Education and learning - What children learn - Learning at home/outside school:

Libraries and reading

Libraries

Libraries are a key resource for pupils. They support the National Curriculum by providing extra books and ICT equipment. They enable pupils to develop research and information retrieval skills.

The UK Public Library Network provides resources and information to support lifelong learning at home, work, school, college and university. It also has links to online libraries and an email enquiry service.

The British Library website [External Site] with its online details of collections, exhibitions, a digital library and powerful search facilities is a wealth of resource to help students. There are further links to Oxford University's Bodleian Library [External Site], the National Library of Scotland [External Site] and the National Library of Wales [External Site].

Reading Lists

Reading is crucial to us all. It is a fundamental building block for learning. If you cannot read, there are many other things you can't do, from filling in forms to reading road signs. Books teach us about the world around us, providing a wider perspective and greater understanding of ourselves and others.

All the evidence shows that children are much more likely to read if they grow up surrounded by books and are in the company of other children and adults who they see reading. Parents should never underestimate the positive influence they have in helping to create the next generation of readers.

Further information about reading and literacy is available on the National Literacy Trust [External Site]. You can also find a list of libraries near you.

Visit the sites below where you will find information about books that children find both challenging and interesting, arranged to suit their reading abilities.

The Book Trust [External Site]
Book Trust is an independent, educational charity founded to promote books and reading, and to encourage readers of all ages and cultures to discover and enjoy books.

The Federation of Children's Book Groups [External Site]
The FCBG is a national, voluntary organisation concerned with children and their books. They aim to promote enjoyment and interest in children's books and reading, and to encourage the availability of a range of literature for all ages, from pre-school to teenage.