Library
Mission
The mission of the Cardinal Wiseman Library is to provide students and staff with the skills to access and use ideas and information. We aim to achieve this in two ways, first by being a place where recreational reading is promoted, encouraged and supported and secondly, by providing a Library that supports the school’s curriculum. The Librarians strive not only to develop a community of passionate readers but also to uphold the school’s philosophy of instilling a life-long love of learning.
Online Catalogue
This is the link to the Library online.
It gives access to the OPAC (Online public access to our library catalogue). You may search the catalogue without having to provide login details. There are instructions on the search page.
Staffing
The Library staff consists of a full time Librarian and a full time Library Assistant. They are ably assisted by a happy band of student volunteers.
Social Media
Follow the Library on Twitter: @Wiseman Library
FAQs
1. Who runs the Library?
The Librarians are:-
- Ms MacInnes Librarian
- Mrs. Keating
2. When is the Library open?
The Library is open from 08:00 - 03:30
3. What sort of material does the Library stock?
- Fiction books
- Information books
- Reference books
- eBooks, audiobooks and the Wellbeing Collection all available via Wheelers ePlatform
- eResources include JSC, eMag, Massolit
- Journals and magazines
- Graphic novels and quick reads
- 10 computers
You may access the database via Sharepoint
The Library's full catalogue is available online
4. Do I need a library card?
No, we issue books without using a library card.
5. How many books may I take out at one time?
You may take out one information book and two fiction books at any one time.
6. How long is the loan period?
The loan period is four weeks.
7. What happens if I forget to take a book back on time?
We do not charge fines but you will not be able to borrow anything else until the overdue item is returned.
8. I’ve lost a library book, what should I do?
Don’t panic! Speak to one of the Librarians as soon as possible. Most books are not lost, they are merely mislaid. However if you cannot find the book you will have to pay for it. The responsibility for replacing a lost book belongs to the person to whom it was issued.
9. Do I need to book a computer?
You do not need to book a computer but you must always ask the Librarians for permission to use one.
10. What are the Library rules?
You should work or read quietly at all times.
You should respect other users.
You should observe the school’s Code of Conduct.
You should not eat or drink in the Library.
Reading and Book lists
Friday Lunchtime in the Library
Friday lunchtime in the Library is an opportunity for students and staff to read uninterrupted quietly for 40 minutes. At this time there are no computers available. Students are able to borrow and return books 5 minutes before the end of lunchtime.
The Librarians organise different book groups. We shadow the Carnegie Award and are founder members of the annual Ealing Readers’ Award (ERA).
For more information about any of these activities, please speak to one of the Librarians.
Online Information and Books from other libraries
Ealing and Hillingdon Public Libraries can help you get a tremendous amount of information online, anytime. All you need is a borrower number (on your library card).
There are more databases than the ones below, but the most useful for school students are:
- Oxford Reference Online
- Encyclopaedia Britannica
- Britannica Student
- Britannica Junior
- Credo Reference
- The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
- Grove Art Online
- Grove Music Online
- NewsBank
- The Times Digital Archive
- Issues Online
You need to look for the Reference section in Online Resources Use this link and then follow the instructions on the page.
If you are happy reading ebooks, join Ealing’s eLibrary service. You need a library card number and a PIN (you get this by filling in the Self-registration form using this link), a device that is compatible and an internet connection so you can download the books. If you live in Brent or Harrow you can also register for this too. You will be able then to use this link to login to, and borrow from, the London Libraries Consortium which has a very wide range of ebooks and audiobooks. There is no charge for this service.
There is also the British Library. They have an excellent collection of historical documents and books, use this link to their gallery page and see what they can tell you about British history.
Useful Links
Ealing Public Library
https://www.ealing.gov.uk/info/201219/libraries/2384/247_online_library_services
Hillingdon Public Library
https://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/digital-library
British Library
Booktrust
https://www.booktrust.org.uk/books-and-reading/bookfinder/
Project Gutenberg