Education Library Service, Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the role of the Education Library Service?
The ELS supports teaching and learning in schools by making quality resources , expertise and advice readily available to schools, teachers and library staff. Our stock collection is developed to reflect changing curriculum needs and to support the development of effective school libraries as centres of information and independent learning. The service also strives to improve links between schools and public libraries.

2. Who qualifies for the service?
Our customers include:

Full-time and part-time permanent teachers
Supply teachers whilst employed in an NEELB school
Student teachers while on teaching practice in an NEELB school
School library staff
NEELB-employed home tutors, advisers, CASS staff etc.

College of Education students not currently on teaching practice, or other part-time or temporary teachers may borrow certain categories of material.

Please contact the ELS for details.

3. Where is the service based?

Library Headquarters
Demesne Avenue
Ballymena
Co Antrim BT43 7BG

4. What are the opening hours?

Monday – Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm

5. How can I contact the service?

Telephone

General enquiries - 028 2566 4116

TC/requests - 028 2566 4132

Projects/ AV/mobile visits - 028 2566 4118

Professional advice

Early Years/Primary - 028 2566 4116

Post Primary - 028 2566 4126

Fax: 028 2563 0200

E-mail: educationlibraryservice@librariesni.org.uk

6. Exactly what services does the ELS provide?
A range of services and advice to all categories of schools and the Board’s Educational Guidance Centres. Full details in our Information Packs or by contacting the Education Library Service. Resources are available in a variety of formats including fiction and non-fiction, big books, large print, videos, multimedia packs, audio books, CDs, DVDs, poster packs etc. Professional advice is available on setting up a new library, stock selection, formulation of a school library policy / development plan, reader development, use of Story sacks etc. Training courses and literacy based workshops are also available.

7. How can schools borrow resources?
Teachers are welcome to come into the ELS Department to select resources. Alternatively, they can phone, fax or e-mail their requests.

8. Is there an online catalogue?
No; at present ELS material is masked on the online librariesni.org catalogue to protect holdings in schools being requested by the public. We are looking at ways of making the ELS catalogue available to teachers and school-based library staff.

9. What information does the ELS need when I make a request or require a topic pack?
As much information as possible- notably; name of school, name of teacher, curriculum level, reading age of pupils (if different from interest level), details of topic and date required.; also state if you wish audiovisual material to be included.

For a specific title request, as full details as you can muster – author, title, publisher, ISBN, date of publication.

10. How much material can be borrowed?

Classroom collections from primary mobile – generally 55 volumes (2, 3 or 4 teacher schools have minimum total amounts allocated).
Nursery schools – up to 100 volumes during a mobile visit.
Topic packs – up to 30 items per teacher at any one time. (These
numbers may not always be available for high demand topics)
Teachers Collection – no limits, within reason.
Audiovisual material – no limits, within reason.
Post primary loan exchanges – number varies according to available resources

11. How are the resources delivered/collected?
We deliver directly to your school. Our delivery van visits each area roughly once a fortnight. Teachers are, of course, welcome to call and collect material themselves if this is more convenient.

12. How long can I keep them?
Topic packs are issued for a minimum of two months (usually a term). Collection dates are included with each pack and reflect delivery van runs to your area. Teachers Collection and Audio Visual material are now issued for the same length of time unless requested by others. Please adhere to collection dates or renew the items concerned by phoning 028 2566 4118.

13. What are your service targets for processing and delivering requests?
Topic loans will be delivered to your school within three weeks. If this is not possible, we will contact the school to make alternative delivery arrangements.

Specific title requests will be actioned within five working days – if in stock they will be delivered within 3 weeks. (If they have to be ordered, supply will be subject to availability, budgetary limits and/or supplier performance)

14. Are audiovisual resources available?
Yes; our audiovisual collection contains over 8000 items available for loan.

15. What is the procedure for renewing items?
We require prompt return of resources for use by other customers. However, renewals will usually be granted on application unless an item has been requested by someone else, or if the item is on a high demand topic.

To renew, please contact us before the collection date for the material.
Telephone: 028 2566 4118.

16. What is the procedure for overdue items?
Material is usually issued complete with collection date either written on a card or list inserted with the project or on the date label of the book as in the case of Teachers Collection material. If items are not returned, an overdue letter will be sent out with a new collection date, followed by a second and final overdue if the material is still not returned. To ensure an efficient service, please try and return items promptly after use.

17. Will I be charged for overdue or lost material?
At present we only charge for lost or damaged Teachers Collection or Audiovisual material. This material is expensive to buy so a full replacement charge is levied. However, if the item is subsequently found, a full refund is given.

18. How many times will the mobile visit my school each year?
We offer two mobile visits per year to primary, nursery and special schools. This is determined by the time available in the school year and the mobile schedules of the vehicles involved.

19. Can I bring pupils onto the mobile library?
Yes certainly, but please bear in mind the mobile’s limited space! In line with our Child Protection policy, a maximum of 8 pupils on the mobile at any one time is recommended. Pupil safety and behaviour remain the responsibility of the teachers concerned and pupils should always be accompanied by a teacher/member of staff.

20. Can I spend extra funds through the ELS and what are the benefits?
Yes – we operate a service level agreement to enable this procedure to run more smoothly. Schools transfer funds to the ELS and are then free to choose books to that value from our stock. The ELS will try to add extra stock e.g. 25p in the £, if resources allow. For full details contact our Dept.

The benefits to your school will be:

stock arrives at the school already serviced i.e. shelf ready for the library.
books chosen are immediately available.
the stock can be exchanged for other library books in the future if required.
you get extra value for money

21. Can I receive any training from the ELS?
Yes, the professional staff will be happy to visit your school with advice on library matters and one to one support. There is also more structured Inset and training carried out from time to time e.g. reader development training. Notification will be sent out to relevant staff groups when these sessions are taking place. At present support and training for the ALICE computerised system is carried out by the CLASS Centre.

CLASS Centre
86 Belfast Road
Ballyclare
BT37 9LS
028 9332 4168

22. Why is the library stock count so important and when should I do it?
Books and library materials are expensive resources and the Department of Education requires us to collect these figures from schools each year. They normally only query excessive losses and schools would be expected to take some action to rectify any major problems. A form will be sent out to you in June each year and the returns from Primary schools should be handed in during the next mobile visit in the Autumn term. Post Primaries should post their returns to us by the end of September.

23. Who owns the books?
All books supplied via the ELS remain the property of the ELS. Please do not stamp or mark them permanently in any other way.

24. Do you provide barcodes/stationery for other books I might have?
At present we supply barcodes to schools free of charge. We no longer supply issue tickets since we adopted a computerised library system.

25. How does the budget visit work? (Post Primaries)
Post Primary schools receive a library budget allocation based on enrolment figures for that school year. During the autumn term, library staff will be invited to Library HQ to choose brand new stock up to the value of that allocation.

26. How does the loan exchange visit work? (Post Primaries)
Staff will be invited to HQ again in the spring/summer term. This time the school can exchange items from their existing library stock. Numbers vary according to available resources but it is usually up to 300 at a time. The library staff should choose the books for return in advance and bring them with them on the day. It is an opportunity to ensure your library does not get out of date and to encourage turnover of stock.

27. Do we have to exchange like for like? (Post Primaries)
It is not always essential to exchange like for like (ie.100 fiction for 100 fiction etc) but there would probably be a greater emphasis on fiction during the loan exchange visit. We would prefer a straight exchange to take place on the day but it is possible for our delivery van to pick up returns by arrangement at a later date.

And finally … but not so frequently asked !
28. How can schools help the EYS provide a more efficient service?
Our main problems revolve around schools either not returning materials on time or not returning all the materials together. If possible, please check that all books are returned with project packs and that all the contents of individual audiovisual items are present on return. We estimate that some 75% of material is returned incomplete. You are welcome to use the renewal procedure if you wish to keep something for a longer period. Returning material promptly ensures it is kept in circulation and available to others. Thanks for your help.