The Library
Welcome to the Loreto College's Beautiful Library!
Located in the historic Teresa Ball building at the heart of our school, Loreto’s beautiful library is a welcoming and nurturing space where pupils and staff can read, study and relax.
“The library has inspired me to have a massive love for reading and I will continue to read over the summer and the following years to come.” (Year 8 pupil)
Opening Hours
- Monday @ 8:15-16:15
- Tuesday to Friday @ 8:00–16:15
General Information
Pupils automatically become library members when they join Loreto. The library has a diverse range of fiction and non-fiction books (including graphic novels, biographies, and short stories) as well as other resources such as magazines, games, mindfulness activities and computers for academic learning and accessing the library catalogue.
Pupils can check out two books at a time and the loan period is 3 weeks. Reminders are emailed a few days before the book is due back, and overdue reminders are emailed weekly. There is a fine for books returned late - 5p per day per book. Books can be renewed in person or from any mobile device using the Accessit Web App - more details below.
Library Catalogue
Pupils have online access to their personal library account and the library catalogue through Accessit Library, which allows them to:
- Search the library catalogue
- Check the status of current loans
- Renew and reserve books
- Write reviews
They can log in from any device using their school email and password: ACCESSIT LINK
A helpful video How to use the Accessit Library Web App features on the Accessit home page.
Pupil Development & Volunteering Opportunities
Library Ambassadors
Library Monitors
Our librarian welcomes the support of her library monitors. Pupils are shown how to issue and return books, shelve books correctly and take care of a certain part of the library. This is greatly enjoyed by the pupils, and they really benefit from this opportunity to develop their skills. Pupils in Year 8 and above are invited to apply for the role.
Pupils can apply to help with on special library projects for the volunteering section of their DoE Bronze Award.
Improving Mental Health Through Reading
Just 6 Minutes!
According to research carried out by the University of Sussex in 2009, reading fiction for just six minutes lowers stress level by 68%, more than listening to music, going for a walk, and having a cup of tea.
In recognition of this, twice a year (World Mental Health Day in October and Mental Health Awareness Week in May), all lessons start with six minutes of silently reading fiction.
“I really enjoyed having the 6-minute reading time before each lesson because it really helped calm my mental health for a bit especially a week before exams!” (Year 10 pupil)
“I found that reading for six minutes before each lesson was really useful in helping me to ground myself and relax before absorbing the vast abundance of information in the lesson ahead. It helped me to clear my mind of all the stressors of A-Levels and thus allowed me to maximise lesson time, rather than focusing on other worries of deadlines or exams.” (Year 13 pupil)
Giant Book Club!
Pupils are encouraged to read widely, and each year one book is chosen for the whole school to read and enjoy - in effect, the whole school becomes a giant book club!
Recent titles include Jane Eyre abridged by Patrice Lawrence (Classic Literature), Breaking Down the Wall by Maximillan Jones (Historical Adventure), I Have No Secrets by Penny Joelson (Thriller). Badges are given to pupils who read the book and write a review or answer a quiz.
“I admired the way Jane overcame all her struggles and all the obstacles in her way to follow the path to happiness and romance. She is a great example of an inspirational woman as she exhibits resilience, care for others and is always true to herself. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it.” (Year 7 pupil)
And here is Hanna-Layla, who has achieved another first! She is the first pupil from Year 7 to earn all three Whole School Read (WHR) badges! Hanna-Layla said: "I enjoyed reading all three books, but my favourite book was definitely I Have No Secrets as I really like mystery books, and it's set out really well. It's now one of my all-time favourite books!"
Recent Whole School Reads
Book Awards
Loreto takes part in several national and local book awards to help pupils develop their reading and diversify the range of genres they read.
Book Awards
Carnegie Medal for Writing
Pupils in Years 8, 9 and 10 can take part in the prestigious Carnegie Awards by joining Loreto Carnegie Shadowing group. Shadowers (as they are known) are asked to read the shortlisted books (up to eight) and write two book reviews which are posted on the Carnegie website. This is a great way for the pupils to see their written work published, and to have fun discussing books. On awards day in June, pupils celebrate their hard work with other local schools by watching the live-streamed event.
“This is my second year participating in the Carnegie Shadowing team. I really enjoyed this year’s books because it opened me up to new style of writing: verse. Normally, I wouldn’t even think to open a verse book, but this year I really liked one.” (Year 9 pupil)
The Children’s Book Awards
Loreto is part of a testing group for the Children’s Book Awards, the only national book award voted on solely by young people and children. Pupils take part in both the longlist and shortlist voting by reading and rating books submitted by publishers.
Those who read all the shortlisted books attend an event with pupils from other local schools where they discuss the books, vote for their favourite, and take part in a creative writing workshop led by an award-winning author.
"The workshop really built my confidence in writing." (Year 7 pupil)
St Albans Schools Book Awards
Loreto is also involved in the St Albans Schools Book Awards. Pupils who read all shortlisted books attend an event with pupils from other local schools where they discuss the books, vote for their favourite, and take part in an author workshop.
Tasmin Winter, winner of the 2023 award for her book Girl (in real life) sent a lovely thank you letter in which she talks about the real-world power of books to transform lives and how grateful she was that her childhood was full of stories.
To read Tasmin Winter's letter, please click here.
Readathon
Every October, during Reading Week, pupils in years 7-9 are encouraged to read as much as they can and, if possible, get sponsored for their efforts. All money raised goes towards buying new books for seriously ill children in hospital. As pupils in years 10-13 have increased curriculum reading, they are encouraged to read fiction for just 6 minutes a day as one way to improve their mental health. Prizes are given to the top fundraisers in appreciation of their efforts.
Over the years, Loreto has raised more than £55,000 for Readathon!
Author Visits
We love inviting authors into school and aim to have several visits per year, especially during Reading Week and World Book Day. Author visits give pupils a chance to meet established writers and be inspired to explore their own creativity. Authors who have recently visited include Sarah Crossan, Tia Fisher, JJ Arcanjo, MA Bennett, RAP Poets Karl Nova and Kimba, Sue Wallman, Sarah Naughton and Penny Joelson.
Library - Author Visits
Non-Fiction November
One in five readers prefer non-fiction and every November we celebrate non-fiction books by holding a fun general knowledge quiz in the library every Friday lunchtime.
Loreto also enters a team into the Britannica What on Earth! Schools Challenge. Last year the team got through to the final in London – a fantastic achievement!
World Book Day
The library celebrates World Book Day every March with various activities designed to stimulate pupils’ interest in reading. Some years we hold a Big Booky Breakfast giant book sale with proceeds going to Lenten charity fundraising; other years we give away copies of the World Book Day books. Year 7 are allowed to dress up as their favourite book character and authors are also invited into school.
Other Fun Book-related Activities & Celebrations
The library hosts many other fun activities throughout the year, including:
National Poetry Day
Every October, we take part in National Poetry Day with pupils creating Blackout Poetry. Recent visits by RAP Poets Karl Nova and Kimba were a huge success!
Christmas Quiz & Crafts
We love Christmas and Years 7 & 8 can make creative Christmas crafts using old, recycled books. We also hold a fun Christmas quiz.
Library - Christmas and extras
Blind Date with a Book!
To celebrate Valentine’s Day, we offer pupils a Blind Date with a Book! This is very popular and a great way to expand the genres that pupils read.
Spotted Silently Reading Fiction
At the end of every term, one lucky pupil wins a £10 Book Token to spend on a book of their choice. The prize draw is free to enter. Pupils who are spotted silently reading their fiction book in the library at break, lunch or before/after school are given a raffle ticket that is entered into the end of term draw.
Lily & Beth 7J were 'Spotted Silently Reading Fiction' in the library at lunchtime.
Both are now in with a chance of winning a £10 Book Token at the end of term!
- Beth said: "I'm really enjoying reading the Lottie Brooks series - the books are so entertaining and funny."
- Lily: "Estie Noor is a great mystery with lots of twists and turns."
Mindful Activities
The library has a selection of games (including chess, scrabble and playing cards), colouring and other activities including origami and a puzzle table.
In the summer term, pupils make origami doves and cranes for the local JPIC group (Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation) which are given out to the public on Hiroshima Peace Day at the Abbey Peace Pillar in August. As well as marking this important day of peace, origami can teach many life lessons including perseverance & determination, accepting one’s mistakes & starting over, patience, and the ability to follow instructions.
Reading in Registration
Reading in Registration is offered to readers in Year 7 who would benefit from targeted interventions. They are paired with sixth form mentors who they read with on a weekly basis. Both year 7s and their mentors really enjoy this programme with the year 7s really developing their skills and confidence in reading. A book group is offered to pupils in year 8 who want to continue reading aloud.
The Library Showcase (2024-2025)
