The title comes from a letter that writer and professor of Biochemistry Isaac Asimov sent to celebrate the opening of a new library in Troy, Michigan in 1971. He addressed the children of the Troy community: “Congratulations on the new library, because it isn’t just a library. It is a space ship that will take you to the farthest reaches of the Universe, a time machine that will take you to the far past and the far future, a teacher that knows more than any human being, a friend that will amuse you and console you—and most of all, a gateway, to a better and happier and more useful life.”

He was right. Libraries truly are life-enhancing places of interest, wonder and enjoyment. A school library is a barometer of its own attitude towards education. According to research carried out by the National Literacy Trust, school libraries “have a positive impact on all areas of pupils’ learning, including the development of reading and writing skills, their wellbeing and overall academic attainment.” In a time in which many libraries are closing and some school libraries are being given over entirely to computers, we are hugely fortunate to have libraries which are flourishing and at the heart of our community. 

This term marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Senior School’s Taylor Library, which was opened on 9 November, 1973. Cyril and Catherine Taylor, residents of Reading and committed philanthropists, generously donated the money to pay for the library and to give a special and ongoing gift to Abbey students and staff. It houses an amazing approximately 45,000 items and makes an average of 7,904 loans a year. It is a place of calm reflection and individual exploration at the heart of our busy school.

Brilliantly organised by our school librarian, we are working on a wide range of events to mark the library’s birthday. These will include everything from a tea party to reading challenges to a competition to produce a commemorative portrait of the Taylors to hang in the library. This term’s assemblies, given by staff and students, will be themed around books and reading. So far, titles include: ‘Literature for female empowerment’, ‘Ancient libraries’, ‘How a PhD in Chemistry affected my reading’ and ‘book burning’ as well as many others.

The great philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who donated money for over 2500 libraries between 1883 and 1929 and changed many lives through his thoughtful generosity, said: “a library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never-failing spring in the desert.” I hope that our students and staff will enjoy and take a lot from this term’s exciting and extending range of library events and will continue to use and enjoy the school libraries to the full. I will end where I began with Isaac Asimov. He is truly right that libraries are ‘gateways’ to so much and it feels fitting to be writing about them here.

Sarah Tullis, Senior Deputy Head