Libraries

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Welcome to Norwich School Library

At Norwich School, we take great pride in offering an exceptional library experience across our three distinct library spaces, catering to the needs of our diverse pupil body.

Lower School Library

Our Lower School Library is a vibrant and inviting space designed for our youngest pupils. It encompasses cosy reading nooks, storytelling areas, and a large book collection, including picture books, fiction, and non-fiction, suitable for pupils aged 4-11. This library is a place where a love for reading is nurtured from the very start.


Senior School Libraries

In the Senior School, we have two libraries: The Undercroft and the Reynolds Library.


The Undercroft Library

The Undercroft is our dedicated fiction library, located in the atmospheric former cellar of the Bishop's Palace, dating back to the 11th century. This unique setting houses a comprehensive collection of fiction books, and incorporates graphic novels, manga, short story collections, and a range of biographies.


The Reynolds Library

The Reynolds Library, established in the 1660s and 1670s by Bishop Reynolds and used as the private chapel for the Bishops for 400 years, is our non-fiction powerhouse. Here, you’ll find an extensive range of non-fiction materials, organised using the Dewey Decimal Classification system. This library is perfect for research

Resources and Borrowing


Across all our libraries, pupils have access to over 20,000 books and a wealth of digital resources, including subscriptions to EBSCO and JSTOR databases, and the Very Short Introduction series.



All new pupils are automatically enrolled in the library and can borrow up to 3 books at a time for a three-week period. With over 2,000 active borrowers and more than 4,000 loans each academic year, our libraries are a bustling hub of learning and discovery.


Opening Hours


  • The Undercroft and Reynolds Libraries: Open from 8.00 am to 5.30 pm.
  • Lower School Library: Opening times to be confirmed.


Our libraries are more than just places to find books—they form an integral part of our school community where pupils can explore, learn, and grow.

Recommended Books from Norwich School Pupils:

  • Senior School

    Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

    Gone by Michael Grant

    Cream buns and Crime by Robin Stevens

    Not here to be liked by Michelle Quach

    Resist by Tom Palmer

    The fights that make us by Sarah Hagger-Holt

    I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

    Pony by R J Palacio

    The Hobbit by J R R Tolkien

    Rollercoaster Boy by Lisa Williams

    The Body in the Blitz by Robin Stevens

    Happyhead by Josh Silver

    The Opal Deception by Eoin Colfer

    The Parent Agency by David Baddiel

    Flamingo Boy by Michael Morpurgo

    Toffee by Sarah Crossan

    The Maze Runner by James Dashner

    Rise of the School of Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

    The Last Nazi by Andrew Turpin

    Mutant Rising by Steve Feasey

  • Lower School

    Horrid Henry and Moody Margaret by Francesca Simon

    The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr

    The Owl who was Afraid of the Dark by Jill Tomlinson

    Don't be Horrid, Henry by Francesca Simon

    Puzzle for the Secret Seven by Enid Blyton

    Spy Dog: Rollercoaster by Andrew Cope

    Marcy and the Riddle of the Sphinx by Joe Todd Stanton

    Rosie the Perfect Pony by Pippa Funnell

    You can't make me go to Witch School by Em Lynas

    The Magician's Nephew by C S Lewis


Latest News

By Jakka Pranav Swaroop Naidu February 6, 2025
Upper 4 spent a WoLLoW lesson in the Undercroft library this week with a focus on reading books in other languages. The session, led by librarians Ms Goodwin and Mr Moore, looked at how to approach this task to make it less daunting: starting small with picture books and realising we can draw meaning from the context if we understand a few words in a sentence. Pupils worked out famous book titles in French, German and Spanish, then had chance to read. They learnt new vocabulary, made clever links and came away with a real sense of accomplishment. We are sure they'll be back to dig into our wide selection of foreign language books available.
By Eleanor Lewis February 6, 2025
This week, our 5th Form Reading Group turned their love of books into a courtroom drama with a mock trial of a famous book character. With passionate debates and well-prepared arguments, the students put President Snow from The Hunger Games on trial for his role in the brutal oppression of Panem. Dividing into prosecution and defence teams, pupils argued whether Snow’s actions were those of a necessary leader or a ruthless tyrant. Witnesses, including characters from the series, were called to give testimony, while a jury of peers readied themselves to weigh the evidence. However, just as the arguments were heating up, period Six beckoned! The trial has been adjourned until next week, leaving everyone eager to return and deliver the final verdict. This engaging activity combined critical thinking and debate skills, and shows just how much stories can inspire discussion beyond the page. Reading Group explores themes in Young Adult fiction through lively discussions, creative games, and fun activities.  Want to join the next debate? Come along to Reading Group next week and be part of the action!
By Eleanor Lewis November 20, 2024
Pupils from L4-L5 gathered in the school library for an enchanting evening of Harry Potter magic. The space was transformed with fairy lights and Hogwarts-themed decorations, creating an atmosphere straight out of the wizarding world. Pupils enjoyed a mix of exciting activities, including a Harry Potter quiz devised by pupils Martha Pearce and Eleanor Peel, that tested even the most dedicated fans. Spell-casting instruction came courtesy of Luna Lovegood, and brought the magic to life as pupils tried their hand at mastering incantations!  Hot chocolate and snacks added to the cosy atmosphere in the library, as did the sounds and sights of our very own Norwich School young witches and wizards. The prizes for the quiz and for best spell casting came from a selection of Hogwarts-themed sweet treats, but luckily with no ill-effects—no one turned into a frog or sprouted tentacles from a rogue Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Bean!
By Eleanor Lewis July 17, 2024
The ever-popular OUP Very Short Introductions collection is expanding. These short books are always extremely useful, in particular for 6th form students. They provide concise and accessible overviews of a wide range of subjects to support academic studies, to help with Independent Project research, and to broaden pupils' overall general knowledge. Keeping the politics section of the library up to date is crucial for providing pupils with a comprehensive collection of current resources. These are essential to enhance their understanding of contemporary political issues, encourage critical thinking, and better prepare them for informed citizenship. Another subject that is vital to keep updated is the Economics collection in the library; this is vital for offering pupils the most recent insights and practical examples. These new books will enrich their understanding of economic concepts, develop their analytical abilities, and better prepare them for future academic and professional endeavours.  Our understanding of Geography is always expanding, and new books focussing on migration, climate change, ecology and global warming will provide our pupils with the latest information and perspectives. These books will broaden their understanding of physical and human geography, enhance their research skills, and prepare them for further studies and careers in related fields.
By Eleanor Lewis July 17, 2024
As part of our new blog series, Behind the Scenes, we have decided to interview Norwich School's Library Team from both the Lower School and the Senior School to get a sense of their role in the everyday working's of Norwich School, Deborah Goodwin, Mark Moore and Sally Morgan answers the following questions... How long have you worked at Norwich School? Mr Moore: I have worked at Norwich School in the role of Librarian for around 10 years. Ms Goodwin: I started at Norwich School in September 2014. Mrs Morgan: This is the end of my 6th year at the Lower School. What attracted you to the role? Mr Moore: I love reading and learning about new topics and this role gave me the opportunity to enthuse and encourage both pupils and other members of the school community to do the same. The variety of tasks and responsibilities related to the role was also attractive. Ms Goodwin: I had just finished my MSc in Librarianship and I liked the fact that the role incorporated teaching information literacy, promoting reading for pleasure, and supporting teachers. I thought that the variety of the role looked interesting and provided the chance to develop some new skills. Mrs Morgan: I have always been a reader and have a love of children’s literature, which has developed as my own children have grown up. I wanted to be able to make a difference and support pupils who find reading more challenging. How has the role of Librarian changed during your time at Norwich School? Mr Moore: There has certainly been an increased demand to supply resources on a more diverse range of genres and topics. An understanding of the pros and cons of AI in research and how we can incorporate this into what we do as a department is also a current theme which has recently become relevant. Ms Goodwin: Sadly, curriculum pressures have meant that we no longer teach information skills to the younger years, but I love getting involved with the 6th form Independent Project, seeing the fascinating topics that Lower 6 pupils choose to study and helping them to locate the relevant resources. Mrs Morgan: Reading Ambassadors now provide a pupil voice in the library. These are chosen each term from our Lower Two pupils upwards. Each class has a couple of ambassadors who provide a voice in the library, and also give me an insight into reading in the classroom, the stock in class libraries etc Ambassadors get to go to the bookshop once a term to choose new library stock. There are now more author visits and themed days! What does the day-to-day of a Librarian at Norwich School look like? Mr Moore: It’s often extremely varied. One second we could be recommending fiction to a class of Lower 4 pupils and the next we could be helping a Lower 6 pupil create a bibliography for their Independent Project. Other tasks might include resolving IT issues, cataloguing new books, running reading groups and organising literary events, amongst many others. Ms Goodwin: Busy! Some of it is cyclical, with an outreach book event each term, and pupil reading groups each week, but a lot of time is spent helping individual pupils with their enquiries, which can vary from finding foreign language newspapers, locating books about Dadaism, or helping a reader find their latest favourite book series. Mrs Morgan: Library sessions with Infant classes, Jackanory Club at lunchtime, pupils popping in at all times during the day to change or choose a new book, emptying the library returns box, with the help of the U3 library monitors, and returning books to shelves. (MM) What's your favourite part of your role? Mr Moore: The interaction with other members of the school community and having the opportunity to help and inspire pupils in terms of their reading and engagement with books and information sources. Ms Goodwin: I still kick myself sometimes that my job actually involves talking to people about books! Mrs Morgan: Many enjoyable parts include: When a pupil comes into the library unsure of what to read, I am able to recommend a selection of books, one of which they take away. They then enjoy reading it so much that they rush into the library a few days later to get the next book in the series or something by the same author, as they’ve loved reading it. Author talks – spreading the buzz of reading throughout the school. This year we have hosted Jess French, Ivan Bates and Annalise Gray, as well as having a book fair run by Norfolk Children’s Book Centre. World Book Week – visits to local bookshop, dressing up on WBD, spreading the love of reading throughout the school. Activities in School – book swaps, book fairies, themed weeks eg Non-Fiction November, Roald Dahl week etc. Themed events – Harry Potter book night, Tiger Who Came to Tea party for Infants Is there anything you're looking forward to? Mr Moore: I’m looking forward to planning for the 2024/25 academic year. We hope to bring in more inspirational authors and we already have some exciting events in the pipeline. Ms Goodwin: I’m always excited about the next book festival and who we might be able to book for it. We’ve had some amazing, inspirational speakers over the years, and I love finding new talent and introducing our pupils to new authors. Mrs Morgan: Further developing the profile of reading across the Lower School. How else do you get involved with Norwich School life? Mr Moore: I’m also a 4th Form tutor and Geography teacher. Ms Goodwin: In addition to my job in the library, I’m also (Joint) Head of Staff Health and Wellbeing, which is a wonderful addition to my role. I love being able to do what I can to help colleagues in their working lives. Mrs Morgan: I am also a teacher in the Lower School for 50% of my time. This enables me to take part in the wider life of the school, and see pupils as learners as well as readers. I teach U3 English and Infant Outdoor Learning so this is a great mixture of lessons! How does the library team work? Mr Moore: The library team’s ethos is very much centred around the sharing of ideas and perspectives. We work on projects and events together and the lower and senior school libraries are mutually supportive of each other. Ms Goodwin: As there are three of us and three libraries, physically we each spend most of our time in one particular library, but we share ideas, support each other with events - and often borrow books from each other! Mrs Morgan: Brilliantly! Regular meetings and we borrow books from each other frequently. 
By Eleanor Lewis June 14, 2024
Since March, our Upper Four pupils have been immersed in the Carnegie Book Award Shadowing Programme, working their way through the books on this year's Carnegie shortlist. This period of intense reading recently culminated in a vibrant discussion afternoon on Friday 14 June where the whole year group got together to share their insights and opinions on the shortlisted titles. Throughout the programme, many pupils have engaged by writing some thoughtful reviews of the books the Carnegie website, reflecting their understanding and appreciation of the books they have read, and demonstrating their critical thinking and analytical skills. After months of reading and reviewing, pupils cast their votes for their favourite book. "Crossing the Line" by Tia Fisher emerged as their top choice, with the remaining votes were spread fairly evenly across the other shortlisted books. In a twist that few people in school saw coming, the official winner announced was "The Boy in the Tree" by Joseph Coelho. A separate Shadowers’ vote was in line with Norwich School’s views, and “Crossing the Line” won this award, voted for by pupils up and down the country. The participation in the shadowing process overall has been excellent, with pupils engaging with books they might not otherwise have chosen, so that the experience ended up broadening their literary horizons and fostering a deeper appreciation of new genres and narratives.
March 1, 2024
In this new series, we will be meeting each of the various book groups throughout the Norwich School, with words from staff and pupils about how these groups have shaped their reading habits and furthered their love of reading. Today, we hear from 2 members of the Fourth Form Book Group; Grace Adlam, U4, and Martha Peane, L4, to get an insight into what happens in Book Group! When and why did you join Book Group? Grace: “L4, I loved reading and my older brother had talked about it” Martha: “I joined book group in September! I joined because I love reading and books” What’s the best thing about coming to weekly meetings? Grace: “Talking about the booking we are reading, reading together and I love the book related games and quizzes!” Martha: “The best thing about coming to the weekly meetings is that we get to do really fun activities and I get to chat to people about books how love reading as much as I do” Has being in the Book Group changed your reading habits at all? If so, how? Grace: “Not really but only because I’ve always read a lot!” Martha: “Being in Book Group has given me lots of reading recommendations!” Have you got any reading recommendations you would like to share? Grace: “The Hunger Games” Martha: “Rooftoppers or The Explorer by Katherine Rundell” In the photos below we can see the Fourth Form Book Group eagerly preparing for the Norwich School Doors Trail on World Book Day!  Throughout the Senior School 36 doors will be decorated in the theme of a certain book and it is up to pupils to follow the trail and win a sweet treat! (Whilst hopefully finding some book recommendations along the way!)
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