The Library
"The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who
cannot read them."
Mark Twain
"The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who
cannot read them."
Mark Twain
Photo Batey
Situated above the entrance to the School via the steps where our many School photos were taken, the library centred itself over the Head's study, and the office where Miss Blake worked. The door into the library was to the left of the Homework Pigeonholes; opposite Miss Smith's office, and the male and female Staffroom doors. According to Terry McCroakam, the library was converted to a Staff Room when the school became Comprehensive. It must have been an interesting change to a mixed-sex facility for those long-serving members of Staff who had only ever occupied the male or the female Staffrooms. I wonder how their behaviour changed? Anyway, I never saw this, so my memories are of a squeaky wooden floor, several large wooden tables, bench seats within the windows with shutters, and an overwhelming sense of cosiness and pleasant sunlight. We had 'Library Periods' during our Upper School days, when given homework could be researched and completed. This was the time when one could meet friends from the other forms who didn't necessarily take the same subjects. There were usually appeals for "Quiet!" until we all settled down, and the continuation of this rested on the control of the teacher who sat at the desk to the right of the door against the far wall. It was a novelty to sit facing, and sideways-on to other pupils, as in normal classroom lessons the desks were arranged in rows facing the teacher at the front - except, that is, in the smaller groups of the Sixth Forms. Each pupil had a library ticket (or maybe more) and when one wished to borrow a book, there was an after-school period of time when the Library Prefects were on hand to lodge the ticket from the book into your named card/ticket, and you were given a specified length of time for the loan. The Library Prefects, usually Fifth-formers, also catalogued new books, and kept an eye on repairs, stocktaking and overdue loans, and prepared an annual report for publication in the School Magazine. The main drawback to concentration in the library was the pleasant view from the four windows. A selection of mature trees and colourful shrubs set in the land which sloped away down to the distant road, guaranteed interest and movement whatever the season, but as the front of the school was away from playgrounds and classrooms, it was the tranquillity and peacefulness which encouraged reverie. Let's hope the Staff enjoyed it too, while they could!
Sheila Kelsall
Sheila Kelsall
Library Prefects through the Sixties
1959-60
This year Mr. Hassall has taken charge of the library following the departure of Mr. Bulley, but the pattern of the work of the library remains the same. Nearly two hundred new books have been purchased and in addition there have been quite a few donations of books which are greatly appreciated. The library continues to be well used on the whole, with the Junior forms maintaining their reputation of being good borrowers, both from the school and the County Library sections. On the whole the senior school has borrowed relatively few books apart from those required for particular subjects. We would remind the members of the Sixth that there are many books, both fiction and non-fiction, purchased for their use, and would remind the rest of the School that many books on the subject shelves are intended for them.
Joan Foster, Pat Stollard, Catherine Dooley and Pat Miles. 5A.
This year Mr. Hassall has taken charge of the library following the departure of Mr. Bulley, but the pattern of the work of the library remains the same. Nearly two hundred new books have been purchased and in addition there have been quite a few donations of books which are greatly appreciated. The library continues to be well used on the whole, with the Junior forms maintaining their reputation of being good borrowers, both from the school and the County Library sections. On the whole the senior school has borrowed relatively few books apart from those required for particular subjects. We would remind the members of the Sixth that there are many books, both fiction and non-fiction, purchased for their use, and would remind the rest of the School that many books on the subject shelves are intended for them.
Joan Foster, Pat Stollard, Catherine Dooley and Pat Miles. 5A.
1960-61
Nine hundred books a term are borrowed from the fiction and general sections of the library, and this fairly reflects its popularity. This figure does, however, conceal a marked lack of borrowing by Fourth and Fifth forms. This year over one hundred and fifty new books have been added to the various sections and there are plenty of books to interest not only the junior forms but also the middle school. We congratulate the juniors on giving such good support and we hope that as they rise through the school their support will continue. There are numerous magazines, catering for most interests, and the new magazine “Knowledge” is proving a great favourite. One disturbing feature this year has been the tendency to keep books out longer than the time allowed. We hope that borrowers will be more considerate next year. We extend our thanks to Mr. Hassall for all the work he has put into the running of the library.
Ingrid Beresford, Ann Brown, Jean Gillian and Jacqueline James. 5A.
Nine hundred books a term are borrowed from the fiction and general sections of the library, and this fairly reflects its popularity. This figure does, however, conceal a marked lack of borrowing by Fourth and Fifth forms. This year over one hundred and fifty new books have been added to the various sections and there are plenty of books to interest not only the junior forms but also the middle school. We congratulate the juniors on giving such good support and we hope that as they rise through the school their support will continue. There are numerous magazines, catering for most interests, and the new magazine “Knowledge” is proving a great favourite. One disturbing feature this year has been the tendency to keep books out longer than the time allowed. We hope that borrowers will be more considerate next year. We extend our thanks to Mr. Hassall for all the work he has put into the running of the library.
Ingrid Beresford, Ann Brown, Jean Gillian and Jacqueline James. 5A.
1961-62
Change has been the keyword for much of this year’s work in the library. Various sections including the French, Biography and General shelves, have been moved from shelf to shelf and back again, causing a certain amount of confusion but leading, we hope, to a more efficient arrangement. Much to the disgust of the conservative-minded members of the Sixth form, the tables have been moved round to give easier access to the shelves. ‘How old is the moon?’ This was one of the questions in the ‘Knowledge Quiz’ organised for First and Second forms. The answer is, of course, four and a half billion years, as Foster (Romans) so ably found out; he received a book token for his pains. Tate, 2C, the runner-up, nearly found the right answer. This year we have been hard at work entering and backing new books. We have received twice as many books as in any other year, and all the sections have benefitted. We have also received a new set of the ‘Encyclopaedia Britannica’, kindly given by Mrs. Penlington in memory of her late husband, a former governor of the School. To make room for the new books, the fiction shelves have been thoroughly purged; no longer does ‘Nettie’s Last Mission’ grace our shelves! With special displays being arranged regularly, borrowing in the County Library section has trebled. We have been able to label these displays more effectively now that we have acquired a display board with movable coloured letters. Overall it has been a good year, with all forms borrowing above their usual standard. We thank Mr. Hassall for his help and patience, and hope that next year’s Library Prefects will enjoy themselves as much as we have done.
Christine Kenyon, Angela Sharpe, Nova Websdale and Elizabeth Horsefield. 5A.
Change has been the keyword for much of this year’s work in the library. Various sections including the French, Biography and General shelves, have been moved from shelf to shelf and back again, causing a certain amount of confusion but leading, we hope, to a more efficient arrangement. Much to the disgust of the conservative-minded members of the Sixth form, the tables have been moved round to give easier access to the shelves. ‘How old is the moon?’ This was one of the questions in the ‘Knowledge Quiz’ organised for First and Second forms. The answer is, of course, four and a half billion years, as Foster (Romans) so ably found out; he received a book token for his pains. Tate, 2C, the runner-up, nearly found the right answer. This year we have been hard at work entering and backing new books. We have received twice as many books as in any other year, and all the sections have benefitted. We have also received a new set of the ‘Encyclopaedia Britannica’, kindly given by Mrs. Penlington in memory of her late husband, a former governor of the School. To make room for the new books, the fiction shelves have been thoroughly purged; no longer does ‘Nettie’s Last Mission’ grace our shelves! With special displays being arranged regularly, borrowing in the County Library section has trebled. We have been able to label these displays more effectively now that we have acquired a display board with movable coloured letters. Overall it has been a good year, with all forms borrowing above their usual standard. We thank Mr. Hassall for his help and patience, and hope that next year’s Library Prefects will enjoy themselves as much as we have done.
Christine Kenyon, Angela Sharpe, Nova Websdale and Elizabeth Horsefield. 5A.
1962-63
This year began with stocktaking in the Fiction section of the library. The shelves and catalogues were thoroughly checked and many old books were removed, as well as a great deal of dust! There is now a rapidly growing selection of both Junior and Senior fiction and it is to be hoped that even more members of the school will take advantage of the opportunities offered to them. After this disruption, lasting a month or so during the first term of the year, the library settled down to a more peaceful routine. The display cabinet and board, new since last year, have effectively proved their worth, many new borrowers being attracted by their eye-catching contents. Most forms have maintained a consistently high standard of borrowing, though there is still a tendency for our third form customers to lose interest. However, many of them do return, when pressed, for a wider knowledge of their fourth form syllabus. An exchange of County Library books was welcomed by our borrowers, though we are afraid even this failed to quench the thirst of first and second boys for spine-chilling Science Fiction books! The Holiday Quiz composed by the Sixth Form in aid of the Campaign for Famine Relief kept us busy. The eager entrants of the competition flocked into the library during the last week of the Spring Term, seeking the answers. Though we have acquired many new books, lots of the “old faithfuls” still remain, with equal popularity; though it may be slightly disconcerting to note our ‘best seller’, as it were, was entitled “Opportunities for School Leavers”. We would like to thank Mr. Hassall for his guidance over the past year; and we hope our successors gain as much pleasure from their work as Library Prefects as we have done.
Ruth Horn, Susan Holder, Katherine Greasley and Sandra Round. 5A
This year began with stocktaking in the Fiction section of the library. The shelves and catalogues were thoroughly checked and many old books were removed, as well as a great deal of dust! There is now a rapidly growing selection of both Junior and Senior fiction and it is to be hoped that even more members of the school will take advantage of the opportunities offered to them. After this disruption, lasting a month or so during the first term of the year, the library settled down to a more peaceful routine. The display cabinet and board, new since last year, have effectively proved their worth, many new borrowers being attracted by their eye-catching contents. Most forms have maintained a consistently high standard of borrowing, though there is still a tendency for our third form customers to lose interest. However, many of them do return, when pressed, for a wider knowledge of their fourth form syllabus. An exchange of County Library books was welcomed by our borrowers, though we are afraid even this failed to quench the thirst of first and second boys for spine-chilling Science Fiction books! The Holiday Quiz composed by the Sixth Form in aid of the Campaign for Famine Relief kept us busy. The eager entrants of the competition flocked into the library during the last week of the Spring Term, seeking the answers. Though we have acquired many new books, lots of the “old faithfuls” still remain, with equal popularity; though it may be slightly disconcerting to note our ‘best seller’, as it were, was entitled “Opportunities for School Leavers”. We would like to thank Mr. Hassall for his guidance over the past year; and we hope our successors gain as much pleasure from their work as Library Prefects as we have done.
Ruth Horn, Susan Holder, Katherine Greasley and Sandra Round. 5A
1963-64
This year has been another busy one in the School Library, the school as a whole using the library quite regularly. Fourth and Fifth form borrowing leaves much to be desired, however, but as this year’s Third formers have been among our most consistent borrowers, next year even this position may improve. We wish that the First-form pupils could distinguish between County Library and School Library books (the latter usually have shabby backs!) as this would save both time and energy. Much money is spent on newspapers and magazines and we feel that more pupils would visit the library to read them if they were aware of the wide range which is offered. So, with the editor’s permission, a list of the newspapers and periodicals is appended to this report. We have valued the experience of being library prefects and would like to thank Mr. Hassall for all his help.
Daily Herald, Design, Good Housekeeping
Yorkshire Post, Pictorial Education, Ideal Home
The Guardian, Acta Diurna, Times Review of Industry
History Today, Esperanto magazine
The Geographical Magazine, Linguist, Woodworker
Punch, La France, Scientific American
Knowledge, Musical Times
World Sports, Rugby World, Music and Musicians
Studio, Critical Quarterly
Margaret Beaumont, Gillian Hanson, Janice Hanwell, H. Round and A. Turner.
This year has been another busy one in the School Library, the school as a whole using the library quite regularly. Fourth and Fifth form borrowing leaves much to be desired, however, but as this year’s Third formers have been among our most consistent borrowers, next year even this position may improve. We wish that the First-form pupils could distinguish between County Library and School Library books (the latter usually have shabby backs!) as this would save both time and energy. Much money is spent on newspapers and magazines and we feel that more pupils would visit the library to read them if they were aware of the wide range which is offered. So, with the editor’s permission, a list of the newspapers and periodicals is appended to this report. We have valued the experience of being library prefects and would like to thank Mr. Hassall for all his help.
Daily Herald, Design, Good Housekeeping
Yorkshire Post, Pictorial Education, Ideal Home
The Guardian, Acta Diurna, Times Review of Industry
History Today, Esperanto magazine
The Geographical Magazine, Linguist, Woodworker
Punch, La France, Scientific American
Knowledge, Musical Times
World Sports, Rugby World, Music and Musicians
Studio, Critical Quarterly
Margaret Beaumont, Gillian Hanson, Janice Hanwell, H. Round and A. Turner.
1964-65
This year Mr. Murray has taken charge of the library following the departure of Mr. Hassall, but the work in the library has remained much the same as in previous years. Small changes have occurred though these, we are sure, have passed unnoticed by most of the school. The magazines have, as usual, been in great demand and the new magazines, Understanding Science and “Paris Match”, have been particularly well received. Despite vain efforts by Mr. Murray, the Sixth Form continue to leave the magazines lying around rather than put them back in the rack. This year about two hundred new books have been added to the various sections, which will interest the junior forms as well as the senior. Our most consistent borrowers have been the first formers although the whole of the school has maintained a fairly high standard of borrowing. Books have, on the whole, been returned promptly and we hope that the borrowers next year will he as considerate as they have been this year. We extend our thanks to Mr. Murray for all the work he has put into the running of the library.
Judith Bancroft, Margaret Howarth, Maureen Jones and Margaret Preece. 5A
This year Mr. Murray has taken charge of the library following the departure of Mr. Hassall, but the work in the library has remained much the same as in previous years. Small changes have occurred though these, we are sure, have passed unnoticed by most of the school. The magazines have, as usual, been in great demand and the new magazines, Understanding Science and “Paris Match”, have been particularly well received. Despite vain efforts by Mr. Murray, the Sixth Form continue to leave the magazines lying around rather than put them back in the rack. This year about two hundred new books have been added to the various sections, which will interest the junior forms as well as the senior. Our most consistent borrowers have been the first formers although the whole of the school has maintained a fairly high standard of borrowing. Books have, on the whole, been returned promptly and we hope that the borrowers next year will he as considerate as they have been this year. We extend our thanks to Mr. Murray for all the work he has put into the running of the library.
Judith Bancroft, Margaret Howarth, Maureen Jones and Margaret Preece. 5A
1965-66
The Library year began with the sorting of books into the different sections. At the end of this task the books were in order, but alas that was many months ago. We then began backing and entering about 500 new books from which all the sections benefitted. We have had a few new magazines this year “The Climber”, “La France” and “Understanding Science”. We have also lost an old favourite “Punch”. Once again this year has shown our main borrowers to be the first forms, but the other forms keep having bursts of enthusiasm to visit the library. We do wish that the sixth forms could refrain from defacing the range of magazines, which are provided for reading and not for their artistic amusement. Apart from this the standard of the returned books has been good. We should like to thank Mrs. B. A. Ellis for the gift of the “Readers Digest Atlas of Great Britain”. We are sure the geography students will find it extremely interesting. We hope our successors enjoy their work in the library as much as we have and we would like to thank Mr. Murray for all the help he has given us during the year.
Joyce Barraclough, Janet Crow, Teresa Riley and Susan Tonge. 5A
The Library year began with the sorting of books into the different sections. At the end of this task the books were in order, but alas that was many months ago. We then began backing and entering about 500 new books from which all the sections benefitted. We have had a few new magazines this year “The Climber”, “La France” and “Understanding Science”. We have also lost an old favourite “Punch”. Once again this year has shown our main borrowers to be the first forms, but the other forms keep having bursts of enthusiasm to visit the library. We do wish that the sixth forms could refrain from defacing the range of magazines, which are provided for reading and not for their artistic amusement. Apart from this the standard of the returned books has been good. We should like to thank Mrs. B. A. Ellis for the gift of the “Readers Digest Atlas of Great Britain”. We are sure the geography students will find it extremely interesting. We hope our successors enjoy their work in the library as much as we have and we would like to thank Mr. Murray for all the help he has given us during the year.
Joyce Barraclough, Janet Crow, Teresa Riley and Susan Tonge. 5A
1966-67
During the past year the Library has, as usual, been patronised by eager first-formers and industrious though less eager sixth-formers. However, we have been pleased to note that more members of the middle school have taken an interest in the Library than previous years. At the beginning of the year, we entered numerous new books, catering for a wide range of ages and interests. Much money is spent on twenty or so magazines every month and we feel that these would be of more use to all if the Sixth Form would be more tidy and less artistic when they read them. We would like to thank Mr. Murray for all his help and hope that our successors enjoy their year’s work and value their experience.
Louise Armitage, Brenda Green, Anne Hancock, Joy Midgley, Lorraine Whittaker. 5A.
During the past year the Library has, as usual, been patronised by eager first-formers and industrious though less eager sixth-formers. However, we have been pleased to note that more members of the middle school have taken an interest in the Library than previous years. At the beginning of the year, we entered numerous new books, catering for a wide range of ages and interests. Much money is spent on twenty or so magazines every month and we feel that these would be of more use to all if the Sixth Form would be more tidy and less artistic when they read them. We would like to thank Mr. Murray for all his help and hope that our successors enjoy their year’s work and value their experience.
Louise Armitage, Brenda Green, Anne Hancock, Joy Midgley, Lorraine Whittaker. 5A.
Thoughts in the Library Study Area, late on a Friday Afternoon
From the School Magazine (Insight) 1968
Why is Friday considered by everybody to be a time for being fed-up, a time for sitting back and doing nothing, a time for gently nodding off in Latin lessons and waiting for the sweet dulcet tones of the four o'clock bell? Let us, on this Friday afternoon, probe this drastic social phenomenon which has hurled itself before us. As you well know, Friday is the culmination of a busy, fruitful and hectic week in which we have played our part in fostering English school life. We feel, as any self-respecting English workman should feel, that the week ends at approximately 12-20 p.m. on a Friday afternoon; the remainder of the day is spent waiting for the bell, dreaming of the weekend, waiting for the bell and -- well -- waiting for that damned bell! Now, my readers, one and all, as I see it, there is much to be learned about our society from human endeavour on a Friday afternoon. We are, it is plain to see, quite incapable of pouring out our energies to the last. We have always to stumble at the last hurdle, when the winning post is just in sight. Now, dearly beloved, how much better a sight that last winning post would be if we had jumped that last hurdle without faltering, don't you agree? Need I say more? I put it to you! Unaccustomed as I am to public writing, I ask you, should Friday afternoons be periods of dexterity, thriftiness, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera, or should they be abolished altogether? Should 12-21 p.m. on a Friday be officially proclaimed Saturday? Children, I fear I am being flippant, frivolous even, on this hot, stuffy Friday afternoon. Even now verily, as I am writing my proclamation for public circulation, I am surrounded by talkers, babblers and snorers in this beautiful library study area so generously and thoughtfully given to us. I have spoken; I am having a snooze before being faced with the long, LONG straight to the winning post - the Geography lesson!!
Dyson, W., L6A . . . sleep.
From the School Magazine (Insight) 1968
Why is Friday considered by everybody to be a time for being fed-up, a time for sitting back and doing nothing, a time for gently nodding off in Latin lessons and waiting for the sweet dulcet tones of the four o'clock bell? Let us, on this Friday afternoon, probe this drastic social phenomenon which has hurled itself before us. As you well know, Friday is the culmination of a busy, fruitful and hectic week in which we have played our part in fostering English school life. We feel, as any self-respecting English workman should feel, that the week ends at approximately 12-20 p.m. on a Friday afternoon; the remainder of the day is spent waiting for the bell, dreaming of the weekend, waiting for the bell and -- well -- waiting for that damned bell! Now, my readers, one and all, as I see it, there is much to be learned about our society from human endeavour on a Friday afternoon. We are, it is plain to see, quite incapable of pouring out our energies to the last. We have always to stumble at the last hurdle, when the winning post is just in sight. Now, dearly beloved, how much better a sight that last winning post would be if we had jumped that last hurdle without faltering, don't you agree? Need I say more? I put it to you! Unaccustomed as I am to public writing, I ask you, should Friday afternoons be periods of dexterity, thriftiness, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera, or should they be abolished altogether? Should 12-21 p.m. on a Friday be officially proclaimed Saturday? Children, I fear I am being flippant, frivolous even, on this hot, stuffy Friday afternoon. Even now verily, as I am writing my proclamation for public circulation, I am surrounded by talkers, babblers and snorers in this beautiful library study area so generously and thoughtfully given to us. I have spoken; I am having a snooze before being faced with the long, LONG straight to the winning post - the Geography lesson!!
Dyson, W., L6A . . . sleep.
Photo Batey