Support and Advice for Teachers

If you have recently taken on responsibility for your school library and are not sure where to start, if your school is planning a new or refurbished library or if you would like to ensure that the library is better used, advice and practical assistance from the School Library Service's Advisors will save you time and help to ensure success.

How to contact us:

We can be contacted by phone or email, please see our contact details, and will be happy to have an informal chat about how we can help.

Many schools include the advisory service in their annual package but it can also be accessed on a pay as you use basis. In most cases we are able to provide initial advice free of charge.

What we can offer:

Some of the common help and advice we provide includes

• Drafting library policy and development plans
• Evaluating the library – often using the Department for Children, Schools and Families published booklet on Self-evaluation within the library
• Pre-OFSTED inspection reports
• Choice of Library Management Systems (computerised catalogues and issue systems), or advice on up-grading to web-based versions
• Evaluating library stock for condition, relevance and bias
• Identifying stock gaps and suggesting material to purchase
• Training for library staff – support staff, parent helpers or pupil librarians
• Advice on library design and organisation
• Demystifying the Dewey classification and suggesting ways to help pupils find their way around
• Suggesting ways to improve use of the library
• Information about newly published books which are likely to appeal to children and young people

An annual programme of training courses provides more detailed help in many of these areas.

If you think we can help in any way please do not hesitate to get in touch.

• Name: School Library Service
  Email: schoollibraryservice@dorsetcc.gov.uk
  Tel: 01258 451151 / 451499
  Fax: 01258 480076
  Full details for School Library Service