Kent College Library is a large and welcoming space filled with books suitable for our whole school community, from older pupils undertaking research to younger pupils simply looking for a good book to read. In addition we offer a wide range of educational magazines, four daily newspapers, audio-books and a large number of DVDs. To enthuse our reluctant readers, or for those whose native language is not English, we have a selection of graphic books. Also available are ‘dyslexia friendly’ books from specialist publishers, but by authors you are likely to recognise.
The Library subscribes to several online resources that are accessible to all students, including JSTOR, which is a very valuable source of information for research. An e-book platform is also proving popular with our students. The Library catalogue (OPAC) can be accessed from anywhere, and students can reserve books themselves.
The Library is the main research centre for the Extended Essay, an important part of the IB Diploma. The Librarian, Mrs Register, acts as EE Coordinator and ensures that students do not get behind with their work thanks to close contacts with the subject supervisors.
All Year 7 students receive a Library induction in September, during which they are encouraged to borrow books on a regular basis. They are also shown how to access the OPAC and how to sign up to the e-book platform. English teachers frequently bring their Y7 classes to the Library for silent reading sessions that also give them the opportunity to discover and borrow our latest titles. During lesson time, the Library becomes a quiet study area for Year 12 students.
The Library organises author visits every year, which gives students the invaluable experience of meeting writers, and asking them questions. Visitors have included William Nicholson, Marcus Sedgwick, Chris Bradford, Alan Gibbons and Lucy Strange – an English teacher at Kent College who has published three children’s books so far - The Secret of Nightingale Wood in 2016, Our Castle By The Sea in 2019 and The Ghost of Gosswater in 2020.
For World Book Day, in March, the Library usually organises a book fair. A local independent bookshop provides us with a selection of books and students are allowed to use their World Book Day vouchers toward their purchases.
A team of students from different year groups assist with the running of the Library during morning and lunchtime breaks.
Library opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4:30pm
Librarian: Mrs Register - iregister@kentcollege.co.uk
Library Assistant: Mrs Haycock (also in charge of the Junior School Library) - dhaycock@kentcollege.co.uk
Have a question?
If you would like to discuss details of your child's care with us, send us a message and we will gladly answer your questions.