We are constantly aware of how our world is moving at an ever faster rate and it feels impossible to keep up with knowledge not directly related to our core work.  In terms of the school library this is where I am able to help.

Book knowledge

I offer sessions looking at modern classics and new titles aimed at staff from Foundation to KS3.  These sessions can be tailored to the needs of the school and the curriculum.  Areas that can be looked at are

Books for emotional Literacy

Reluctant readers

The Joy of Picture books

Visual Literacy

Fiction in the Curriculum

New titles of the past year

World War I and II

Manga and Comics (Graphic Novels)

Please contact me to discuss any other theme that you would like me to work on with you.

 

Running a primary school library

Running an LRC

Both of these courses are aimed at those people with little or no library experience, or who come from another sector, and who need to get up to speed with the requirements of running their particular environment.  The courses can be tailored to meet the needs of individuals, but will cover the very basic and practical as well as the more advanced elements of the job.  It can cover any of the following:

• how to layout a library                                                                                                       
• The Dewey system
• Fiction arrangements
• stock purchase and forward planning
• Judging a book, both fiction and information
• admin processes
• using the library software/issue system
• Library policy
• role of the librarian

 

Research Skills and Digital Literacy

A major part of the librarian’s role is to enable their users to gain the maximum benefit from using the library and new digital technologies.  The range will depend on the individual schools but all children should be confident about using books and other media to retrieve the information that they need.  Training can involve:

• Basic library induction for primary age children and also year 7
• working with teachers to integrate library searches into their lesson plans, so that they are integral to the learning process.
• Understanding the dangers of the internet and the  ways of minimising the issues
• Learning how to develop a question, search, evaluate, and  confirm the validity of the  information found
• Understanding the layout of an information book, how to search indexes and contents
• use keywords

Local History and the School

This is a subject area that has been popular over the years in a variety of guises. It has now found greater prominance and can be used to link to a whole range to other topics.  With a background in history and several local history projects undertaken with libraries and schools, I am able to offer a half day training on a range of areas and ideas for how you can increase children’s awarenessof their area, society and culture.