"The large, well-equipped school library has furthered opportunities for all pupils to extend their skills playing an important role in promoting a culture of wider reading and motivating pupils by providing a space for creativity and literacy skills."

ISI Inspection Report 2022

The library at Summer Fields plays an important role in promoting a culture of wider reading, motivated readers and learners for life.  It also provides a vital space for creativity and for developing independent research and literacy skills.

The school library is located in what was once New Room, the oldest teaching space in the school. Fully refurbished in 2021, it is situated centrally on the ground floor providing a welcoming and inspiring space where young minds can explore and learn.

Boys can choose to curl up and read a book in one of the comfortable sofas in the main fiction library, research a project of interest in the Non-Fiction Reading Room, browse the magazines and newspapers in the Reading Room, visit the 'Living History' display in the dedicated archive room or perhaps get on with quiet study on the mezzanine level.  On a warm sunny day, they may wish to take their book outside to sit and read on the terrace.

The Library is always open, providing works of fiction as well as a wide range of resources to support the curriculum. Boys are given many opportunities to read for pleasure, and they all have a book on the go at all times.

The Library includes a collection of over 7,000 fiction, non-fiction and reference books, as well as magazines and has a capacity of up to 10,000 books. The catalogue can be accessed from any computer in the school, enabling pupils to search and reserve resources for later visits to the Library. They can also borrow books in the absence of the Librarian using the self-circulation system.

Boys participate in the organisation of the Library and have the opportunity to volunteer as Library Assistants, helping out every day at morning break. Suggestions for books are always very welcome.

The Library is also booked for lessons on a regular basis by the teaching staff. The Librarian and the English Department regularly organise a range of activities to promote reading, such as Book Week, quiz competitions, themed displays or visits of authors.

"…an architecturally stunning environment that echoes the ‘work hard but be boys’ undercurrent."

Talk Education 2023