Lending resources
Lending Resources An issue system is useful because it allows you to keep track of books as they are borrowed record and assess children’s reading habits encourage children to be responsible for their borrowing monitor the popularity of the library…
Library Management Systems
Library management systems Ideally, a school library will have a specialist computerised management system that is networked throughout the school. Teachers need to be able to model independent learning skills using the library catalogue both in the classroom and in the…
Signs and Guiding
Guiding / Labels Clear guiding and signs will help to make the library easy for children to use. Fiction, picture book, reference section and information book shelving all need guiding, and all books should be labelled on the spine. Signs and guides include:…
What books and resources do you need
What do you need? Selection A school library’s role is to inspire and excite young readers and meet their educational demands. So, stock has to be appropriate in terms of the curriculum, interests and reading ages of the pupils. As well…
How to choose a good book
What to think about when choosing stock Set and use criteria with content, bias, accuracy, currency, and relevance in mind. Select books that are well-made, printed on good quality paper with bindings that will withstand little hands. Select stock to meet pupils’…
Who Selects stock?
Who Selects stock? The librarian/library co-ordinator has overall responsibility of stock selection and maintenance. Points to consider: Do all staff have opportunities to recommend resources? Are specialist curriculum and interest areas recognised? How does the library stock relate to classroom…
Creating the Environment
Creating the Environment Spaces / Environment The school library should be exciting and welcoming and identifiably different from classrooms. As a multi-media interactive learning environment, it motivates pupils to explore resources for curriculum related work and their personal interests and…
Where to buy books
Where to buy books Your nearest Schools Library Service can advise you on the best places to buy stock. Library Suppliers A library supplier is a company that specialises in providing books from a wide variety of publishers – with plastic…
Design
Design Library design is a specialist skill that can be provided by library furnishing suppliers or Schools Library Service staff. They have experience of designing for purpose, making the best use of the space available so that the core purpose of promoting…
Shelves and furniture
Shelves, furniture and fittings Shelving Specialist library shelving is designed to be fit for purpose and is tested for resilience and life expectancy. It is generally reasonably priced (with wooden shelves marginally more expensive than metal) and, if properly…
