The school library is named after Charles Plumptre Johnson, Chairman of Governors from 1926 to 1938 and generous benefactor of the school. Originally built in 1932 as an assembly and sports hall, it was converted into its present structure in 1972. It is located in the centre of the school campus and provides a quiet area for private study and leisure reading.

The library has a stock of just over 24,000 books, some 4,500 of which are fiction, as well as a collection of videos, DVDs and CDs of classical music, jazz and world music. The range of non-fiction reflects the needs of the school curricula, pupils’ hobbies and personal interests. The fiction section contains all classics of literature as well as current popular reading for juniors and adults. Books and audio-visual materials not held in the library are obtained from the British Library or public libraries. There are six daily newspapers and around 70 magazine titles, including foreign language papers and periodicals. The library catalogue can be accessed by all library users on three dedicated computers. Electronic research is available on 14 networked computers, with access to the internet and a range of CD-roms, educational videos and the online databases to which the library subscribes.

The upstairs gallery seats 70 and is used by sixth formers in their study periods. During break, lunchtime and after school all pupils make use of library facilities. Downstairs there are two comfortable reading areas, amongst the papers on the stage and in the fiction section. There is a photocopy room for all to use, and scanner and colour copying are available on request. New pupils are taught library and research skills in induction sessions, and teachers bring classes in to encourage use of a range of information sources.

Opening hours are 8am to 8.30pm, Monday to Friday and 8am to 4pm on Saturdays in term time. On Fridays before half-terms and exeat weekends the library closes at 5pm.

There are two full-time and two part-time librarians, two of which are fully qualified. A team of school prefects help with library supervision at lunchtimes. Eight pupils from the Junior School and eight from the Senior School form library committees, which forward suggestions for new additions to stock and contribute to plans for events.

Book Week is celebrated each October and author visits and book sales are arranged throughout the year. Book displays and leaflets promote a variety of topics and advertise new additions to the library.