The school library service provides essential, high quality loan materials and support for schools that subscribe.
Project loan materials are tailored to teachers' needs and complement the school's library provision, increasing access to a wide range of books to encourage reading for pleasure and independent learning.
Advice is available from professional librarians on all aspects of the library, including library stock, classification and layout. Annual events are also provided to develop children's book knowledge and love of reading.
Services for primary schools
Project loans
Boxes of fiction and non-fiction books are provided for every teacher in the school on a termly basis. All boxes are tailor-made to satisfy each individual request.
DVD service
Curriculum related DVDs are available for loan. The stock is regularly updated and includes titles such as 'Horrible Histories' and the BBC's 'Do try this at home!'
Visits to schools
An annual 'library health check' is offered to all subscribing schools to help maintain the relevance and appearance of library stock. Advice on stock gaps can be given. The School Library Service can also help to create and maintain classroom book corners.
Book ordering
Knowledgeable staff can create orders according to schools' particular needs and budget. All books come with a competitive discount and will be labelled to individual schools' specifications, so they are ready to go on the library shelves.
Advice and support
Practical and impartial advice can be given on school library stock and layout. Expert staff can help in both setting up a library from scratch or revitalizing your existing library.
Workshops
Training can be provided for pupil librarians and reading ambassadors.
Services for secondary schools
Termly meetings
We organise termly meetings for all subscribing secondary school librarians to share good practice and plan internal and external events.
Expert advice and practical support
Knowledgeable staff can help secondary librarians with stock taking, weeding and displays. Advice can be given on library layout. Staff are happy to visit reading groups, Carnegie shadowing groups and those taking part in our Teen Read. Specific project loans are available on request.
Events for primary schools
Hounslow Junior Book Award
The School Library Service has been successfully running this annual award for more than 15 years. It is a chance for schools to introduce Year 5 and 6 pupils to some of the best new children's fiction published that year and to vote for a winner at the end of the process. The final award ceremony is held in the summer with previous guest speakers including Lisa Thompson, Onjali Q Rauf and Kirsty Applebaum.
“I just wanted to say a massive thank you for today. You have been brilliant in supporting the enthusiasm of reading here at ... Primary, and my new book club have gone away feeling very excited.” - Teacher from local Hounslow primary school
World Book Day
Every year we celebrate World Book Day with a special guest author and invite all subscribing schools to attend. World Book Day is a global event which encourages children of all ages to celebrate authors, illustrators, books, libraries and most importantly reading. We invite a well-known author to speak to children about their work and how important books and reading are. Recent guests have included Guy Bass and Ross Montgomery.
“These events are a great way to promote reading for pleasure and for the children to talk about the author to their peers.” - Teacher attending the 2023 event
Illustration Celebration
A Key Stage One event celebrating picture books and the art of illustration. We invite a picture book illustrator to do a drawing workshop with the children. Guests have included Rob Biddulph, Steve Antony and Gary Parsons.
“That was the best trip ever. I can’t believe I met a real illustrator.” - Year 1 child
“I really enjoyed that event. It was so great to see the children so engaged and enthusiastic. They were so proud of their drawings.” - Parent helper
Poetry Event
A new event celebrating National Poetry Day for Key Stage Two pupils. A guest published poet is invited to the event to perform their poems and share their love of poetry.
Competitions
Termly literacy-based competitions are held throughout the year to promote children’s love of reading and writing.
Events for secondary schools
Hounslow Teen Read
The aim of this long-established book award is to introduce pupils across Key Stage Three to new and interesting fiction and create a buzz around reading for pleasure. The event culminates in an award ceremony where a special guest author is invited to speak and announce the winner as voted for by Hounslow students. Guests have included Will Hill, Tracy Darnton and Tom Pollock.
Speed Read
The event is an opportunity for pupils to read and 'sell' their favourite book in a fun speed-dating style.
“Such a lovely morning. Our students thought it was one of the best trips ever! They want to go next year.” - Hounslow secondary librarian
Poetry Slam
The Poetry Slam is a hugely popular event with the Hounslow schools. A slam poet runs an all-day event for Key Stage Three during which time pupils work in their school groups to write and perform a poem in order to win the Poetry Slam cup.
Subscriptions
The service is available to all Hounslow schools by annual subscription. We also welcome subscriptions from schools outside the borough of Hounslow.
For more information, please telephone 020 8583 5569, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
