Setting up your own Children's library
Some local authorities have a Schools Library Service who can offer support. You can find out more on our school library services in the West Midlands page.
Visit our Children's Library to see the wide collection of resources and formats on offer to children. Consider the following:
- what do you want your children to have access to?
- is there a collection you want to specialise in?
- do you want to focus on a particular format, eg audio or large print
Useful websites
Birmingham City Council does not endorse a particular service and cannot be responsible for the content of the external websites listed below.
The School Library Association (SLA)
The SLA provides help and support for staff running libraries in schools. To get the full support you do need to become a member.
http://www.sla.org.uk/
Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP)
A wide range of support and resources, including the Buyers’ Guide Online, which provides links to Library Management Systems
http://www.cilip.org.uk/
http://www.buyersguideonline.co.uk/
The Reading Agency
The Reading Agency is a charity focussing on helping people become confident and enthusiastic readers
http://readingagency.org.uk/
The Literacy Trust
The Literacy Trust seeks to engage children in reading, writing and communication activities and has very good information on curriculum needs
http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/
Booktrust
Booktrust is an organisation focussing on engaging children and their families in reading for pleasure. It incorporates Bookstart, which includes Bookstart Corner, a programme which supports Children’s Centres across England to help their most disadvantaged families develop a love of stories, books and rhymes.
http://www.booktrust.org.uk/programmes/
Primary School Guidelines
A highly useful and comprehensive guide from CILIP covering policy, planning, stock, space, organisation, using the library, with contributions from SLSs and other practitioners.
http://primaryschoollibraryguidelines.org.uk/
Peters Books and Furniture
Peters Books and Furniture is a well-established Birmingham company which offers so much more than its name suggests, including Publishers’ Guides, magazines, reader development, resources and more.
http://petersbooks.co.uk/