What are they and what do they involve?
Libraries are collections of information that are available for public use – the bigger a library is, the more subjects they cover in their resources. Libraries can come in both physical and virtual forms and can have items such as books, films, CDs, newspapers, DVDs (both sound and vision) and maps available for public viewing.
What are the benefits?
Introducing students to libraries and their great resources is an excellent way of encouraging learning and motivating students to carry out their own independent studies of topics that interest them.
What students is it suitable for?
All students should be able to enjoy libraries, as there are books and resources suitable for all ages!
Costs?
Most libraries are free to visit, but to borrow resources normally requires registering to the library in question.
Safety Implications?
Libraries are reasonably safe environments – the main thing you should be aware of is respecting the quiet atmosphere, especially if you are taking younger students!
Accreditations?
There is a national accreditation scheme in operation for libraries and archives - find out more HERE about Accredited Archives.
National Organisations?
The National Library of Scotland is Scotland’s largest library. As well around 14 million printed items, we have over 100,000 manuscripts, around two million maps, and 25,000 newspaper and magazine titles. We receive roughly 320,000 new items every year, and have material in 490 languages.
The library has extensive collections and a comprehensive online catalogue.
The John Gray Centre Museum is located on the first floor of the Centre. This 5-star museum tells the story of East Lothian from its earliest settlers to present-day communities. Explore the land, the sea and the people of this historic region through our film, audio guides, activity sheets and handling objects.
The Wrexham Archives and Local Studies Service is the place in Wrexham to do your research on local history and family history.
In 1898, Lieutenant Colonel Robert William Inglis gifted the Inglis Memorial Hall and its library to Edzell. The former library, which is considered to be one of the best preserved examples of a Victorian public library in the United Kingdom, has recently been restored and opened as a visitor centre.
Angus Archives is the storehouse for 800 years of the area's written and photographic heritage. These records can be used for researching Scottish history, local history, family history, house history and social history. Also available are the records of the seven Angus Burghs of Arbroath, Brechin, Carnoustie, Forfar, Kirriemuir, Montrose and Monifieth and also of Angus County Council.
Aberdeenshire Museum Service HQ (AMS) is the first publicly accessible store for the county’s museum service, and was built with a substantial grant from Heritage Lottery Fund.
Armagh Public Library, the oldest library in Northern Ireland, was founded in 1771 by Archbishop Richard Robinson as part of his plans to establish a university and to improve the city of Armagh. Built to the design of Thomas Cooley, the building has housed both the Library and the Library Keeper's residence from the start.
There's so much to do at the newly refurbished Manchester Central Library:
Northamptonshire Archives hold a range of documents covering the history of our county from Norman times to the present day. The aim of the Heritage Education Service is to make this information accessible to school children of all ages.
We work in schools and at special events throughout the county and offer taught sessions using original documents.
We are sorry to announce that the Museum of Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust will be closing permanently on 31 March 2014.
The archive service will continue to be available to researchers by appointment, although availability may be limited during April 2014.
Jersey Archive was established as part of Jersey Heritage in 1993. The Archive is the Island’s national repository holding archival material from public institutions as well as private businesses and individuals.
Free admission.
Explore the rich life of Wolverhampton and its people through archives filled with fascinating documents, photographs, maps, recordings, ephemera and more.
Wolverhampton City Archives houses a wealth of materials relating to the history of all areas now within the city of Wolverhampton including Bilston, Bushbury, Penn, Tettenhall and Wednesfield.
Discovery Centres are modern, welcoming and friendly with a modern library service at the heart ... with books, information, music, DVDs and talking books for all ages and tastes.
The Richard Burton Archives is the corporate memory and archive repository of Swansea University and holds material of local, regional and national significance. The Archives selects, preserves and makes accessible to all the records of historical value created or acquired by the University.
The Dorset History Centre is the archives service and local studies library for Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole. We house Dorset's local archives - from council records to personal collections. Our online catalogue gives access to over 150,000 catalogue entries, with more being added all the time.
Housed in the west wing of the Bishop’s Palace is a modern library and archive facility in which we preserve many thousands of books and documents – most of them rare or unique - and make them available to people.
Plymouth and West Devon Record Office is your one-stop shop for help with family, house and local history research.
Devon & Cornwall Police's Heritage and Learning Resource contains extensive archives, artworks, photographs, ephemera, equipment and uniforms relating to the history of policing throughout Devon and Cornwall. The earliest items in the collection date from around 1840 and we continue to collect today.
Today’s railway represents 200 years of engineering inspiration, innovation and determination; the work that Network Rail does today is the next chapter in this astounding story.
The Online Archive
Our collections have outstanding collections in the fields of archives, art, science and technology, ethnography, archaeology, military and social history, maritime history and natural sciences. Our art, natural science, archives and science and industry collections have been awarded Designated status by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in recognition of their national importance.
The British Library is a treasure trove of the written word, housing just about every famous manuscript you can think of.
Here you can find:
The Gutenburg Bible
Caxton's Chaucer
Shakespeare's Quartos
Magna Carta
Lindisfarne Gospels
Captain Scott's Diary
Warwickshire’s history, Warwickshire’s memory
Warwickshire County Record Office collects, preserves and provides access to documents recording the history of the county, its people and places.
We look after the archives of the city of Bristol (and surrounding areas) and make them available to everybody, free of charge.
Search our online catalogue
Lothian Health Services Archive holds the historically important local records of NHS hospitals and other health-related material.
We collect, preserve and catalogue these records and promote them to increase understanding of the history of health and for the benefit of all.
We are home to an extraordinary range of documents, images, maps, films and books about London. On this site you can find out about the archives we hold, and get practical advice on how to use them.
The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
A 15-year-old boy fell 60ft over the edge of a cliff whilst on a geography school trip, miraculously only suffering minor injuries.