Library Resource Centre
The centre is based in a pleasant, airy room in the main building of the College and has ample study space for both private study and group work. It is open to students and staff all day, every day providing them with a range of fiction, up to date non-fiction and access to reliable electronic information services. The stock reflects the information and leisure needs of the students and staff and new stock is constantly being reviewed and developed. The qualified Librarian assists students in developing the independent learning skills that they need to succeed at University and in employment. Students are encouraged to read a range of fiction that will help them to develop their English language skills.
Stock includes:
- A range of classical and contemporary teen and adult titles
- Graded readers for students learning and improving their English language skills
- Graphic novels and manga
- Non-fiction to support all of the subjects taught in the College
- Non-fiction for leisure reading
- Dictionaries and other relevant reference books
Information Services include:
- Access to reliable, up to date subscription databases including general reference databases and subject specific databases
- Access to electronic journals , including Philip Allan Magazines for A level students
- Information Resource sheets for A level students detailing recommended electronic and book resources
- Teaching independent learning skills – how to search and retrieve accurate, up to date information and evaluate and cite it
- Advice on study skills and plagiarism
Other Services include:
- Book Group for staff and students. The group meets at a lunch time during the term. Members shadow national book awards, including the Man Booker Award and read books for pleasure.
- Author and speaker programme. In 2012/13 a local author ran creative writing workshops, there was a Manga event and workshop for art students. There was also the opportunity for students to attend author events at other local schools. Access students visited and used the facilities at The University of Reading Library.
- Celebrating World Book Day, National Poetry Day and World Book Night. The College was an institutional giver for World Book Night 2013
The future
- The Library catalogue will be computerized during the 2013/14 academic year onto a new state of the art Library Management System. This will allow students and staff 24 hour access to the library catalogue and electronic services.
- The Library is developing its ebook provision and hopes to offer students access to an ebook platform in 2014.