Learning and Resources
The new library, which opened in September 2021, offers over 300 linear metres of open book shelving and a multimedia area giving access to multiple online resources. Breakout seminar spaces with video conferencing facilities will allow for meetings both onsite and with schools and organisations across the globe through our Global Connections programme. A single storey glass foyer links to the redesigned Assembly Hall.
Canford is committed to a development programme which improves and modernises our buildings and facilities for the benefit of both our current pupils and staff and for those in the future, fitting very much with our school vision of enabling our school community to explore, to express and to excel. The new library is the latest in a series of projects and offers a modern, spacious teaching and learning facility combined with the technology to take advantage of academic expertise across the globe.
Headmaster ben vessey
The Building
Canford School Library underwent a relocation in 2021, when the new building was completed. Student and staff benefit from several bookable rooms, including small meeting rooms to larger conference spaces, all equipped with screens and whiteboard facilities for collaborative work. The main library space is a bright open-plan space with flexible IT facilities and generous workspace.
In the central courtyard area of the new Library is Lady Charlotte’s Walk, named in memory of Lady Charlotte Guest, wife of the owner of Canford Manor John Josiah Guest who became a leading figure in the study of literature. The Walk is edged in engraved stones sponsored by Canford OCs and parents in support of the Martin Marriott Foundation for bursaries. Find out more here:
The Collections
The library has a total centralised catalogue of over 22,000 titles, just over 13,000 of which are in the building itself, with other collections situated around site: in departments, boarding houses and the Old Library. The library stock is comprised of roughly 30% Fiction, 70% Non-Fiction.
This stock is evaluated and updated annually to best support the needs of the school, including the school’s commitment to EDI.
The library subscribes to over 25 print and online subscriptions. Alongside the physical collection, the library has a collection of over 500 E-books and audiobooks hosted on Sora, which is accessible for students or staff on any device.
The library has excellent links with the local public library services who have substantial collections and resources of their own.
Book boxes are also sent to houses annually to allow easy access to books for reading for pleasure, working alongside the biweekly reading times for lower school pupils. Shell book boxes are circulated once a term, providing a selection of 25 books per house on different themes as part of a House competition.
School resource
The library is open to all pupils and is there to support students and staff in their academic endeavours as well as to encourage reading for pleasure with the aim of creating lifelong readers.
The library plays an important role in the school’s Information Literacy provision, leading sessions for the EPQ cohorts, feeder schools and department specific projects.
The library also runs both staff and pupil book clubs, with ties to The Bourne Academy.
Every year the library helps to organise talks and competitions for events such as, World Book Day, National Poetry Day, Black History Month, LGBTQ+ History Month, International Women’s Day, Holocaust Memorial Day and many more.
A warm welcome from the Library team
V Jones – Librarian
J Bichard – Assistant Librarian
H Vessey – Library Assistant
J Jeffery – Library Assistant
Library Information
The library is open between the below times:
| Day | Time |
|---|---|
| Monday | 8:30 - 21:00 |
| Tuesday | 8:30 - 21:00 |
| Wednesday | 8:30 - 21:00 |
| Thursday | 8.30 - 21:00 |
| Friday | 8.30 - 21:00 |
| Saturday | 8.30 - 13:00 |
“I love it! It's a really peaceful space to work in.”
Canford Sixth Form pupil
Canford School Library
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