Library Services for children and schools in Doncaster are the responsibility of the Libraries Community Services.
This department provides and maintains children's material that is supplied through the Central Children's Library at the Central Library, Waterdale, the 24 branch library sites and the Mobile and Travelling Libraries. It co-ordinates activities for children, such as storytelling and craft sessions, that are held at libraries throughout the year, mainly during the school holidays, and runs the annual Summer Reading Game.
Help is given when storytimes take place for pre-school children or when school classes visit the library, either to borrow books or learn about library use. A wide range of leaflets and other information about children's libraries and reading is compiled, for use in libraries.
Any child from 0 to 16 may join the Library. An application form will need to be countersigned by a parent or guardian and proof of identity will be required.
Books can be borrowed for three weeks, but items can be renewed beyond this period if not required by other readers.
No fines are charged on loans by young people, however postage will be charged if reminders for overdue material have to be sent.
Items may be requested and no charge will be levied.
Young People can, at the discretion of both their parents or Library staff, borrow material from the Adult section.
Doncaster Schools Library Service offers a comprehensive loan and advisory service to all LEA schools in the area.
Loan Services
Subscribing schools are entitled to the following free core loan services:
Loan Collection - number of items linked to pupil numbers, normally 3 per pupil. This collection is lent for one year and is delivered and collected by the Schools Mobile Library.
Project Loans- number allowed per year linked to size of school. Project loans consist of 25 items, which are lent for one term.
Miniset Loans - two free loans allowed per year. Miniset loans are six copies of the same title, mainly fiction for use in guided reading and may have an audio cassette, lent for one term.
Book and Library Promotion Visit - all schools are entitled to one visit per year from SLS staff, this could be to storytell, twilight meeting with staff, or attend a School Book Week.
Schools who require extra or other resources can obtain them from the Schools Library Service at reasonable rates.
What we stock for loan
Non-fiction - extensive and wide ranging collection of books in all subject areas, concentrating on Key Stages 1, 2 & 3. There are small Video and Poster collections. A sample CD-ROM collection is held and teachers may borrow these on a short term basis to evaluate their usefulness.
Fiction - extensive and wide ranging collection of books for Key Stages 1,2 & 3. Material is kept in four main categories, Picture Books, Early Readers, Junior Fiction and Teenage. A Miniset collection is available. A sample Big Book collection is held and teachers may borrow these on a short term basis to evaluate their usefulness. There are collections of books covering such subjects as multi-cultural topics, dual language books, special needs etc.
Advisory Services
Each subscribing school is entitled to a free initial advisory visit to discuss such things as weeding of stock, classification of material, provision of gaps in stock list, Pre or Post OFSTED work, accompanied visits to Library Suppliers, INSET courses etc.
Any subsequent work agreed would be subject to a mutually agreeable charge. A written report of what work has been done or needs to be done is always provided.
Location
The Schools Library Service is located at:
Top Road
Barnby Dun
Doncaster DN3 1DB
Tel/Fax 01302 881787
E-Mail: schools.libraryservice@doncaster.gov.uk
Teachers, Student teachers, and others employed within schools are entitled to use the Schools Library Service and requests for material can be made by phone, in writing or by visiting the Schools Library Service.
Opening Hours are:
