Library
Fuller Memorial Library
Watford Grammar School for Boys has a vibrant and spacious library, named after our school founder Dame Elizabeth Fuller.
Offering a welcoming environment for students, our library aims to foster literacy, independent learning and a love of reading for pleasure in all students. It supports teaching and learning across and beyond the curriculum and gives pupils the skills needed to find and use information effectively.
The Librarian, Mrs Waterman, is always happy to help find the right book for you. If you would like to suggest a new book for the library, recommendations are encouraged from both students and staff.
The library is available to students throughout the school day and after school. Students have library lessons with our English department - all Year 7 have a Library Induction lesson, along with Years 7, 8, and 9 class visits to the library throughout the year. Students can loan resources, use computers, undertake silent study and receive study support in the library.
Students have access to a range of newspapers and magazines. Our cross-curricular e-resources include VLEBooks and JSTOR full-text academic journal database. Pupils can access most electronic resources both at home and at school. This means that students now have access to a library wherever they are in the world!
The library stock is updated regularly to support students from Year 7 through to sixth form. We continually develop stock for GCSE and A Level students, to assist in encouraging and developing attitudes to study that will benefit students at university, in the workplace, and beyond. We aim to be a whole school resource, providing materials for all aspects of school work as well as for personal interests and recreational reading. We stock a wide range of up-to-date fiction and non-fiction books, including eBooks. The librarian has produced and regularly updates a collection of recommended reading lists for different year groups available to staff, parents and students, please speak to Mrs Waterman to request a reading list.
Library - Before and After School
The library opens at 8:00am and remains open beyond the end of the school day (Monday to Thursday) for students who wish to borrow books or study.
Please note, the School librarian will be on duty to assist with library enquiries.
Open Times
- 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday to Thursday
- 8:00am to 2:15pm Friday
Please note, these timings may be subject to change due to meetings and events.
Student librarians
Year 11 Library Prefects assist the Librarian in the library. They are trained to use the Library catalogue, to issue and return books, shelve books and do other tasks that keep the library running smoothly. Including helping with events, such as World Book Day, to creating book displays, there are many ways that pupils can help the library and learn new skills.
Author Visits
As often as possible, we arrange for writers to visit us at WBGS. During these visits, the authors address the students, talk about their work and the inspiration behind their books. These sessions are always popular with the students and are an excellent way to spark interest in books and engage students in reading. Recent visiting writers have included mathematician and author Bobby Seagull and author Nikesh Shukla.
Fun in the Library
We run regular book-based competitions and reward schemes to engage students and encourage participation in library events. From World Book Day, Poetry Day, and the Holiday Reading Challenge to celebrating Libraries Week.
WBGS Archives
Our library also contains the WBGS Archive. We proudly display literary and other treasures and artefacts from the school’s history. Our volunteer Archivist is very busy answering information requests from students, alumni and historians.
