Support and Advice for School Librarians, Library Assistants and Voluntary Helpers
If you have recently started work in a school library and are not sure where to begin, if you are planning a library development project and would like some advice or practical assistance, or if you would just like a chat about the current situation in your library the School Library Service's Advisors will be able to help.
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 the use of the library and closer working with teaching colleagues
- Information about newly published books that will appeal to children and young people
An annual programme of training courses always provides more detailed help many of these areas.
If we can help in any way please do not hesitate to get in touch.
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Name: School Library Service
Email: schoollibraryservice@dorsetcc.gov.uk
Tel: 01258 451151 / 451499
Fax: 01258 480076
Full details for School Library Service
