Library
Hornsby Girls’ High School has an extensive library of over 20 000 titles. Known as the Agnes Brewster Library in honour of the first Principal of HGHS (1930-1938), it holds a large collection of resources to support the teaching and learning programs in the school as well as an extensive collection of novels, short stories, graphic novels and Manga to encourage reading for enjoyment.
Students in Years 7-10 may borrow up to 20 resources at one time. Students in Years 11-12 may borrow up to 30 resources in addition to all English texts. The normal loan period is two weeks but renewals are possible if the item has not been reserved by another student.
Year 7 students participate in library lessons designed to enhance their use and enjoyment of the library. They are instructed in the use of the online library catalogue, how to use the Online Referencing Generator to create a Reference List for assignments, where to find resources, digital resources such as World Book Advanced, as well as general library procedures and facilities.
Students may volunteer to assist in the library as Library Monitors. They learn how the Library Management System operates, process loans and returns and assist with shelving, student requests, displays and other Library activities. Currently there are over 20 Library Monitors.
Thanks to the generosity of the HGHS Parents and Citizens Association, the library is also able to offer extended opening hours on Monday to Thursday to provide students with a quiet, supervised study area before and after school.
Library Facilities
Classes and extracurricular groups can book different areas of the library to facilitate a range of teaching and learning activities such as wide reading, viewing films on a large screen and small group activities.
Senior students have access to the Senior Study Area on the library’s mezzanine level and may use this during study periods and breaks during the day. This houses a collection of scholarly articles relating to Senior English texts and an extensive range of HSC Study resources from NESA, Excel and Cambridge, all of which can be borrowed by students.
Scanning and printing facilities are available to students by logging into their school account through desktop computers in the library.
‘My School Library’ at HGHS
The online catalogue is available both at school and offsite and allows students to search for resources, view their current loans, reserve books, renew books and write book reviews for others to read. It also provides a link to our subscription of over 3 000 ebooks and audiobooks.
Links to online digital resources are available on the homepage of the library site.
Online Resources
The library has subscriptions to several online resources that may be accessed at school and at home:
- EBSCO: The Australia/New Zealand Reference Centre**:** an online journal database providing access to over 600 journal titles, as well as reference works, Australian newspapers, biographies, videos and images.
- Quarterly Essay: a journal of politics and culture in Australia. Each issue contains a single long-form essay, followed by correspondence on previous essays.
- Sydney Morning Herald
- Choice Online:an independent, non-profit consumer advocacy organization that tests products, reviews services, and provides unbiased advice to help Australians make informed purchasing decisions.
- Cambridge Collections Online**:** literature, philosophy, classics, religion and cultural studies from the Cambridge Companions series, which offers access to around 400 titles.
- Issues in Society Digital Editions (hard copy also available)
- Online Referencing Generator
Lunchtime Activities
- Book Groups operate during lunch times. Students who love to read are encouraged to come along and share their love of books in enjoyable, informal meetings.
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Leisure activities such as Scrabble, chess, colouring and a range of jigsaw puzzles are available for students to use during break times.
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Other groups which meet weekly in the library:
- Ethics Olympiad: students train weekly in preparation for competitions
- Yarnies – knitters and crocheters, both beginners and experienced
- Peer Tutoring – students tutoring younger students in school work
Premier's Reading Challenge
Students in Years 7 to 10 can choose to participate in the NSW Premier's Reading Challenge each year, in which they must read at least 20 books, with 10 from the approved PRC list. Each year over 100 HGHS students participate and many are awarded Gold and Platinum Certificates and PRC Medals for sustained participation from primary school up to Years 9 and 10.
Write a Book in a Day
The teacher-librarian organises student participation in The Kids’ Cancer Project’s, Write a Book in a Day which requires teams of 5 to 10 participants to write and illustrate an entire book, based on certain parameters, within a twelve-hour period. All books are assessed by qualified judges and prizes awarded, as well as being made available to children in hospitals around Australia. Students find the day challenging on many levels but hugely enjoyable and rewarding.
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