Matthew Arnold School is a reading school and the library plays a central role in supporting students with their reading. It is a bright, relaxed space which seeks to embed a love of reading in all those who come to the library. The library offers a welcome environment for students who are looking for a place to read or to work quietly.
Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 attend the library for a library lesson every fortnight. During a library lesson they have the opportunity to borrow and return books, as well as to exchange book recommendations with the other students, the Librarian and the English teachers.
The library opens at 8.15am, and it stays open at break and lunch time every day. Feel free to spend your breaks here, and, except for Mondays, even stay after school! The library closes at 3. pm on Mondays, at 4.00 pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and at 4.30 pm on Thursdays and Fridays.
Remember that the library is a silent space at all times.
Food and drinks are not allowed.
Year 7, 8 and 9 students can use the library's computers before and after school, not during breaks.
I strongly believe that libraries should help their readers understand how urgent it is to reduce our consumption of plastic. This task should be achieved not only through a vast book collection on this theme, but through daily practices as well.
We are replacing plastic jackets with recycled fabric sleeves. They are easy and quick to make with a sewing machine. Here is how!
What you need
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4 fabric rectangles, each measuring 9.5 x 11.5 inches. Two are for the external part (BAG A) and two are for the lining (BAG B). Please, don’t buy fabrics! Use fabric remnants that you have at home OR recycle something, e.g. an old cushion case, bed sheet/duvet cover, a t-shirt, jeans etc.. No remnants or suitable fabrics to recycle at home? If you are a Matthew Arnold School student, ask the librarian for some fabrics.
Thread
A sewing machine
Two pieces of cord (or make two pieces of string by using the same fabric)
What to do
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Start with the external part (Bag A). Sew 3 edges of the two rectangles together, making sure that the right sides face each other. Leave the top edges open.
Turn BAG A outside out, so that the RIGHT side is now visible.
Do the same thing with the remaining two rectangles (BAG B) BUT leave a gap of more or less 10 cm at the bottom. This will be the lining of your sleeve.
4. With BAG B still inside out, insert BAG A in it, making sure that all the upper edges are on the same level.
5. Find the centre of your sleeve and insert a piece of cord in-between BAG B and BAG A, both on the front and the back of your sleeve. Make sure that a small portion of each piece of cord sticks out.
6. Sew the two top edges together.
7. Pull BAG A out from the gap at the bottom of BAG B.
8. Close the gap at the bottom of BAG B using your sewing machine.
9. Insert BAG B into BAG A and, if you want to, top stitch the top edges again just for your sleeve to look nice and neat.
Done!
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Feel free to decorate your fabrics at any stage (add a pocket? An applique? beads? fabric painting?).
Many Oxford families are volunteering or have donated fabrics for this project: thank you so much, your contribution is invaluable!
Do you want to donate some fabrics or sew some book sleeves for us? Please contact me at the following address: CBalistreri@maschool.org.uk
The library hosts a number of clubs. Comic Book Club is on Thursdays from 3 to 4 pm. Book club is on Fridays at lunchtime, and Library Assistant Club is on Fridays from 3 to 4 pm. All library clubs are run by the librarian, Dr Balistreri.
Please look for the book you would like on the library catalogue.
Click here for the library catalogue and then email the librarian to request your book.
We have a wide range of resources including Fiction and Non-Fiction books, a Sixth Form Library, Graphic novels, DVDs and 12 computers.
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