Libraries
School Library Service
The aim of the School Library Service is to provide a valuable educational resource for teachers.
It is run on an agency basis for the Adult and Community Services Department and is available to primary teachers, student teachers and advisory teachers who work in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.
A wide range of facilities are on offer from the School Library Service, which is situated in Muirhead Quay, on the Fresh Wharf estate, but visits are by appointment only. Please contact 020 8724 8531 to make an appointment to visit.
Opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9.30am - 5pm, including school holidays and term time.
Curriculum support loans
Primary phase teachers working in Barking and Dagenham can borrow up to 30 books and one audiovisual item at a time from the collection based at Muirhead Quay.
This service is available as part of their school's service level agreement. Material can be chosen in person, or requested by telephone, fax, post or email.
The resources in the project loan collection are chosen with the Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and 2 of the National Curriculum in mind, and new titles are regularly added. Copies of the request form are available in Schools or from the School Library Service.
Collections are issued for a term, and can be renewed for a further term. Loans can be exchanged more often if required. A van service delivers and collects project collections.
Loans are automatically delivered as soon as possible after being requested, but schools need to contact the School Library Service to arrange for collection. Delivery and collection day is usually Wednesday.
Secondary school teachers can also use the Curriculum Support Loan service. Requests should be made through the Librarian or Learning Resources Officer in their school.
Curriculum Support Loan Request Form 
PDF 65K
To view PDF files requires the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software.
Book Purchase Scheme
Subscribing schools are encouraged to visit the Schools Library Service, by appointment, to select books for their school library or classroom collections from a wide range of fiction and non-fiction texts, dual language books, SATs titles and big books.
Titles or subjects not immediately available can be ordered at a competitive discount through the Schools Library Service. Where teachers find it difficult to access the showroom, staff can select material on their behalf.
A financial arrangement has been agreed whereby schools can invest in extra books by transferring money from their own budgets.
Book Purchase Scheme Request Form PDF 106K
Further information is available from Freda Golland at the address shown.
Special Loan Collections
We have special loan collections which can be requested in the same way as Curriculum Support Loans. The range includes material for Black History Month, author collections, folk and fairy tales and challenging picture books.
Training
The Senior Librarian, Young People and Schools is available to assist with training on aspects of school library provision. Please contact the Schools Library Service for more information.
Book time
Book time is a national free book gifting scheme which is aimed at children who have just started school. Each reception class child receives a free pack containing a picture book - there is a different title every year.
The books are given to encourage parents to share books with their children and enable them to develop as enthusiastic readers Packs are delivered directly to schools. There are special resource packs to support teachers and library staff with activities related to the chosen title.
Teachers can ask for Book time activities to be included in visits to libraries by their reception classes. For more information, visit the Book time website.
Class visits to libraries
Visits by school classes to any Borough library are very welcome. These can be arranged with the Librarian of the library you wish to visit.
Visits may include an introduction to the library, a story session, developing reading for information or choosing books for a school loan. Arrangements can be made to suit individual classes.
Advisory visits
Professional librarians are available to advise on any area related to school libraries and resources.
This includes the organisation and management of a school library as well as book selection and the development of reading for information skills.
Talks in schools
Librarians are always pleased to share their knowledge of children's books and library resources, including talks to parents on reading with children, displays and library promotion talks at parents' evenings, book talks to children and In Service Training (INSET) sessions on resource organisation and use.
Teachers are welcome to telephone the School Library Service to discuss their requirements.
Book promotion
Schools that are having book promotion weeks are invited to contact the School Library Service for information on publishers and authors. Promotional material such as competitions and colouring sheets can be provided. Book promotion materials such as posters are sent to schools when available.
