Information for teachers and students at local schools
The Library and its staff support students in their studies. They provide access to a world of information – whether in online, multimedia or printed form – and skills to make effective use of them. These transferable skills provide a firm foundation for students’ future academic or professional development. More about the Library...
University of Reading Library is pleased to offer the following services to local teachers and advisors.
School visits
We welcome school visits, usually in the University vacation period. Please apply several weeks in advance, to allow time for necessary arrangements to be made.
Visits to the Library are often coordinated with a wider University visit to a specific University school or department. In these instances, the first point of contact is the departmental contact for schools liaison – obtain their details from Student Recruitment and Schools Liason (email schools.liaison@reading.ac.uk), or by contacting Amy Wigham, Education Liaison Officer, by telephone on (0118) 378 5439 or email a.wigham@reading.ac.uk.
Arrange other visits through the Widening Participation Office. This body aims to encourage and support diversity in the student body and runs a wide range of activities over the year. For more information, contact them by telephone on (0118) 378 6145.
If you are organising a visit with the sole purpose of using the Library, please contact Elizabeth Simpson, the Library’s Schools Liaison Representative to discuss your needs, or the relevant subject liaison librarian.
Pupils can use the Library for reference
Your Year 12 and 13 pupils may use University Library resources for reference, as our resources – encyclopaedias, books and journals – are often beyond those available in school or public libraries. Find out about resources and systems from the appropriate subject liaison librarian,
You can check for useful resources using the Library catalogue Unicorn and the rest of our website.
The Library supports each University department by providing online links to resources, gateways and tutorials useful at that level. You can use these as a starting point for researching information on Education or individual secondary level subjects (using the equivalent subject guides, eg Chemistry). Please note that whilst many resources are free for you to access, some resources, including almost all online material, are only available to members of the University of Reading.
Please forewarn us when you have recommended that your pupils visit the Library, so we can inform staff of a possible rise in enquiries.
What can you expect from a visit?
For both types of school visit, we may (subject to staff time and if agreed in advance):
- arrange Library induction sessions to suit your requirements
- assist students to locate useful information on their chosen topic
- run a range of tasks for students that enhance their knowledge of finding, evaluating and utilising information
- carry out other tasks on request, depending on the feasibility and availability of resources
Please provide information about the topics students will be studying, so that we can ensure we have suitable material available for use. If we find we cannot accommodate a topic, we will inform you and may suggest alternative approaches.
We will also ask if any students have identified themselves as ’disabled‘, so that we can ensure that we can make any necessary arrangements for them to enjoy their visit and gain as much from it as their colleagues.
What we expect
As a teacher, you must accompany your students throughout a visit and remain responsible for your pupils, and their actions. Where University of Reading lecturers are involved in a visit, we also ask them to be present and to assist students.
We admit school pupils on the understanding that our Code of Conduct will be followed. In particular, your attention is drawn to the following:
- No eating or drinking in the Library, other than bottled water
- There is a café at the entrance to the Library where Library users can obtain refreshments, although school visits cannot be accommodated for lunch in this facility
- Mobile phones must be in silent mode or turned off
- Everyone should work quietly, so that they do not disturb other users
Work experience
School pupils may benefit from work experience at the Library.
Please contact Julia Munro, University Librarian in the first instance.
Library membership for local teachers
If you are a local teacher you can apply to borrow from the University Library for an annual fee - for more information see Members of the public: using the Library.
Teachers at schools where our teacher training students are on placement gain half-price membership. (School pupils are not eligible.) For further information, see Teachers at mentor schools.
Contact Nick Hollis, Circulation Services Manager for more information.
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