Library
Welcome to the HAB Library
At HAB, the Library is the heart of our school — a warm, inclusive space where every student is welcomed and supported. Whether you're here to read, learn, collaborate, or simply relax, the Library offers a calm and inspiring environment to grow alongside friends.
A Hub of Ambition, Compassion, and Respect
Our Library is designed to reflect the values we live by: ambition, compassion, and respect. It’s a space where students can:
- Explore a diverse and inclusive collection of books that reflect the backgrounds and interests of our community
- Learn in a dedicated teaching area used for lessons and workshops
- Access a suite of computers for research, homework, and creative projects
A Culture of Reading at HAB
At HAB, reading is at the very heart of our culture, and the Library is where literacy truly comes alive! Here, students don’t just practice reading skills — they step into stories as detectives solving mysteries, witches crafting potions, and empowered communicators ready to share their ideas. We believe that those who read succeed, and our mission is to nurture lifelong readers who love books. Literacy at HAB isn’t simply a lesson to be taught; it’s a wonder to be experienced, with a vibrant calendar of events that brings reading and writing to life for every student. To discover more about our unique approach to literacy, click here.
Opening Hours
The Library is open:
- Before school
- Break time
- Lunch time
- After school: 3:00 – 4:45 PM
Students are encouraged to use the space during their free time to complete important work, explore personal interests, or simply sit back and enjoy a good book.
Annual Reading Challenges
Each year group takes part in a bespoke reading challenge designed to spark curiosity and build reading stamina:
- Year 7 Passport Reading Challenge Students collect stamps in their reading passports by exploring a wide range of genres and authors.
- Year 8 1,000 Minutes Reading Challenge A race to read for 1,000 minutes — encouraging daily reading habits and personal goal-setting.
- Year 9 Voices Reading Challenge Focused on diverse narratives and powerful storytelling, this challenge helps students discover voices that resonate.
- Year 10 Exploration Reading Challenge A journey through fiction and non-fiction that encourages students to explore new ideas and perspectives.
- Year 11 Reading to Write Challenge Designed to strengthen writing through reading, this challenge helps students prepare for exams and express themselves with confidence.
Literacy Events and Experiences
Our Library hosts a variety of exciting events that promote creativity, cultural awareness, and a love of reading:
- Creative Writing Workshops with authors like Catherine Johnson, author of Freedom
- Library Induction Lessons for Year 7, helping students learn how to use the Library and borrow books
- ‘Never Judge a Book by Its Cover’ Lesson for Year 8, where students choose books based on opening lines, not covers or blurbs
- The Literary Tea Party, a joyful celebration for students who’ve shown dedication to literacy, featuring potion making and gingerbread decorating
- Young City Poets Project with the National Literacy Trust, including visits to cultural landmarks and poetry workshops with professional poets
- World Book Day, where students and staff dress as their favourite characters and every student receives a book to build their home library
- Power of Voice Project, empowering students to write about the stories that matter to them and share their voices with real audiences
Our Collection
We are proud to offer a wide-ranging and inclusive selection of books:
| Category | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Fiction | Fantasy, thrillers, historical fiction, humour, poetry, and popular authors for ages 11–16 |
| Non-fiction | Topics include sport, maths, history, mental health, identity, bereavement, and online safety |
| Dyslexia-friendly | Titles from Barrington Stoke, a specialist publisher for accessible reading |
| Languages | Books in Spanish, Polish, and Arabic, plus a variety of dictionaries |
| Manga | A growing selection of Manga and graphic novels to hook students into reading |
All books are labelled with recommended content ages to help students choose titles that match their maturity level. We’re always in conversation with students about what they’d like to see on our shelves — if you have a recommendation, we’d love to hear it!
Support and Community
Our team of Library volunteers is always on hand to:
- Help with homework
- Recommend books
- Support reading development
Fantastic book lists
Ms Morris has created an array of awesome book lists to inspire your reading. Just choose your favourite genres and dip in!
- Crime mystery
- Adventure
- Fantasy
- Realistic fiction
- Romance
- The HAB Transition Book List
- Year 7 kindness book list
- Dystopian
You can also try these!
- Great books for Key Stage 3 students
- Books to hook readers who aren’t sure what to read
- Books to stretch and challenge readers - 10 classics to read before you are 16
- Year 8 book suggestions
We hope the book lists provide inspiration for anyone looking for a great book to read next. We very much look forward to seeing you in the library soon!
Get in Touch
For more information, contact Amy Morris, our Academy Librarian Amy.Morris@harrisbermondsey.org.uk