Using Your Library

Services for Teachers and Students in the dlr Area

Teacher in classroom

Did you know dlr Libraries have resources and outreach facilities available to all teachers and students in the dlr area? This includes pre-schools, primary, secondary and special educational needs schools.

Services include teachers' cards that can be used to borrow material for your class. Local libraries also offer class visits and tours, author visits as well as Science Week and other events for school children, study spaces, local history and online research resources. We offer library programmes during the holiday period that encourage literacy over the summer months.

Teachers' Card facility

All teachers that work in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area can avail of our teachers' card facility from their local library. To obtain one of these you must present proof of address (a current utility bill, etc.) and a letter from your school principal on headed paper stating that you are currently employed there. You may collect items and books from the branch library of your choice. The Teachers' card allows you to borrow up to 40 items for an extended period of 12 weeks.

 

Class visits

Library staff are always happy to facilitate schools with class visits and tours.  You can make irregular visits or make it part of your weekly/monthly routine. Please contact the library in advance if you would like a tour. Children can be registered as members if they are not already members. Children can borrow items, or teachers can arrange for classroom sets to be available to them in the library branch of their choosing. Read more about classroom sets HERE.

 

Project Work

Your local library can provide reference resources and research assistance to pupils and teachers for school project work.

 

Downloadable books and comics

Did you know your local library has thousands of ebooks, audiobooks and comics? You can borrow them, instantly, for free, using just the device in your hand. Click here for further details on downloadable books.

 

Learn languages online

Transparent Language Online 'features a scientifically proven methodology, the widest variety of high-quality learning materials, and seamless integration of real-life language used by native speakers, all packaged together in an easy-to-use interface. Click here to sign up

 

Read newspapers and magazines online

Hundreds of magazines are available for free

Press Reader and offers access to hundreds of newspapers from around the world - click HERE for more information.

 

Online courses and online reference services

dlr libraries have great resources to help with fact checking, including: The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland, Ask about Ireland, Dictionary of Irish Biography, Encyclopaedia Britannica.

We also have online resources that are only accessible in our library branches: Irish Newspaper Archives, Irish Times Archive, Ordnance Survey Ireland historical maps, JSTOR (leading academic journals), RIAN (Irish research publications).

Please contact your local library for more information.

 

Local Studies

Looking for information and resources for your students? Each dlr library keeps information about local history connected to their own area.

The local studies department for the county is located in dlr LexIcon and can provide access to a wide range of historical material about your local area including maps, photographs, documents and information. Please note, there is no walk up service, appointments must be booked in advance via email: localhistory@dlrcoco.ie

Study spaces

A limited number of places for studying and reference work is available in dlr Library branches.
For health and safety reasons this number cannot be exceeded.

Branch Study places:

Guidelines on the use of study spaces can be found HERE.

 

Summer Reading programme

Summer Stars is a national programme that provides the whole family with an opportunity to explore the full range of events and facilities which are available in their local library, such as story time sessions, children’s activities, access to talking books and games, computers and Internet access, and of course children’s books for all ages.

dlr Libraries reading programme offers great incentives along the way to encourage children to read over the summer, every child that completes a reading card is in with a chance to win wonderful prizes. We also host exciting events for children during the summer.

 

Find your Library

The county has eight branch libraries serving the educational and recreational needs of all who live, work or study in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area. Current library membership is 58,000 and continues to grow. 1.4 million books were issued last year. You can find contact details, branch locations, opening hours, facilities and upcoming events for each branch library by clicking HERE.