Schools library service

Tower Hamlets schools library service aims to

To provide schools with a wide range of high quality learning resources that reflect our multicultural and diverse community in a balanced and accurate way, as an efficient, cost-effective way for schools to resource the National Curriculum, primary frameworks and secondary strategies and to promote the enjoyment of reading.
To provide professional advice and training on the management and organisation of learning resources in schools.
To provide the services of a professional librarian to manage the school library on a regular basis.
To enrich the curriculum through global learning and pupil participation, helping young people make the connection between the local and the global.

Schools and organisations in Tower Hamlets and neighbouring boroughs can subscribe to the Schools Library Service. Visit our website for a full, up-to-date list of services and resources for loan.

We can also provide the services of a professional librarian to work in school on a regular basis. Depending on the amount of time purchased per year, a professional librarian will:

develop information skills teaching in the school
promote enjoyment of, and excitement about reading
raise awareness in school of national reading activities and promotions
manage, maintain and promote the school library and teacher resources
identify and buy quality resources for the school library and classroom libraries
select resources from the schools library services

Resources

a library of books
dual language resources
historical, world and religious artefacts and costumes
picture packs
book and play sets
big books
multi-sensory books
book/CD packs
DVDs, CDs, CD-ROMs, videos
posters
musical instruments
story puppets, story sacks and story tents
science artefacts and boxes
skeletons and body parts
parachutes
a professional development library of teacher resources, professional books and journals
a regularly updated website with new book announcements, themed booklists and facility to search the library catalogue and check your own ticket, as well as information on current events, news and training

Resources are delivered to school within a week and collected at the end of term.

Opening hours during term time

Monday, 10am to 6pm
Tuesday, 8.30am to 7pm
Wednesday, 8.30am to 6pm
Thursday, 8:30am to 7pm
Friday, 8.30am to 4pm

Humanities education centre

The centre provides training that promotes the values, aims and principles of development education and global citizenship to schools, nurseries and playgroups in Tower Hamlets, Hackney and Newham.

Training sessions include:

global citizenship
children’s rights and school councils
ICT including digital video, animation and web page development
open spaces for dialogue and enquiry (OSDE)
philosophy for children
bringing the global dimension to speaking, listening, writing, literacy, numeracy and science

How to contact us

Gillian Harris
Head of Tower Hamlets schools library services
Professional development centre
English Street
London
E3 4TA

Tel: 020 7364 6428
Fax: 020 7364 6422