Library newsletter

Most of Year 11s have returned their library books but there are still some students who need to bring their libray books back. I have contacted them individually, being respectful of their GCSEs, but if you could also help them with this, I would be grateful.

Our new student librarians have now been selected and are currently undertaking their training, ready to begin their roles independently in September. Our current Year 9 librarians are doing a wonderful job of mentoring the Year 8 students, helping them to become familiar with the library systems and routines. It has been fantastic to see such enthusiasm from everyone involved, and their confidence is already growing noticeably.

We had a fantastic turnout for our Earth Day Open Mic. Students read a wide range of poems and extracts around the theme of Nature and our Environment. Their passion and inerest in the natural world and the climate crisis is inspriing.

Use the links below to discover which books are up for the award of best book of the year. The judges use a wide range of criteria when choosing the shortlist and subsequent winner. All the shortlisted books are in the library and can be borrowed, age guidance permitting.

The Carnegies are the UK’s longest running and best-loved children’s book awards, recognising outstanding reading experiences created through writing and illustration in books for children and young people.

The Carnegie Medal for Writing is awarded by children’s librarians for an outstanding book written in English for children and young people.

BOOKDROP is a half-termly digital newsletter that supports reading for pleasure at home, encourages book chat, and introduces parents, carers and their children to the latest books, authors and illustrators. And the best part? It’s totally FREE!

Every year, West Sussex Public Libraries run a Summer Reading Challenge during the school holidays for younger children. They are looking for older students to help run the programme alongside library staff. Volunteering is open to young people aged 14 and over.

Full details are available via the links below.

Please don't apply via Oathall, direct all your enquires to your local public library.

This might be of particular interest to Year 8 students who are styudying the play this term.

A huge thank-you to all the families who generously donated books since the last newsletter. These contributions make a real difference—expanding our collection, supporting a love of reading, and ensuring every child can discover stories that inspire and excite them. Thank you for helping our library grow!

We also accept donations from home. We are always looking for copies of the Lottie Brooks, Twilight, The Hunger Games and Lord of the Rings series but please do not donate Diary of a Wimpy Kid or David Walliams books, we have plenty of those titles already in stock and lots of spares. If you are interested in donating to the library, here are some guidleines.

The books should be suitable for children aged 11-16, not older or younger.

They should be in good condition.

If we can't use them in the main library, that you consent to them being used around the school for other purposes.

Any questions, please email librarian@oathall.org

Are you looking for your next book? Look no further that The Winners and Runners-Up in The British Book Awards, known as The Nibbies, announced earlier this month.