Library Information

The Resource Learning Centre

(including the Baumberg Library):

This facility was opened in October 2001 and has been an integral part of the learning process at the college ever since. Over 900 students and staff have access to a wide range of materials in a warm and inviting setting. The high ceilings make it a light and airy place to study and the walls are covered in bright and colourful works of art by students and staff alike – ranging from paintings to quilts to past school productions’ props and exquisite wearable arts pieces.

Library Hours and conditions:
 

Opening hours: 8.30am to 4.00pm every day of the week

Between 2.00pm and 2.20pm the library is closed to enable the students to have some fresh air outside and eat their lunch before commencing the last lesson of the day.

Issuing:

•  3 books of any type (except magazines), for
•  3 weeks

Students are not able to borrow new books until old ones are returned.

Break time and lunch time sees the library full of students reading quietly, discussing work, playing Chess, Bridge  and Draughts. During winter we have more than 5 tables of seriously-fought chess games on the go each break and lunch-time and at least two serious Bridge games also on the go. 
 

Library Staff:

Teacher in Charge :   Sandra Roberts
Librarian :                Alyson Murray
Library assistant:       Kay Andrews 

At break time and lunch time the library is ably assisted by our helpful library monitors. They are wonderfully enthusiastic and helpful. Their help is invaluable and we appreciate the time they spend doing their tasks. Various other helpers and teachers are also rostered on at lunch times to help with the running of the library.

 
Facilities:

The Resource Centre comprises the following :

• Reading Room (where the students are encouraged to read from the wide variety of genres available in the library),

• Senior study room for Year 13 and correspondence students,
  
• Computer suite containing 20 computers,
  
• Baumberg library – which is itself split up into different areas,
  
• Stack – a room where old Classics, extra back-up copies and mostly un-read books are stored, allowing more space in the library for more popular books
  

Library sections:

A large Fiction section houses Short Stories, Graphic Novels, Picture Books, and two stands containing New Arrivals & Quick Reads (which are updated very regularly) . This side of the library  also includes a large coffee table surrounded by easy chairs for comfortable relaxation.

We are currently up-grading our ‘Graphic novel’ section – good quality, informative and fun reads that include mythology, non-fiction, movies made into books (eg. Indiana Jones), modern novels turned into graphic novels (eg Strombreaker), popular oldies such as Tintin and Asterix & Obelix and much more …

We now have a ‘Teen Issues’ corner and of course the ever-useful Information File filled with local newspaper articles on current topics of interest.

The Reference collection has been incorporated into the Non-fiction section for easier , less time-consuming access to reference material.  Many of the books are catalogued with appropriate up-to-date URLs added to enable quick access to Internet information on the same topic.   Six tables, each surrounded by 6 chairs are available in the Non-fiction area for study purposes. Teachers often bring their classes here to research topics.
A colour photocopier is stationed in this area for easy printing off the computers and for photocopying material. Each student has an allocated sum of money on their Photocopying/Printing account and when they have used up their funds they are then required to go to the office and top up their accounts. Not only does this method save money but also teaches the students to be responsible when using school resources.

Useful links:

Good Reads : http://www.goodreads.com/

The Pulse - Christchurch Library : http://thepulse.org.nz/

Fantastic Fiction : www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/

Many Answers : manyanswers.co.nz/

National Library : www.natlib.govt.nz/

Taupo Public Library : www.taupodc.govt.nz/library/

Order in the library :  www.cs.utexas.edu/user/

Computers:

The computers are linked to the internet and also to the library catalogue. There are lists of preferred website addresses on the walls for the students to use if they so wish – such as EPIC, National Library, Index New Zealand, Taupo Public Library. Our library catalogue is powered by Access-It software – a very user-friendly and easy-to-read system which enables searching for authors, subjects, keywords and titles to be quick and efficient.
The Library Catalogue is accessible through the TNT Home Page and reserves and renewals may done by the students from home using a private PIN number. These are easily obtainable from the Library. Please ask Mrs Murray for details.

The Learning Resource Centre is a well-stocked educational and recreational facility for all students and staff. It is a central hub that provides a friendly and safe environment where students can pursue their academic needs or relax with a good read.