School Library
"The school promotes a love of reading and pupils enjoy using the well-loved library"
- Ofsted Feb 2025
View our online catalogue
The Library is purpose built to provide all students and staff at the school with an outstanding range of resources. It is used for individual study, research and leisure reading. It can accommodate over 100 students for quiet study and offers computer and wi-fi facilities.
There are over 17,000 borrowable items including books (plus eBooks), DVDs, audio books and multi-media equipment. Students can access popular magazines and journals and enjoy a wide range of fiction material.
We have thousands of fiction titles covering all genres and students can relax on soft seating in the reading zone. There are over 12,000 non-fiction titles on the shelves covering all areas of the curriculum and these are continually updated in line with subject leads.
There is also a limited amount of media equipment (cameras & video cameras) which can be borrowed for school work – please speak to Library Staff for more information.
Electronic Resources
In addition, students have access to a wide range of digital resources to help them with their studies including MASSOLIT, Hachette Magazine Archives, JSTOR, Babel, Issues Online and other digital content.
Our online web app gives you details of all the resources, plus details of literacy competitions, recommended reads, and plenty of links for your reading journey.
Find Us Online
AccessIT - this is our library catalogue, and the central hub for all information about the resources available. Students can quickly browse as a guest, or login using their school credentials to make reservations. Our full collection of ebooks is also indexed here, plus under Quick Lists you can find numerous reading lists for wider subject reading.
VLeBooks - All our eBooks are listed and linked in AccessIt but if you are only looking for digital books, searching here will be faster. Students login via Office 365 using their school email address and password. You can also download the VLeBooks reader app for IOS or Android.
CONTACT
Email Library Staff (librarian@thomas-hardye.net) - please feel free to get in touch with us if you have any queries about the Library or your child’s reading.
book clubs
There are currently book clubs for Yrs 9, 10 & 11 and 6th Form running after school where students can discuss, recommend and enjoy book talk each week. Please check the Enrichment/Clubs tab for any changes.
Year 9 book club participates in the Wessex Amazing Book Award, the Wessex MAT Genre Slam. Other national book awards are followed including the Yoto Carnegies, the Young Adult Book Award.
Activities
- Chess sets are available for quiet sessions with friends in the Library at lunchtime.
- Mindfulness colouring books are available and packs of pens/pencils can be borrowed during lunchtime.
- Thomas Hardye participates in World Book Day each year which is a big day on the THS calendar! Various bookish activities take place including staff dress up, competitions, and a whole school book quiz.
- Other events take place throughout the year usually with a book related theme, including Harry Potter Book Night, cinema nights and other special events.
World Book Day 2025
Author visits
Every year, as part of the Dorchester Literary Festival School Programme, our students in Years 9 and 10 hear from an author and have the opportunity to purchase copies of their books and get them signed on the day.
2025 VISITS - CLARE FURNISS AND TIA FISHER
2024 VISITS - sIMON jAMES gREEN AND LUKE PALMER
Library Code of Conduct
- During lesson time, the Library is a designated “Silent Zone” for silent study only. At other times the expectation is that students work or read quietly.
- No food or drink should be consumed in the library apart from water in a lidded container.
- Bags should be left in the bag store.
- Phone policy: Sixth Form for research only. Lower School – no phones allowed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who manages the Library?
The Library is staffed by one full time and one part time assistant.
Do I need a library card?
No, resources are issued without needing a library card or number. All student photos are available on the library system.
How many books can I borrow?
In Lower School (Yrs 9, 10 & 11) you can borrow 4 items.
In Sixth Form you can borrow 8 items.
How long is the loan period?
The loan period for most items is 3 weeks (not including weekends or school holidays). Some items such as textbooks and DVD’s are issued for 1 week.
What happens if I forget to take a book back on time?
Students will not be charged fines but they will not be able to borrow other titles until the overdue item is returned. Students are sent emails once their book is overdue and tutors are also sent class lists of overdue books. When books become very overdue reminders are sent to parents/guardians via Arbor or for assistance in returning the items.
I’ve lost a library book, what should I do?
Don’t panic! Speak to a member of library staff as soon as possible. Most books are not lost, they are merely mislaid! The responsibility for the book belongs to the person to whom it was issued. This is also relevant to books that are badly damaged. If a book is truly lost or damaged, then students are charged for a replacement copy.
What computing access is available?
There are 16 desktop computers available on a first come, first served basis and sixth form students are also able to borrow laptops for use in the library only. There is a colour/black & white A3 printer available using the follow me printer service used across the school.
Can I help out in the library?
If you would like to help out in the Library please speak to a member of Library staff.
Do you have a stationery shop?
The library runs a stationery shop selling a range of educational equipment at cost price purchased via the school supplier including pens, pencils, rulers, revision cards, folders and headphones. Items can be purchased using cash only.
How can I find out more?
All Year 9 and Year 12 students receive an induction to the Library.
The Library has an Instagram account where we post regularly @thsbookworm
You can contact the Library team by emailing librarian@thomas-hardye.net
