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School groups are invited to visit any of Oldham’s 13 libraries for informative and fun sessions. For teachers there is the opportunity to take some of the many resources available back to the classroom.
Oldham Bookstart Scheme is part of a nationwide programme aimed at giving children a love of books from as early an age as possible. The project offers FREE packs of books at three interventions 6-8 months, 18-24 months (distributed by Health professionals) and the Bookstart Treasure Chest distributed to 3-4 year olds in Early Years settings. For more information contact Janet Harrison on 0161 770 8013 or email janet.harrison@oldham.gov.uk
Oldham Library Service offers free loan of books to officially recognised early years settings. A collection of books may be borrowed and exchanged up to three times a year. The standard number of books borrowed is 35, but this is negotiable to suit your requirements.
We offer story times to suit all curriculum requirements. The children can exchange books and listen to a story in the safe and secure surroundings of the library. Activity sheets which reflect the story/topic can also be provided.
This is a general one-off visit to introduce young people to the library. The session is suitable for all age groups and last for about 45 minutes.
This session offers a simple introduction to the library setting and the literature on offer, followed by the exciting experience of choosing a book to take home. The session supports family literacy and encourages return visits to the library by parents and children. Parental Consent forms are provided prior to the visit in order to ensure each child has a valid library card. The session can incorporate story time activities to suit your curriculum requirements or classroom theme.
Includes an introduction to the library; how to join; who can join; what kind of books are available and how the library is arranged. The session highlights the library’s excellence as a place to research non fiction books using the subject index and the Dewey classification system. Time is also allocated to looking at books and choosing a title to take home - this part of the session is designed to support family literacy and encourage return visits to the library by parents and children. Parental Consent forms are provided before the visit, in order to ensure each child has a valid library card. The session can incorporate story time activities to suit your curriculum requirements or classroom theme.
This session offers a more detailed look at locating fiction and non-fiction books through use of the subject index and Dewey Classification System. It is an ideal workshop for developing student research skills so that they can independently source information for school topics, homework projects etc. A hands-on activity is included in the visit. The opportunity to look at and borrow books will also be made available as part of our work to support family literacy and encourage return visits to the library by parents and children. Story time activities to suit your curriculum requirements or classroom theme are also available as part of this workshop.
Oldham Libraries can tailor your visit to the National Curriculum. School classes are invited to find out what information is available on a particular topic, e.g. Healthy Eating, Tudors, etc. Resources introduced and used in the session include non-fiction books, encyclopaedias and the Internet. If students are library members they can also choose and borrow books. Parental consent forms can be provided before the visit if you would like to ensure your students have a valid library membership card.
Usually in Summer Term, after SATs.
This session focuses on informing students about the library services that are available to them during their time at senior school. A particular emphasis is placed on homework related support. Students will gain a general knowledge of the resources available to them e.g. books, newspapers and periodicals. They will also be shown how to use the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC), how to make reservations, how to operate the photocopier and how to search on the Internet. The session will also highlight the fact that students can use any of the libraries in Oldham including Oldham Local Studies and Archives on Union Street.
During the session emphasis is also placed on using the library for pleasure when homework is done – this includes providing details about DVD and CD loans, the chance to borrow books, and information about library social groups such as Young Readers’ meetings. All 13 of Oldham’s libraries are open during school holidays and they all offer at least one evening session.
Oldham Library’s Homework Centre works in partnership with schools to develop the education, skills and employability of children and young people in Oldham. The dedicated space is run by friendly and experienced staff who manage the centre in line with National Curriculum and Key Stage developments using the latest books, websites and CD ROMs. Benefits for students include free computer, Internet and printer use and access to specific revision sessions for SATs and GCSEs. The overall aims of the Homework Centre are to:
Raise achievement in schools.
Increase access to ICT.
Promote equality of opportunity for all children and young people.
Improve information seeking skills and information literacy.
Boost community cohesion and social inclusion.
Identify and respond to the needs of schools, children and young people.
Oldham Library Homework Centre is committed to helping your pupils fulfil their potential, please encourage them to attend after school. For further information and to discuss how we can support your school and students contact Kate Harrop, Homework Centre Supervisor on 0161 770 8041 or email kate.harrop@oldham.gov.uk The Homework Centre is located in Oldham Library and Lifelong Learning Centre, Greaves Street, Oldham, OL1 1AL.
Librarians are available to visit schools during Book Weeks where they can provide a general introduction to the Library Service and read stories that link to the National Curriculum and/or classroom topics. Librarians are also able (subject to availability) to attend parents evenings or new intake meetings. Some of Oldham’s libraries also have the resources to send a member of staff to help walk the children to and from school to the library.
In the build up to the summer holidays Librarians are happy to visit schools to promote the Summer Reading Challenge. This is a national reading game which aims to keep ‘literacy warm’ throughout the summer break. The project is incentive led offering stickers, prizes and certificates to those that engage in the scheme. The project also offers the chance for children aged 4-11 years to socialise during the holidays at themed story time and craft sessions that are held in the safe and secure environment of Oldham Libraries.
A reading group is a group of children (sometimes with parents), who meet regularly to discuss books and enjoy book-related activities. For more information about Young Readers’ Groups meeting at Oldham Libraries click here. Also watch out for Family Reading Week which falls in October - most libraries offer linked events.
For more information, or to book a visit please contact your local library.
To discuss anything relating to the Children’s Library Service that is not included above please contact Beverley Fitzsimons on 0161 770 8014 or email beverley.fitzsimons@oldham.gov.uk