The School Library is located in Round Square and consists of four separate rooms:
- Main Library
- Reading Loft
- Silence Room
- Warden's Room
The Main Library houses the bulk of the Non-Fiction stock and includes the Reference Section as well as two specialist art collections funded by bequests from Joy McKessack and Lord Beaumont.
Overlooking the Main Library is the Reading Loft which is furnished with study booths for Sixth Form private study. It holds the literature and history stock including back issues of the Gordonstoun Record, Punch and various journal titles.
The Silence Room contains fiction, biographies and autobiographies. Both private study and class work take place here.
The Warden’s Room houses the School Archive, local history books and books from the personal libraries of Kurt Hahn and Erich Meissner.
Facilities
The main function of the Library is to support the academic curriculum. It aims to promote reading, develop research skills and provide opportunities for independent learning. Subject areas in the Services area of the curriculum, such as canoeing and navigation are also supported.
The Library is arranged according to the Dewey Decimal Classification Scheme and catalogued using the Heritage IV Library System.
Services
- A computerised catalogue with online access to both students and staff
- Fiction and Non fiction books
- Comprehensive Reference Section
- 6 networked computers giving access to the School Intranet and the Internet
- Daily newspapers
- Journals
- CDs supporting the curriculum
- Online resources (Proquest: Library, Literature, Geography and History, Infotrac: full-text electronic journals, Grove Art and Grove Music)
- Inter Library Loans are available via the British Library and Grampian Information
Opening Times
The Library is open during class contact times and is also open to Year 13 during Second Prep in the evening.
Book Shop
This is situated in the Silence Room and is open every Wednesday during term time at break and lunchtime. Students and staff can purchase a wide range of new Fiction and Non-Fiction titles. Revision guides, critical studies and reference books are also available.
External Users
The resources of the Library are primarily available to students and staff of the Gordonstoun Schools but requests from external users to consult the stock on a reference basis may be made to the Headmaster.
Staff
The Library is staffed by two Chartered Librarians who work on a job share basis.
For further information please contact library@gordonstoun.org.uk