Senior School Libraries
Senior School Libraries
In the Senior School, we have two libraries: The Undercroft and the Reynolds Library.
The Undercroft Library
Both of the Senior School Libraries are located in the Bishop’s Palace, built in the 11th century under Bishop Losinga at the same time as Norwich Cathedral. For most of its early history, the Undercroft was used as a beer cellar or kitchen for the historic Palace.
This space has proved versatile since Norwich School took over the Bishop's Palace in 1961. Over the years, it has served as a Sixth Form common room, a storeroom, a tutor group space, and most recently as one of our libraries.
Today, the Undercroft is a dynamic library offering desk seating areas and comfortable, soft-furnished spaces for relaxing with a good book. It is home to the fiction collection and hosts the school's Reading Groups, the annual Poetry Slam, and Winter Library Lock-ins. At break and lunchtimes it is a busy, vibrant space used primarily by Fourth Formers.
The fiction collection consists of over 6,000 titles, including short stories, manga, graphic novels, and some biographies. This collection is regularly updated to follow popular trends and represent diverse voices and interests. While much of the collection is primarily borrowed by Lower Four to Lower Five pupils, there are plenty of reading options for Fifth Form and Sixth Form students, including dedicated Sixth Form fiction shelves.
The library has expanded to F5 in Fleming, where another collection of classic and popular literature can be found, and pupils can borrow a range of timeless and well-loved titles from here.
With a self-service point, borrowing books is quick and convenient for pupils. The Undercroft Library is also the centre for the annual Bookbuzz programme and serves as the hub for our Carnegie Shadowing Programme in Upper Four.
Pupils can borrow up to 3 books at a time for a three-week period.
The Undercroft Library is open from 8.00 am to 5.30 pm in term time.
The Reynolds Library
This Senior School Library is connected to the Bishop’s Palace, built in the 11th century under Bishop Losinga.
The Reynolds Library was added by Bishop Reynolds in the 17th century, and for most of its history served as the bishops' private chapel. In Victorian times a corridor was added to enable congregants to reach the Chapel from the Palace without needing to go outside. It remained a chapel until the 1960s when it was converted into a library for the school by the Worshipful Company of Dyers. Bishop Reynolds is buried in the chapel, now the library, and his grave is marked by a memorial plaque which can be found at the rear of the space.
Today, the Reynolds Library houses around 6,000 non-fiction titles, arranged according to the Dewey Decimal Classification. Subjects in this library include History, Economics, Modern Foreign Languages, Sciences, Art, and many more.
During the school day, the Reynolds Library primarily serves as a quiet study area for Sixth Form students. After school, it becomes a space where Fourth Form pupils can do their homework. The library is equipped with a set of laptops, as well as a printer and photocopier for pupil use.
The large and versatile space is occasionally used for House assemblies or rehearsals for House Music, accommodating various school activities beyond its primary function as a library.
Pupils can borrow up to 3 books at a time for a three-week period.
The Reynolds Library is open from 8.00 am to 5.30 pm in term time.
