The library is the resource centre of the School and works closely with the School community to ensure rational and extensive use of all available resources for the School's educational programs.

Underlying the library's aims and objectives are the following ideals:

• Library users will find the Weeks Library to be relevant to thier information needs.
• Library users will find an attractive and welcoming environment in the Weeks Library.
• Library users will find the library systems simple in organisation and effective in retrieval of resources.
• Students will want to use the library and its resources as they become enthusiastic readers and independent information consumers.
• Teaching information skills is a whole school responsibility.
• School-wide programs address the skills of information and information and communication technologies (ICT) literacy through resource-based inquiry learning.

Information about the Weeks Library, its facilities and services is provided in pamphlet format or it can be viewed online-HVGS.Net. Library StaffMembers of the library staff include:

• One full-time teacher librarian: Mrs Elaine Barker  J.P. (Head of Information & Resources)
• One part-time teacher librarian: Mrs Kelli Green
• One full-time library technician: Mrs Sue Pinnock
• Two part-time library technicians: Mrs Kelly John & Mrs Terena Anderson (Term 2-2007)

Additionally, the volunteer services of members of the school community are actively encouraged to assist library services in such areas as book covering, resource tidying etc. 

Referencing & Style Guides 
Students in Years 9-12 are issued with a style guide that provides an explanation of how to compile bibliographies and prepare footnotes.  The material is also available under Bibliographies on the School's intranet/moodle site (HVGS.Net) for easy access. 

Time in the Library & Library LessonsEarly Learning Centre (ELC) 
Children attending the Early Learning Centre(ELC) visit the library with ELC staff and parents to browse and borrow.  Supervision is regulated by ELC staff, whilst Weeks Library staffmembers assist with borrowing.  ELC members of staff regularly borrow resources from the Weeks Library in order to stock ELC bookshelves. 

Junior School 
Students in K-6 have regular timetabled lessons with the teacher librarian each week. The lessons provide an opportunity for students to develop library and information skills set out to train students to define, locate, organise, present and assess information.  Students also research material for tasks the class has been set. The enjoyment of such books and reading is encouraged when each class visits the library.  Visits by authors and special events such as Children's Wee help stimulate interest in literature.  The Kids' Own Australian Literature Awards (KOALA), the Premier Reading Challenge and the MS Readathon are promoted to students each year. 

Years 7-12
For all secondary students, library skills are incorporated in teaching information skills across the curriculum in co-operation with subject teachers when required / requested. Year 7 classes receive library orientation or "refresher" lessons as part of their introduction to High School.  "Refresher" lessons are available to all staff and students who wish to have them. Students in Years 11 and 12 spend study periods in the library as do students on varied timetables. 

Library Hours 
During school terms the Weeks Library is open from 8.15am until 4.00pm, Monday to Friday.  

Use of the Library 
Students may use the library before school from 8:15am-8:30am, at recess, lunchtime and after school from 3:00pm-4:00pm.  The closing time will be subject to variation part way through Term 4 each year to allow staff to do stocktaking.  The library closes one recess each week.  The library has two main study areas, a reading area, a classroom and some study rooms that are available for use by staff and students. 

Weeks Library Facilities
The Weeks Library is fully automated and used the Softlink Alice library management system.  Staff and students may retrieve information by using SUBJECT, AUTHOR, TITLE, SERIES or KEYWORD to find the resource they are looking for.  More advanced searches can be done by library staff.   The resource collection in the Weeks Library is extensive and constantly updated. Resource material is also available through the library's subscription to infocus, a service provided by the State Library. Such material includes photographs, recordings, maps, heritage materials, newspaper clippings and journal articles. The library has computers with access to the School's network - HVGS.Net and the World Wide Web.  Students in Years 3-12 each have their own password to easily access the online services.  Online references such as WebsterWorld and Webster elearning can be accessed this way. The Weeks Library has access to 10 educational television channels through AUSTAR for Schools.  Also, Behind the News resource material is available and the associated programs may be viewed through the School's computer network. 

New Resources
Information regarding new resources is made available in the School's newsletter and new books are regularly displayed on the "New Books" stand. 

Photocopying
Photocopying is free for students but they should be mindful of avoiding waste. A record of photocopying is kept at the enquiry counter and students are to complete the information each time the photocopier is used. 

Computer Use
Students are required to abide by the School's "acceptable use" policy when using the computers in the library.  The library offers access to the intenet on a number of terminals and research for educational purposes has priority.  At lunchtime,use is restricted to 15 minutes only and bookings must be made at the enquiry counter.  The playing of games on the library computers is not permitted.  The settings on the computers do not allow students to store materials on the hard drive, students may save material to the School's network. The computers are connected to a networked printer and access to a colour printer is also available. 

Borrowing
Students each have an allocated barcode.  The barcodes for students in Year P-6 are retained in a folder for ready access at the enquiry desk whilst students in Years 7-12 are issued with a library card to which the barcode is attached. The card must be produced if students wish to brorow.  Students in P-9 classes are allowed 4 items from the fiction and/or non fiction collection for 2 weeks. Students in Years 10,11 and 12 are allowed 6 items from the fiction and/or non fiction collection for 2 weeks.  These students may also borrow two "other" items that may include videotapes, DVD's, audio cassettes, CD ROMs and Teacher Reference material. 

Periodical Collection
The library subscribes to a large number of periodicals. All current periodicals are on display in the main library whilst older copies are located in the journal room. Online access to some journals is also available.  Access to indexes of periodical is available through Newscan, on the School's network.

Beyond the Weeks Library
OPEN DOOR - Access to Newcastle University's Libraries
Students in Years 7-12 may participate in the University of Newcastle's OPEN DOOR Program which enables them to join the University of Newcastle's libraries themselves and have access to a range of resources.  More information about the program and the application forms are available from Weeks Library staff. 

Censorship
Materials held in the collection support the concept that the purpose of education is the investigation of ideas.  Therefore some materials that may be considered controversial will be included in the collection, in order that a range of views may be presented.  No materials will be excluded on the basis of race, nationality, religious, political or personal views of the writer.  An attempt shall always be made to provide materials that present a range of viewpoints on matters of controversy.  The Weeks Library supports the ideas of intellectual freedom, the right to read and access to information as expressed in the Australian School Library Bill of Rights. Library staff (and when necessary the Head of School, Heads of House, Section Heads and Curriculum Heads) deal with complaints about materials in the library and judge each item on its merits, considering the materials "in context".  A Disputed Materials" form is available for completion when reconsideration of library materials is requested. 

Copyright
Guidelines for copyright are in accordance with agreements set out by the Association of Independent Schools and the Australian Copyright Council.