NOVEMBER 2013

What a lovely first half term I have had at Stowmarket Middle School. I think everyone has met me now, mainly on the last day before half term when you all heard there were sweets in the Library! I’ve said many times that the Library is changing and this is a constant process. This month we are looking at Pupil Librarians, the structure of breaks times in the Library and the results of Readathon.

Pupil Librarians

To everyone that has helped in the Library over the last half term I thank you very much. You have made it very easy for me to settle in and everyone has been very helpful, respectful and kind to me. However, it’s time to bring a little more structure to the Library so the process to ‘hire’ Pupil Librarians begins this week! Just like a real job there will be an application form to fill out, a ‘job’ interview and then a training program. I am looking for a total of 10 Pupil Librarians – 2 from each of Years 5, 6 & 7 and 4 from Year 8. This means of course that not everyone who has been helping will be able to officially help in the future. I’m very sorry in advance to those that won’t make Pupil Librarians this term but the more applications I have the more people I have in reserve for the future.

Applications will be available from the Library on Friday 8 th November and completed forms need to be back with me by Wednesday 13 th November. Any received after Wednesday won’t count this time so make sure you get them in on time!

It is important that those wanting to be Pupil Librarians are doing it for the RIGHT reason! You will need to commit to 2 break times, 2 lunchtimes and 1 before school (8.30am) session every week. You will be needed in the Library EVERY day at some point so it ’s important to make sure that you have the time and enthusiasm to commit to this. You must be interested in books, reading and the Library itself and I am looking for pupils that enjoy the Library, have enjoyed the changes so far and want to help me make even more changes over the next term!

After the applications have all been received I will then be interviewing those pupils that I think could be suitable and deciding on my final 10 from there so by the end of November at the very latest we will start training.

Busy Days & Quiet Times

I can always tell when it is raining outside because the Library gets absolutely packed at lunchtime! I am here on my own at break and lunch and I have had quite a few days now where there have simply been far too many of you in the Library for me to supervise you as well as I’d like. As of Monday 11 th November I have no choice but to put a limit on the number of people in this room at break and lunch times. Access to the library when it is full will be a one in, one out process. This will be monitored at the door by myself and designated pupils that I choose for this job so please respect this new rule and the people enforcing it.

Having enjoyed the new Library this last half term, you have all had an opportunity to see what’s on offer. We have lots of games, colouring, computers, not forgetting all the wonderful books! Now we’ve all settled back in it’s time to increase the quiet days in the Library so those that want to read and work quietly have enough opportunity in the week to do so. Therefore from next week, MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY will be QUIET days. The games will still be available to those that want them as will colouring and computers. Homework takes priority for computer users, no crowds should be gathering to watch people playing games and I expect the noise level to stay VERY LOW on these 3 days. As for Tuesday and Thursday, the noise level should still be appropriate for a Library so quite low, but I don’t expect silence! This increase in quiet time will help me greatly and I appreciate all of you being respectful of the new regime. If the noise levels become too high then the Library WILL close early – you have been warned!

Readathon

Sponsorship is beginning to roll in from your efforts with Readathon over half term and already we have raised an impressive amount. I will let everyone know the final total when everything has been collected but a big well done to everyone that took part – you have raised money for some really worthwhile charities and you should be very proud of yourselves. Those still to collect sponsorship – it needs to be in by Friday please.

November in the Library

I hate to say it but Christmas is not far away! I would like the library to be heaving with Christmas spirit by December so I will be putting out some decorations for you all to colour in and some other bits and bobs to make and decorate the Library with. There are also lots of lovely patterns that you have been colouring for me and when I have enough I will display them all along the walls as part of our effort to carry on brightening the room .

The Library finally has a motto! Some of you may have noticed it already but next time you’re in the library have a look at the back wall and you will see 3 banners – simple rules for the Library and for life in general!