FAQs: Library Management Plans

Need some help? Read through our frequently asked questions. If your question isn't answered here, send us an email to get in touch.

How long is a plan for?

The minimum contract length is 1 year. Plans are usually designed to span across an academic year, although plans can start at the beginning of a calendar year or financial year if preferred.

What is the advantage of a Library Management Plan?

One annual fee covers every aspect of the management of your Library. Through a management plan, a professional Librarian will oversee your Library and co=ordinate the purchasing, cataloguing and maintenance of new books. Additionally, the promotion of reading for pleasure is given a higher status within your School, as it becomes intrinsically linked to the Library.

We working closely with Reading Leads in Schools, so that we can support the work which they do, whilst removing the administrative burden involved in managing the Library so they can focus fully on their role.

What is the SLA?

The SLA is your Service Level Agreement. The purpose of the SLA is to outline the requirements of your Library service and how this will be delivered by SchoolShelf. Your SLA can be used to identify any additional requirements you may have as part of the management of your Library.

What is included in the annual package fee?

The package fee is the total amount that you will pay. This includes all provision in your SLA, including:

All staffing costs
Library Management System
Purchase of new books (an agreed amount in the year)
Reading events, challenges and lessons (dependent upon your SLA agreement)

Do we have to pay the annual fee upfront?

No - SchoolShelf will send termly invoices for the library management services to your Finance Office/School Business Manager no later than the 15th of the month after each full term. The School will be required to pay for the library management services within 30 days of the invoice being raised.

How are new books selected?

Our Head of Library Services - an experienced Chartered Librarian - oversees stock purchasing for all schools, and works alongside SchoolShelf Librarians in each school to identify stock requirements. Stock will be purchased to take into account:

The recommended 50/50 split between fiction and non-fiction
The recommended range of stock types, including books, graphic novels, poetry and information books.
Achieving diversity and inclusion so children feel represented in the books they read.

All books which are purchased as part of the annual package automatically become the permanent property of your School's Library.

What will a Librarian do?

A Librarian will provide specialised management of your Library space. This will guarantee that your Library is an inviting space which is appealing for both students and staff to use. As part of this, a Librarian would:

Ensure the Library is appealing, including designing and maintaining relevant signage and eye-catching displays.
Overseeing the processes of cataloguing and classifying stock.
Co=ordinating the issuing, renewing, reserving and returning of stock.
Training and supervising a team of Pupil Librarians.
Work alongside teaching staff to support Library lessons and reading sessions.

Will we have one Librarian or a different Librarian each week?

The Head of Library Services oversees the delivery and quality assurance of the service. A member of SchoolShelf will be allocated to your school as your Librarian and work with your school on a weekly basis, to ensure consistency and enable the Librarian to help build the profile of the Library and reading for pleasure within your School.

Can a Librarian support reading intervention sessions?

Yes - as part of your SLA, a requirement to support or co-ordinate reading intervention sessions can be costed and included.

Can SchoolShelf staff open and supervise the Library at breaktimes and lunchtimes with a management contract?

Yes, dependent upon the plan you opt for:

Starter: no provision for staffed lunchtime opening.

Standard: provision for 1 x staffed lunchtime opening can be included as part of the SLA.

Premium: provision for 3 x staffed lunchtimes is included automatically as part of the SLA.

Premium+ : provision for 5 x staffed lunchtimes is included automatically as part of the SLA.