Schools' Library Service

Wirral Schools' Library Service (SLS) is a local authority service for maintained primary and special schools in Wirral. In addition, as part of Wirral Traded Services for Schools, Wirral SLS offers the opportunity for local primary academies and independent primary schools to buy into the service. Enquiries are also welcome from schools in the wider area (Merseyside and North Wales border) where local authorities do not provide a local Schools' Library Service.

There is also a Year 7 Transition Service offer available for secondary school to buy into. Please contact SLS for further details.

Wirral schools are also able to access request forms, further information and updates from the Schools’ Library Service via WESCOM.

Opening hours

It is advisable to ring before visiting as opening hours may vary slightly depending on staff availability.

Term time

Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm
Friday to Sunday Closed

School holidays

Monday to Thursday 9am to 1pm
Friday to Sunday Closed

Services

Schools’ Library Service can provide help and advice with:

  • planning your school library
  • new books and authors
  • talks and display collections
  • buying books
  • library management and resource provision
  • computerised library management systems

Resources

Each class or year group can have the following each term:

  • a project loan per year group - books plus additional AV resources. Project boxes are put together for individual requests; each collection will include 20-40 items depending on availability of resources and number of children in the year group
  • a fiction loan of one of the following (per class teacher)
    •      A class set of 30 books (single title)
    •      A class set of 30 books for guided reading (5 titles in sets of six)
    •      An author/illustrator collection (12-15 items)          
  • an Artefact collection or Story Box (per year group)
  • a mini poetry collection 
  • a ‘Reading for Pleasure’ collection of popular fiction and one or two non-fiction titles for use in classroom reading corners. 
    20-40 items depending on number of children in the year group.
    This is sent out annually in September for return at the end of the YEAR, but teachers can visit the SLS library to exchange the books at any time through the year.
  • door-to-door delivery and collection services every term 
  • access to the Schools’ Library Service library throughout the year, including school holidays, with advice and support from qualified librarians on hand

Forms to request resources can be downloaded below.

Downloadable order forms

Preferred deadline for submitting forms is the half term before term resources are required, for example, October half term for resources needed in January. It is helpful if all staff fill in requests for resources on the same form and a single form for the whole school is submitted each term. Thank you.

Facilities

  • meeting and work space available for teaching staff (by arrangement)
  • free wifi
  • car park
  • toilets

Accessibility for people with disabilities

  • parking
  • accessible toilet
  • SLS Library is on the ground floor with no steps

Contact

Wirral Schools' Library Service
CLC Discovery Centre
Ridgeway High School
Noctorum Avenue
Prenton
CH43 9EB