Library
Mission
The mission of the Cardinal Wiseman Library is to provide students and staff with the skills to access and use ideas and information. We aim to achieve this in two ways, first by being a place where recreational reading is promoted, encouraged and supported and secondly, by providing a Library that supports the school’s curriculum. The Librarians strive not only to develop a community of passionate readers but also to uphold the school’s philosophy of instilling a life-long love of learning.
Online Catalogue
This is the link to the Library online.
It gives access to the OPAC (Online public access to our library catalogue). You may search the catalogue without having to provide login details. There are instructions on the search page.
Staffing
The Library staff consists of two Librarians and a Library Assistant. They are ably assisted by a happy band of student volunteers.
FAQs
- Who runs the Library?
- When is the Library open?
- What sort of material does the Library stock?
- Do I need a library card?
- How many books may I take out at one time?
- How long is the loan period?
- What happens if I forget to bring back a book on time?
- I’ve lost a library book, what should I do?
- Do I need to book a computer?
- What are the Library rules?
1. Who runs the Library?
The Librarians are:-
- Mrs McKenzie B.Sc., MLS, MCLIP, MA
- Ms Knight Cert. Ed., BA (Hons), MA
- Mr. M. Gallagher Studying for a B.Mus
2. When is the Library open?
The Library is open from 08:00-08:50 then from 09:10-16:00
3. What sort of material does the Library stock?
The Library has a wonderful range of fiction suitable for the youngest member of the Wiseman community to the oldest.
The Library also has a collection of information books and journals which support students’ independent research.
The Library's full catalogue is available online
4. Do I need a library card?
No, we issue books without using a library card.
5. How many books may I take out at one time?
You may take out one information book and two fiction books at any one time.
6. How long is the loan period?
The loan period is four weeks.
7. What happens if I forget to take a book back on time?
We do not charge fines but you will not be able to borrow anything else until the overdue item is returned.
8. I’ve lost a library book, what should I do?
Don’t panic! Speak to one of the Librarians as soon as possible. Most books are not lost, they are merely mislaid. However if you cannot find the book you will have to pay for it. The responsibility for paying for a lost book belongs to the person to whom it was issued.
9. Do I need to book a computer?
You do not need to book a computer but you must always ask the Librarians for permission to use one.
10. What are the Library rules?
You should respect other users.
You should observe the school’s Code of Conduct.
You may bring a bottle of water into the Library as long as you are careful with it. You may not bring in any other food or drink.
Style and Study Guides
The Library has a basic style and study guide for Y11 and an extended guide for Sixth Form. These are given to students at the beginning of Y11 and Y12. You may access these at the bottom of this page.
Please note that, amongst a plethora of useful information, there are detailed instructions as to how to set up a bibliography in the Sixth Form Guide.
Booklists and Reading
The Librarians regularly produce fiction booklists for students, please follow links at the bottom of the page. These booklists are updated on an annual basis.
The Librarians organise different book groups. We shadow the Carnegie Award and are founder members of the annual Ealing Readers’ Award (ERA).
The Library has set up a Battle of the Books, an annual reading challenge for Years 10 to 13.
The Library hosts a Y7 Book Club, a Graphic Novel Club and an Upper School Book Group. These are led by members of the school teaching staff.
For more information about any of these activities, please speak to one of the Librarians.
Booklists and 'Style and Study Guides'
These can be downloaded here: