Our library is a fantastic hub of discovery and learning that plays a major role in enriching the school lives of every girl at OHS. Our librarian runs many activities for keen readers, including book clubs, quizzes and competitions.
Throughout the school year, the library encourages a love of reading with fascinating library lessons that explore different genres and by offering students a wonderfully eclectic mix of academically-challenging and stimulating titles, including the latest award-winners from YA and adult literary awards.
The library itself is a welcoming, light and airy space where all girls can learn the necessary research skills to lay foundation blocks for future academic study, whether scouring the shelves or using laptops to scan our extensive archive. They can also sink into a squashy armchair on a wet day and simply lose themselves in a good book.
A large non-fiction collection, supplemented with subject journals and foreign language magazines, helps to support extended reading and complements our on-line library subscriptions. The recent addition of our e-book platform also means that students now have access to a library wherever they are in the world!
Finally, the library provides a crucial study hub for independent study, whole class research and After School Homework club, which runs from 4-6pm every evening.
Library Events
We run major events throughout the year for students, such as the GDST Book Award, Carnegie Shadowing, Author Events, World Book Day parade and activities (e.g. Quidditch!), Book Club and the Kids’ Lit Quiz – at which OHS won the 2018 National Finals and came third in the World Final at a prestigious event in Auckland, New Zealand (see pictures below).
The OHS Archive
Our library also contains the OHS Archive, proudly displaying literary treasures and artefacts from the school’s history. The Archive also has an important digital and online function since our Head Librarian, with the support of the Annual Fund, commissioned the process of cataloguing and digitising our huge collection of OHS literature and memorabilia. This collection is now online and freely accessible, answering information requests from students, alumnae and historians. Read more and visit the archive here.
