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WCB library boasts comfortable chairs and easy to find fiction arranged via popular genres including History, Fantasy, Horror, War, Real Life Reads, Mythology, Mystery, Science Fiction and Adventure. Colourful notices guide students to the non-fiction section where they can borrow books to help with their different subjects. With laptops available for booking, cinematic graphic novels, sports’ magazines, daily papers, subject periodicals, reference books, language dictionaries and Japanese style anime on offer, it is a place to read, research and relax.
In the past the library has played host to a range of activities at WCB. Highlights have included a Readathon which raised over £3,000 in support of cancer care for children in Northern Ireland, comic art masterclasses with acclaimed comic strip artist Kev. F. Sutherland, storytelling magic courtesy of Niall de Burca (the master of accents), Roald Dahl Day Quizzes for chocoholics, themed Open Nights celebrating Narnia, The Lord of the Rings, Alice in Wonderland, Fairy Tales, The Hunger Games, the mythical world of Percy Jackson complete with theatrics and a Sherlockian Cluedo style tribute, a collaborative e-book project with five other schools, award shadowing for the Teenage Trust Book Prize and the Northern Ireland Book Awards, Body in the Library themed mysteries, World Book Day Celebrations, Scholastic Book Fairs, and nail biting Regional Heats of the Kids’ Lit Quiz. 2015 heralds the arrival of the 10th Anniversary of the Northern Ireland heat of the reading event of the year, which has expanded to include Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the USA, and continues to spread the magic of stories across the globe. In mid November Wellington College will invite schools, including teams from WCB, to compete for glory once again. The day will include presentations by guest authors and a few surprises. The regional victors will travel to the UK final and the ultimate UK champions will compete for the coveted title of World Champions.
WCB Library has also had the pleasure of welcoming acclaimed authors, artists and storytellers to entertain students over the years including Garrett Carr, Dave Cryer, Paul Dowswell, Dan Freedman, Sally Gardner, Josh Lacey, Geraldine McCaughrean, M.G Harris, Eleanor Updale, Niall de Burca, Kev F. Sutherland and Alec Williams.
WCB students are currently supporting Book Buzz, the Northern Ireland Book Awards and The Stan Lee Excelsior Award for Graphic Novels with groups reading, rating and evaluating the short listed titles. They also have a chance to participate in drama workshops based upon the books. The Library Squad, who assist the librarian, also go on book selection trips where they can choose what they would like to see next on our shelves.
Written by Miss T.Jennings, School Librarian & Kids Lit Quiz NI Co-ordinator.
WCB Library’s Scholastic Book Fair art competition challenge was to design a poster featuring children’s fictional characters. The reward was a voucher to the value of £15 to spend on the Book Fair. Congratulations to our winner Anna George (9LG) who produced an attractive and detailed book cover design using protagonists from ‘Oliver and the Seawigs’ (a book by Philip Reeve).
The CILIP Carnegie and Greenaway Medals are awarded each year by a panel of twelve librarians who recognise outstanding children’s literature titles. All categories of books, including poetry, non-fiction and graphic novels for children and young people are eligible.
This year, CKG celebrates its 80th and 60th anniversaries respectively. Wellington College Belfast’s School Librarian, Miss Tanja Jennings, will be representing Northern Ireland on the judging panel for a 2nd year. This will require reading all the nominees (114 for Carnegie and 92 for Greenaway) in accordance with criteria before deliberating on a long list followed by a shortlist.
There is a dedicated display in WCB Library. Students can vote on what they would like Miss Jennings to read next. They will also have the chance to discuss and blog about their favourites at the Carnegie Club which will begin in January and be held each Thursday from 3.30pm to 4.30pm. The CKG winners will be announced in June at a special ceremony in London.
