School Library Service
School Library Service - steps to learning
The Mayo School Library Service offers a wealth of information and resources to all primary schools in County Mayo. Currently Mayo Library serves 181 national schools reaching a school population of 13,624 children. The School Service is based at Library Headquarters and delivers the following services:
- Book Exchange Service
The School Mobile visits every national school in County Mayo at least twice each academic year. This book-exchange service provides teachers with access to large format “Big Book” collection; audio books; CD’s; Large Print titles; storybooks on tape as well as award-winning popular children’s fiction and non-fiction titles. - Request Service
Teachers may request particular titles, authors or topics. Requested items will be delivered by the School Mobile on the next book exchange visit or if urgent can be posted or delivered to the nearest Mayo library. - Dual-Language Collection
A special dual-language collection is available to help meet the needs of the large numbers of foreign national students attending Mayo Schools.These books contain both English and a second language text for example: English/Gujarati; English/Somali; English/Polish; English/Urdu etc. Multi-cultural Resources
- Teacher Resource Collection (TRC)
This collection is intended to provide information and assistance to both classroom and special needs teachers. Topics include Autism; Dyslexia; Bullying; Gifted Children; Self-Esteem; ADHD etc. The collection prioritises authors and titles providing strategies for implementation in the classroom and home. A catalogue of the Teacher Resource Collection is now available for downloading. (opens new window)
- Specialized Reading Service on referral
In partnership with the HSE Speech and Language Department (Castlebar) selected children diagnosed with particular language and reading difficulties are referred to the School Library Service for an intensive reading programme using specific and targeted language and reading resources.
- Touch, Hear and See Collection
A special “Touch, Hear and See” collection for children with one or multiple disabilities is available for use by classroom and SEN teachers.
- Specialist Service for Learning Support & Resource teachers
A specialist stock of material is available in the School Library Department. Resources include Hi/Lo reading material (high interest/low reading ability) and series such as Wolf Hill; Story World; Sparklers; Gigglers; Barrington Stokes and many more.
- Advisory Service
Guidance and support in all areas of children’s literature, reading and literacy development is provided. Advice and expertise is also available on all matters concerned with the setting up and organization of school libraries. The School Service provides help with special book activities and events and supplies book lists on many different areas of children's reading. Book Talks
Talks to parents and teachers concerning the many aspects of the importance of books and reading.Mayo Children’s Book Reviews On-Line
Mayo school children can write their own book reviews/recommendations on-line and have their comments read by children anywhere in the world. By drawing together technology and books this service is intended to act as an aid to teachers in helping to promote and encourage more reading and writing in the classroom.
For more information contact:
School Library Service, Library Headquarters, John Moore Rd., Castlebar, Co. Mayo.
Tel: +353 (0)94 9047933
Email: eotoole@mayococo.ie