Library

Welcome to St Catherine’s Senior School Library where ‘reading for pleasure’ and independent learning through purposeful private study are simultaneously encouraged by the large number of books available for loan and reference use.  There is also a collection of hard-copy magazines, as well as online Library resources available to students through our online Library system, ‘Oliver’.  The librarian is always happy to receive book recommendations and reservation requests, and provide support in finding information.  

Highlights in the Library calendar include ‘Book Week’, celebrating literature in all its diverse forms throughout the school, and the Librarians’ Literary lectures, a joint venture with the prep. School promoting books and authors to the pupils, thereby extending their ‘reading for pleasure’ choices.

The Library is open 7 days a week and staffed by the Senior School Librarian from 8:30-5.30pm Monday -Friday.    Pupils can borrow up to six books for 3 weeks. The Library is available to Day Girls after school for homework.

Do come and visit the library to see the resources available to the pupils whilst at St Catherine’s.

Our suggested reading lists for current parents can be found here.  

Equlity, Diversity and Inclusion. 
The Library aims to support the whole St. Catherine’s School community by providing a space that is inclusive and in which all feel valued and respected.   Collection development aims to create a diverse collection across both fiction and non-fiction, ensuring pupils feel that themselves, their lives, and the lives of those in the wider world around them are reflected in their reading.  Pupils are also reminded of the power of reading in supporting empathy, understanding and respect, through Library collections, displays and events. 

Book Week March 2023

Our theme for Book Week celebrations in this Coronation year was ‘Royal Reads’, with an opportunity to dress up as a book character, historical or fictional, relating to the theme on World Book Day, Thursday 2^nd March.  Girls were encouraged to re-use and recycle items to create their costumes. Girls embraced the theme with Henry VIII and his wives, and the Queen of Hearts making appearances, among many others!

Ross Welford
12th September 2023

It was wonderful to welcome award winning author, Ross Welford to present the latest of our Librarian Literary Lectures to UII, LIII, U3 and L4. He enthused the girls with an energic talk about his fiction books that are based on science, mystery, fantasy and magic. Everyone was mesmerised by his magic tricks and came away with some great tips to help their creative writing. 
 

• Anthony McGowan - March 2023
• Karl Nova - September 2022 
• Robin Stevens - October 2019
• Geraldine McCaughrean - June 2019
• Linda Newbery - January 2019
• Katherine Woodfine - June 2018
• Jo Cotterill - September 2017
• Elen Caldecott - September 2016
• Frances Hardinge - January 2016
• Lauren St John - June 2015
• Julia Golding - September 2014
• Theresa Breslin - June 2014
• Michelle Paver - September 2013
• Lauren Child - June 2013
• Marcus Sedgwick - March 2013