Library Education Visits
We provide sessions to introduce pupils to libraries. Sessions can cover how to find books and information. They can also include a storytime. We can run a session on a theme, or using works from a particular author e.g. Roald Dahl. We are happy to discuss your needs.
We also welcome regular ad-hoc visits from classes in our libraries. Classes can choose books, and when coming with a class children may be able to borrow on a ‘class ticket’.
Rutland libraries offer an increasing range of dyslexia-friendly stock. Dual language titles are also available (see our Special Collections page).
Class tickets for teachers
We can join teachers under a ‘class card’ separate to having a personal library card. All we need is a letter from your school (or something official) confirming you are a teacher there.
A class library card gives extra borrowing entitlement. Classes can borrow 36 items for up to 3 months and renew them once. Rutland does not charge overdue charges and requests (holds) are free.
Themed loan boxes
Rutland Library Service has a very small collection of themed loan boxes (one box on each topic), on history and local studies themes. These are issued on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, and are:
- Geography through story KS1
- Geography through story KS2
- Our Local Area KS1
- Your Local History KS2
- Ancient Egyptians
- Romans
- Tudors
- WWII
Study guides for GCSE, A-Levels and more
We work to keep a current and broad range of revision guides and exam support materials. We aim to cover GCSE, A-Levels, BTEC, and more. If your school changes exam boards, or you think we ought to be stocking a topic or exam board we don’t currently have, please let us know.
Summer Reading Challenge – Schools information
Rutland Library Services run the Summer Reading Challenge every year. Rutland Libraries run themed activities throughout the summer alongside the Challenge. Events can include author visits. We send information out to Rutland schools at the end of June and in early July.
Children’s reading can ‘dip’ during the long summer holidays if they don’t have regular access to books and encouragement to read for pleasure. This can be a problem for schools to put right in the new term. The Reading Agency’s annual Summer Reading Challenge helps by getting over 700,000 children into libraries over the summer.
There is no other free reading activity that:
- involves so many children,
- introduces families to their library,
- encourages children to choose books freely and independently
- and is endorsed by parents, teachers and the Department for Education.
Schools are sent publicity materials in early July. Rutland Library Service makes frequent posts on Facebook & Twitter. Schools can repost/retweet using the hastag #SummerReadingChallenge
Typical Timetable:
- End of June to end of term in July – We contact schools with details about the challenge and publicity materials. We encourage children to join the Summer Reading Challenge. We ask teachers to endorse the Challenge with parents.
- Usually the 2nd Saturday in July – Summer Reading Challenge begins
- Usually the 2nd Saturday in September – Summer Reading Challenge ends
- Children may start bringing their certificates and medals for teachers to see. Schools are welcome to re-present certificates in assembly.
Artsmark with Rutland Libraries
Rutland Libraries are pleased to be one of the Arts Council’s Artsmark Partner organisations.
We are Artsmark Partners
Our libraries have been proud to support schools and education settings on their Artsmark journey. We can offer partnership working to education settings who are working towards, or currently hold an Artsmark Award, through arts and cultural opportunities. Please discuss with us your needs.
What is Artsmark?
Artsmark is the creative quality standard for schools, accredited by Arts Council England. The standard recognises a schools commitment to high quality cultural and arts education.
For more information on Artsmark and the Arts Award process you can find information on the website of our regional bridge organisation, The Mighty Creatives.
What do we offer?
We offer a small range of opportunities to engage with arts and cultural activities. We have supported education settings working towards, or currently hold an Artsmark Award.
For KS1 and KS2
We have offered opportunities for classes to experience author visits. Previous workshops at Oakham Library by authors, illustrators and performance poets including:
- Ellie Sandall,
- Pippa Goodhart,
- Gez Walsh,
- Rob Scotton
- and Chris White
Workshops are typically aimed at KS2 and can be between 1 and 1.5 hours in length.
Previous Projects
With The Spark Arts for Children and other East Midlands library services, we were part of the ‘Among Ideal Friends’. This was a theatre in libraries project. We offered schools the opportunity to experience quality educational theatre in our libraries. Shows usually included an opportunity to talk to the actors with a question and answer session.
Teacher packs including class-based learning and follow-on activities were part of the project.
Shows were subsidised by Arts Council England.
Some productions came with a teachers experiential learning and CPD session. These sessions were usually around creative writing or drama.
