Learning Resource Centre                                   

Using the 11 - 16 Learning Resource Centre (The Vista)

The Vista is open from 7.45am - 4.45pm Monday to Thursday and 7.45am - 4.15pm on a Friday.

• The Learning Resource Centre is open before school, at break, lunchtime and after school for a variety of activities. Students are welcome to come and read, borrow or return books, do homework, find information and use the computers. The Learning Resource Centre Manager (Mrs Hodgkinson) and/or a Learning Support Assistant will be there to help you. 
• You can borrow two books/resources at a time. Books are normally issued for two weeks.
• From time to time you may be sent during lesson time to work on a specific task, find a book or information or print out work. You will only be able to do this if you have a pass from your teacher.
• Suggestions for new items for purchase or activities are always welcomed. There is a Suggestion Box on the counter in the Learning Resource Centre, you can pass your ideas on to the Student Council or you can see a member of staff in the LRC.
• Food and drink (other than water) must not be consumed in the Resource Centre.
• No chewing gum is permitted.
• No mobile phones are to be used in this area.

Recommended Reading Books and Book Lists

• Click here to download a list of new books the LRC now has (Mar 2011).
• Click on the link to browse our Dip In, Chill Out Books (updated May 2011).
• Click here to download the KS4 Fiction Plus reads.
• Click here for a list of Victorian Fiction books.
• Click here to download a list of Modern Victorian Fiction.
• If you are interested in the modern Horror/Fantasy genre but are unsure where to start have a look at this list (in particular for Year 8 and Year 9). If you want further information, check out the school library catalogue (available on your computer desk top in school) or Bristol Library's online catalogue.

Great Reading Websites

• Click here to go to Reading Zone and find a brilliant book to read!
• Click here to go to Spinebreakers. Great reading website for latest releases, news, competitions and much, much more!

Audio Book Collection

Held in the Main 11-16 library all members of the RGS Community are welcome to borrow them.
Click here to download the list of audio books we have. The majority of the audio books are full text versions and we are happy to loan the book versions alongside where available. Please ask at the main desk in The Vista if you require assistance finding the resource you need.

We also subscribe to the ‘Listening book’ Service. You can stream content in real time and can bookmark so that you can stop the book and then pick it up again from that point. The access password is available through the LRC Team. The service does have some textbooks. It is available to use in the Vista and the Hub on dedicated machines.

In addition, if you are a member of the Public Library service and have a membership card and PIN no. you can register with the audio on-line service. The number of downloadable books available at one time is generous.

Listen to BBC Radio 7 for a wide range of readings and dramatisations.

Useful On-line resources

Careers

UCAS – a one-stop shop for everything you might need to know about applying to British Universities. The section on writing a personal statement is particularly helpful.

Connexions West  – a really good website with information about apprenticeships, jobs, money, health and housing.

Kudos – starting to think about careers or jobs? This website (for which you will need a login from the library staff) might give you some inspiration. Useful to Year 9 and above.

Research Tools

Issues OnLine: It is also available as ‘Issues’, a photocopiable resource in the Main Library (The Vista). Brilliant, accessible resource if you are doing research on modern social issues. A list of current titles available in the Learning Resource Centre is sited above the photocopier in The Hub and Vista. General subject headings are as below:

• Crime and Justice
• Drugs and Alcohol
• Economics and Welfare
• Environmental and Global Issues
• Family and Relationships
• Health and Wellbeing
• Citizenship and Participation
• Media
• Rights and Discrimination
• Science and Health

You can access the user name and password for 'Issues On Line' by logging into RGS Google Apps/Student Sites/Curriculum/RGSLibrary/Research Tools for Home Learning.

To access Issues Online really good selection of sites to dip into for writing skills and referencing click here. 

Bristol Library Services Online

To get the best out of this we would really recommend that you join the Public Library Service and get a membership card and a PIN number. To find out how please click here: Bristol City Council Library services: How to - join and use the library

The Bristol Library Services website is a really useful site containing:-

• Online Catalogue (recently revamped, easy to use but RGS Library staff will be happy to help with any searches).  
• Downloadable audio books (at the time of going to press 600 and growing). This service is only available to library members who have registered online.  
• Online resources such as Oxford Reference Online, Naxos, Oxford Art Online, Oxford Music Online, Custom Journal Database available though the 24-Hour Library Portal with your membership no and PIN.