There's lots going on in the library!

The John Cain Library is a welcoming community space that directly supports the school’s teaching and learning programs. It is used extensively by students who come to read, study, play games, socialise and relax. We have developed a high-quality collection of young adult and adult fiction, including eBooks; audio books; graphic fiction and foreign language titles; plus, access to online research resources.

The library supports the development of students as readers and digitally literate learners by:

Providing all students with equitable access to the wide range of contemporary physical and digital resources they need to complete their course work
Encouraging a love of books and reading for pleasure
Delivering orientation and research skills programs
Assisting students in safely navigating digital environments and protecting their privacy
Running a thriving lunchtime book club and student assistant program

Opening Hours 2022

The library opens at 8.15am and closes at 4.00pm, during this time it is a place for students to learn, socialise and hang out.

Any changes to hours due to special events will be advertised.

Borrowing

Students can borrow up to 15 books for two weeks. Items on loan can be renewed once either at the library desk or online by signing into the library website using your Compass username and password. Students can also place their own reservations and check their reading history.

Library Website

To access the John Cain Library website, use the link in the Compass favourites.

The website will give you access to the library catalogue, eBooks and Audiobooks, Journals, Research Guides, Clickview, online newspapers and links to a range of different databases.

Services

Photocopiers and printers can be accessed from students' laptops and networked computers. All students are allocated printing credits at the start of the year, through their Compass username and PIN. Please ask library staff if you require assistance.

Collections

The library has an excellent fiction collection (print, eBooks and Audiobooks) catering mainly to teenagers and young adults. Library staff encourage students to recommend new titles and authors. Our non-fiction collection covers mostly curriculum areas as well as some recreational reading. We also have a biography collection, graphic fiction (manga), magazines, newspapers, and streamed ClickView programs.

Our language print collections include Chinese, Italian, French and Greek books.

eBooks and Audiobooks

To access the libraries collection of eBooks and audiobooks download the Wheelers App to your phone or device.

Sign in with your credentials:

Username: your NHS email

Password: your Compass password

STEM Collection

The libraries STEM collection is built around the United Nations Sustainability goals and student activism via the Green Team.

Student Assistant Program

We run a student assistant program training students to help in the library during recess, lunchtimes and after school. Students Assistants also meet each term with library staff as part of our student advisory team. Please see library staff if you would like to join the Library Student Assistant Program.

Library Book Club

All students are welcome to join our thriving Book Club run every Wednesday at lunch time in L4. Bring your lunch and join the student led conversations about books and all things about literature.

Clickview Streamed Programs

ClickView is a film and documentary streaming platform designed to support teaching and learning in the classroom. NHS student can view all ClickView programs at school without using any of their data allowance.

NHS staff and students sign in via Compass

Username: Your NHS email Password: Compass password

LibGuides

LibGuides are research guides to support a range of topics and texts studied in classes. LibGuides provide a wide range of resources, such as useful websites, databases, study guides, interviews, podcasts, journal articles and more. Staff and students can access LibGuides via the library website,

Food and Drink within the Library

Water and small snacks are allowed within the library space, soft drinks and lunch are to be eaten outside or in the foyer. When using the library all rubbish is to be cleaned up, this is to ensure all students can enjoy the library space.

The Readings Teen Advisory Board

Readings is an independent retailer of books, music, and film, with seven shops operating in Melbourne – as well as a specialty children’s and young adults store in Carlton.

The John Cain Library at Northcote has a strong relationship with Readings as a supplier for our collection, and the Library staff would like to encourage students to consider applying for the 2022 Readings Teen Advisory Board.

Read on for more details:

What is the Readings Teen Advisory Board?

The Readings Teen Advisory Board is a volunteer group of teenagers that meets once a month to learn about careers in the book industry, chat about recent and forthcoming young adult books, write blog posts and short reviews, and provide feedback to Readings staff members and publishers on a range of subjects.

Applications for the 2022 Readings Teen Advisory Board are now open!

This year, the board will be run online and we welcome applications from teenagers, aged 14-19, from anywhere in Australia. We are an equal opportunity bookshop and encourage diverse applicants to apply for these volunteer positions, including but not limited to, those with a disability, First Nations and LGBTQI+ applicants. All are welcome.

If you would like to join the board, please tell us why you would like to take part, the types of books you like to read, and why you love bookshops.

Your application should be a single page document of no more than 500 words, in either Word or PDF format, addressing the points above and including your name, age and contact details.

Send your application to teenadvisoryboard@readings.com.au by 5pm, Friday 11 March 2022.

The Library Team

Richard, Diana and Danielle

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Information for Parents