedias for use in the library. A wide
range of newspapers and magazines is purchased. The computerised library system allows students to
borrow books and to search the library catalogue via the school network to identify suitable
resources. There are twelve computers linked to the school network allowing access to the Internet
and word-processing facilities, including colour printing. The library is staffed by a full-time,
chartered librarian, a part-time library assistant and pupil volunteers.
The Librarian runs classes teaching information
retrieval skills and promoting reading to pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9 and offers induction sessions
and research based lessons to other classes by arrangement.
An extensive archive of material relating to the
school and its former pupils and staff has been collected over the past 25 years. This is available
to present members of the school and to former pupils and other interested parties by
appointment
The library also houses the careers office and
library, which offers a collection of literature on different careers as well as higher &
further education prospectuses.
Availability
The library aims to be central to the teaching and
learning of the whole school community – students, staff (both teaching and non-teaching), and Old
Colfeians. There are study places for up to 100 and the library is open all day, until 6pm (4.30pm
on Friday). The Library Assistant supervises a homework session "After Hours" after school
Monday to Thursday. Sixth formers have supervised private study periods to encourage good working
habits.
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