The library is centrally located in Bearnageeha House and is one of the main attractions in the College.

 

Developing a ‘love for reading’ in all our pupils is a key objective. Every pupil at Key Stage 3 has a formal library period scheduled on his timetable.

 

The library is open to all pupils pre-school, breaktime and lunchtime. In addition to borrowing books, students are welcome to come along to read, peruse the shelves, research specific topics or complete course work. A fully qualified librarian is on hand to help individual pupils or to assist class teachers with students groups.

All pupils in the junior school are taught library skills enabling them to make the most of any library they wish to visit. Some of our older pupils act as assistant librarians and help with all the operations of the school library. The ‘Home Work Club’ based in the College Library operates each day for approximately one hour after school.

The library is the centre for various reading schemes which operate in the school. Volunteer parents and members of the local community assist with our paired reading schemes. We are indebted to them! Students working at Key Stages 3 and 4 can, and do, use the library for various projects. The library is an essential source of information for both GNVQ and ‘A’ Level students.

Computer facilities, including CD-ROM and supervised internet access are also available for student use, as are daily newspapers, updated selected magazines and periodicals - all facilitating research across a wide range of subjects.

In St. Patrick’s we consider reading to be central to progress in all subjects and we continually strive to improve the facilities and also the use made of the library by the pupils. For the increasing numbers who use the library, it is a pleasant place in which to learn.