SLA Guidelines and Case Studies

A series of publications which give practical help to all those responsible for running a school library and build up into a useful reference resource. Most conclude with a case study, a further reading list, and other useful sources of information.

Crossing the Divide: Induction and Transition in the Secondary School LRC (4th Edition 2009)

by Geoff Dubber

ISBN 9781903446522 · 4th Edition · 2009

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This popular Guideline Plus is now republished in a fully updated and expanded edition incorporating the latest government thinking across the UK about induction at age 11+ in general and how these thoughts can be applied to school library work.

It also includes transition ideas for the 14+ students about to start exam courses, induction for 6th Formers and the often neglected area of adults new to the school too. Reference is also made to creating induction links between schools and higher education.

Some new case studies complete this essential title on developing positive attitudes in newcomers and a focused working environment throughout the secondary school.
Start With the Youngest: The Library for Nursery and Infant Children

by Dawn Woods

ISBN 9781903446515 · 2009

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Start With the Youngest is a long awaited brand new title in the Guidelines series, written by an experienced schools' library service manager. It is vitally important to introduce and familiarise our youngest children in nurseries and infant schools to the world of books, reading and libraries. This Guideline gives practical advice on how to set up and run a library for the youngest children.

Full of practical ideas, it discusses possible locations, furnishings, policies, use and much more.

This new Guideline also includes two case studies - one with a reader development focus and the other outlining some work carried out with a top infant class who were using the library for topic research.

Due for publication in mid 2009. Available to pre-order now.
Cool, Calm and Collected: Managing Behaviour in the Secondary School Library

by Claire Larson and Geoff Dubber

ISBN 9781903446492 · March 2009

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Working effectively with young people and adults in a busy secondary school library is an essential part of the work of all the staff. The earlier edition of this popular Guideline had been out of print for three years, but the book has now been fully updated and revised in the light of 'Every Child Matters'.

With a range of new case studies written by established and well known school librarians who share their own experiences, it will look at the issues surrounding behaviour management - style and image, body language, use of whole school policies and of course it suggests strategies to use with groups and individuals. It also includes a section on working with adults in the school library context - not always the easiest of users.

A sample extract from Section Three: General Strategies is available as a PDF download (134 KB).
Paperwork Made Easy: Policy Making and Development Planning for the Secondary School Library

by Lynn Winkworth and Geoff Dubber

ISBN 9781903446478 · July 2008

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Putting together and then regularly updating a policy and a development plan is part of the essential work of everyone who runs an effective secondary school library. This updated and revised Guideline Plus gives you all the basics you need to do both jobs. It takes you carefully through the steps needed to produce a realistic and comprehensive policy and again gives you the route to produce a credible and meaningful development plan. The core text of the previous edition has been updated and the authors have included a range of new policies, new opening statements to policies and new development plans.

Further examples of policies and development plans are available exclusively to SLA members on the related page of the SLA's website: http://www.sla.org.uk/paperwork/
A Primary School Information Skills Toolkit

by Geoff Dubber

ISBN 9781903446447 · April 2008

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Many primary school teachers and library staff are keen to develop information literacy skills in a real curriculum context. Here is just the toolkit to help, developed as a companion volume to the SLA's Guideline Cultivating Curiosity: Information Literacy Skills and the Primary School Library. Stuffed with lots of wide ranging practical strategies and pupil-based activities and templates, this pack is freely photocopiable by the purchasing school. As well as an easy to use commentary, you will find ideas to develop and practise all the key target information literacy research skills: planning, locating and gathering, selecting and appraising, organising and recording, communicating and evaluating.
Cultivating Curiosity: Information Literacy Skills and the Primary School Library

by Geoff Dubber

ISBN 9781903446423 · January 2008

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Cultivating curiosity in children in primary schools is one of the most important things that we can do for them. Developing an enthusiasm for learning is at the very heart of human development and a central reason for teaching information literacy, and is a crucial focus for school library work. This updated and revised Guideline, taking account of the 2007 Government literacy teaching objectives, explains the importance of embedding information literacy into a whole school, ICT and curriculum context. It outlines and explains the processes of research for young children and shows ways that teachers and librarians can develop and promote information literacy and related ICT skills through the primary school library and link it to classroom practice. It also includes a very useful and practical case study, some templates and a reading list.
Ideas and Designs: Creating the Environment for the Primary School Library

by Michael Dewe

ISBN 9781903446393 · October 2007

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We need flexible and stimulating spaces for exciting learning and never more so than with a new build or refurbished school library. Written by Mike Dewe, an authority on library design, this new Guideline takes us easily through the thinking and design process, offering clear advice at all stages and making reference to primary school libraries that he has recently visited.
With a list of useful publications and websites, it also provides two very useful and relevant case studies of schools planning and building new libraries.
Blogs and Bytes: ICT and the Secondary School Library

by Marianne Bradnock

ISBN 9781903446416 · June 2007

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ICT is assuming an increasingly important role in the work of the school librarian, totally changing our working lives in the last decade. It is essential then that the place of the library in a school's ICT strategy is well defined and that the librarian has the vision and knowledge to maintain a high profile in this rapidly developing area of work. This comprehensive new guideline provides detailed information and inspiration to practitioners new and experienced, covering issues such as supporting professional practice, using ICT to find information, supporting learners, ICT for reader development, Healthy & Safety issues and ICT and the law.
Visionary Spaces: Designing and Planning a Secondary School Library

by Geoff Dubber and Kathy Lemaire

ISBN 9781903446386 · June 2007

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Since the spring of 2003 and for the next dozen or so years, secondary schools will be transformed as our national vision for education for the early 21st century is translated into innovative, exciting and flexible learning spaces and practices. As part of this fundamental rethink about schools, their design and buildings, and the way education, its management and learning may be delivered now and in coming decades, the library needs to take centre stage in the school's thinking. It must be integral to the earliest stage of planning and design.
We hope that this updated Guideline will provide inspiration and information to school librarians, indeed everyone in and beyond school, who is considering or directly involved with a new build or refurbished library development programme.
Practical Paperwork: Policy Making and Development Planning for the Primary School Library

by Kay Harrison and Tricia Adams

ISBN 9781903446379 · February 2007

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The creation, implementation and regular updating of a library policy and development plan allows a school to maximise the impact of its library and learning resource provision, and is an essential task for anyone concerned to develop the library as a whole-school resource and focus for learning.

This revised and updated Guideline considers Accommodation, Learning Resources, Management and Staffing, and Library and Curriculum Support, and sets out "Ten Steps to Success". Three appendices give sample library policies from three primary schools, and there are four sample development plans.

Achieving a successful school library is a bit like gardening: "little and often, with regular input to obtain healthy growth and year-round interest". This Guideline, like the first edition, features "gardening tips", as well as "targets for best practice" and some useful recent OFSTED guidance.
Sixth Sense: The Sixth Form and the LRC

by various authors; ed. Geoff Dubber

ISBN 9781903446331 · April 2006

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The LRC, its services and staff should be an integral part of the life of all 16 to 18-year-old students. This first publication in an exciting new 'case studies' series focuses on exactly this issue. Practising librarians from around the UK and further afield show the very wide range of ways in which the LRC can impact on the lives of our 16+ students. Case studies look at work with information literacy, use of online resources, working with specific departments and establishing a successful reading group. Another librarian writes about her work with the International Baccalaureate Diploma programme, yet another looks at using the LRC for sixth form private study, and two more write about involving sixth formers in working for the LRC as opposed to working in it.
Brilliant Books: Running a Successful School Library Book Event

by Geoff Dubber and Elspeth Scott

ISBN 9781903446287 · 2nd Edition · April 2005

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Book events feature in the annual calendar of many primary and secondary schools and can be important highlights in the year for the children, the school library and the school itself. Organising and managing a successful event is always stimulating, but is also time consuming and often challenging. This valuable publication looks at a range of the key issues involved, including funding, planning and publicity, and finding authors and other guests; and it stresses the importance of feedback and reflection. There are case studies from primary and secondary schools throughout the British Isles, and four appendices including a Book Event Checklist, a Book Event Budget Sheet, and a list of useful addresses with websites.
Shelf Life, Shelf Matters: Managing Resources in the School Library

by Kathy Lemaire

ISBN 9781903446256 · 2nd Edition · October 2004

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A library is only as good as the material it contains and the access it provides for its users, so efficient stock management is essential for effective resource provision. This updated Guideline will assist school library staff with the practical aspects of running a library, including stock editing, book selection, funding and purchase, shelving and security. There are five appendices including a Data Collection Sheet for a Superficial Stock Audit, examples of simplified library catalogue cards, and a list of library and library equipment suppliers.
Fully Booked! Reader Development and the Secondary School LRC

by Eileen Armstrong

ISBN 9781903446249 · May 2004

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‘Reader development is about making connections between readers, opening up new reading horizons, taking reading off the page, out of the library and into the lives of readers. It is a new buzzword for an old idea — enthusing people about reading and opening up opportunities to talk about what they read.’ So writes author Eileen Armstrong. This super-sized Guideline provides a wealth of ideas for school librarians wishing to take books and reading out into the school. Eileen outlines the curriculum context and then cleverly relates the concept of reader development to a ‘reading restaurant’. There are a number of invaluable appendices including Library Make Over Ideas, Raising the Profile of Reading, Reading Group Activities and Trigger Questions for Book Talking, and a Reading Year. As a real bonus it also includes a foreword and a poignant original short story by Michael Morpurgo, Children’s Laureate.
Open All Hours: Out of Hours Learning and the Secondary School LRC

by Fiona Devoy

ISBN 9781903446232 · May 2004

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In recent years the field of out of hours learning activities has expanded rapidly to embrace a wide range of exciting and challenging learning experiences going far beyond traditional homework and study clubs. This Guideline aims to put the range of possibilities into perspective for the school librarian and highlight the potential role of Library Resource Centre staff in this kaleidoscope of activities. Some of the theory behind the out of hours movement is explained and there are practical pointers for school library involvement. Added value, not added burden, is the ideal, and this Guideline highlights ways for the school librarian to have access to new resources, new ways of working and greater professional and personal satisfaction.
Keep it Legal: Copyright Guidance for School Library Staff

by Graham P. Cornish

ISBN 9781903446218 · August 2003

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Copyright is not everyone’s cup of tea but it is something that we meet every day in our ordinary lives. It is the mechanism that has been invented by society to protect what authors create in many different forms. These guidelines are intended to make life easier for anyone working in a school library. Graham Cornish defines copyright, explains authors’ rights and owners’ rights, describes ‘fair dealing’, educational copying, ‘library privilege’, and licences, as well as discussing the pitfalls of Internet use. The Guideline ends with a list of publications and websites to consult.
Going Online: Developing LRC Web Pages

by Richard Murphy

ISBN 9781903446201 · May 2003

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The 21st century LRC needs to be at the forefront of curriculum innovation and ICT development if it is to act as the school’s natural information centre and place of reference. Creating and maintaining a series of interesting, eye-catching and user- friendly web pages to inform users, promote the LRC’s policies and practices, and help to raise attainment is an essential part of this drive. This Guideline does not explain the technicalities of web page design but concentrates on the benefits of creating up-to-date LRC web pages, suggests the information that can usefully be included, and outlines some principles of web page design. It includes examples of interesting and developing school LRC web pages, as well as a case study of a successful and effective LRC website.
Taking Note: Supporting Music through the Secondary School LRC

by Anthony Tilke

ISBN 9781903446188 · February 2003

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The aim of this new Guideline is to identify and develop the role of the secondary school LRC with regard to the music curriculum and the wider school musical experience. It will help library staff to evaluate the services they offer, highlighting successful library services already provided and offering ideas for further development. The Guideline looks at links with the music department and considers how to support and promote music throughout the school. A detailed section on music resources highlights reference works, textbooks, music scores, magazines, videos and websites. Appendices give suggestions for starting or developing a sound recording collection, and list recommended music series.
Balancing the Books: Managing the Secondary School LRC Budget

by Delvene Barnett and Geoff Dubber

ISBN 9781903446171 · 2nd Edition · 2002

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Efficient accounting is essential for all school LRCs. Decisions about what, when and how to spend need to be carefully planned and systematically operated. Knowing and being able to justify your figures, working to a budget cycle, discussing and preparing your bid in plenty of time, and keeping colleagues in touch with your thinking and planning are all vital elements of this work. This expanded and updated Guideline looks at LRC budgets across a broad spectrum of state and independent schools, considers the annual budget plan and gives views on budget presentation. Helpful tables and two contrasting case studies are included, and there is a brief list of further reading.
Supporting Special Educational Needs in the Secondary School LRC

by Frances Ball

ISBN 9781903446126 · 2nd Edition · 2002

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Pupils with special needs are important users of most mainstream secondary school libraries, but it is easy to overlook their requirements in the buzz of daily library activity. In this revised and updated Guideline Frances Ball examines some of the ways in which school library staff can identify and meet the curriculum and leisure needs of pupils with learning difficulties by creating a supportive library setting, giving help with accessing appropriate resources, and working closely with support staff, parents and pupil librarians. A case study describes a three-week Intensive Study project, ‘Dare to Read’, and there is a list of further reading and suggested websites. Essential reading for all who wish to gain a clear understanding of the difficulties of this important user group.
Issue Systems for the Primary School Library

by Kathy Lemaire

ISBN 9781903446096 · 2nd Edition · 2001

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Every school library that actively supports the curriculum and the school’s learning policy will have an issue system that is easy to use, provides effective access to the resources, and helps to ensure confident library use among children and staff. This revised Guideline, while retaining information about older ways of recording loans and statistics, provides more information about computerised issue systems. Two case studies of primary schools introducing such systems have been included, and there is a brief list of suppliers of stationery and equipment.
Measuring Success: How Effective is your School Library Resource Centre?

by Elspeth Scott

ISBN 9781903446058 · 2001

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Improving standards and attainment is a current government priority, and schools are constantly being asked to focus on performance measurement as a key objective. Measuring the success of the primary or secondary school library is a real opportunity to judge success and devise practical strategies to bring about further improvements. This Guideline shows ways to gather evidence and to measure quality as well as quantity, and provides a case study of how the author went about measuring the success of her own library resource centre.
Setting the Scene: Local Studies Resources in the School Library

by Dianne Southcombe

ISBN 9780900641923 · 1999

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A well-resourced school library plays a key part in assisting learning across the school and is essential to support the wealth of opportunities for studying the locality. An accessible, attractively presented collection of local materials that includes a range of formats will enhance effective learning and raise the status of the library within the school and beyond. This Guideline suggests what to include in a school collection and how to manage the different resources, as well as indicating sources of support outside the school. Appendices describe copyright made simple and an artefact purchase policy. The Select Reading List is in three sections: primary, secondary and teacher resources; and there is a lengthy list of Useful Contacts.
Organising Voluntary Help in the School Library

by Geoff Dubber

ISBN 9780900641763 · 1996

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Running an effective school library is a time-consuming and often exhausting task. Few schools can pay more than one person to work in the library on a full-time or part- time basis, so in order to provide sufficient time and staffing it is often educationally and professionally beneficial to make use of adult and pupil helpers. This Guideline provides ideas on selecting and training pupil librarians, organising induction, and working with adult helpers — essential reading for all who wish to get the best from willing volunteers and create an effective library team.