Service Level Agreement 2024-2025 - Southampton Maintained

Service Level Agreement 2024-2025

Southampton Maintained Schools

Library Services – Primary Maintained Schools

1. Introduction

The services specified are provided under the terms of and at the prices detailed in

the Response Sheet.

Southampton Schools Library Service provides a range of services for all LEA

schools subscribing to the service including:

• Loan facilities

• Advisory services

• Practical work with schools to improve their libraries – we can offer a ‘refresh’

of school’s library by offering a total or partial update of book stock and work

with schools to ensure quality, and relevance of books including school’s own

book stock.

• An annual report of services provided to each school

• Reader development support, guidance may be given for Book Weeks and

Author events

• Online Bookshop with negotiated discount via our book suppliers

• A regular newsletter

2. Service Options

Loan Facilities (Core)

A comprehensive range of professionally selected books and material is provided to

enhance the learning resources of the school and promote reading for pleasure in

school

A commitment to provide appropriate books that are reflective of diversity and

inclusion in school

Primary Schools are loaned 3 books per pupil. A minimum of 350 books is provided

to all schools regardless of size. The allocations are based on the October PLASC

returns

Each school is entitled to unlimited book exchanges to update their stock.

Exchanges can take place on a regular basis either, by appointment at the School

Library Service Centre as agreed with the school. or delivery to the school

We can purchase and provide schools with class sets of books for teaching

purposes (at the discretion of the SLS and based on individual requests)

Reading sets are available to support Guided Reading and Book Groups within school,

additionally we will purchase on request (at the discretion of the SLS)

We can provide a bespoke stock selection and delivery service for school - we can

act as ‘personal shoppers’ if required by school

Large format books are stocked for whole class teaching

We can support Accelerated Reader (AR) by providing shelf ready stock with AR

stickers

All schools can access the SLS online catalogue via a school personal account.

Reservations can be made via the catalogue or by email request direct from teaching

staff

Materials can be collected from the School Library Service Centre (based at the

Civic Centre) or delivered by prior arrangement

We provide an enquiry/request service by phone or email to all schools during term-

time.

Braille picture books are available to loan for use within the school.

We have large print material and can purchase on request

A comprehensive EAL language collection is available

Loan Facilities (optional)

• Extra paperback books, above the SLA allocation, can be arranged at a cost

of £3.50 per item.

Advisory Services – (Core)

The School Library Service provides an advisory service on all matters concerning

library and book related matters. These services include (subject to availability)

• Ofsted support (pre and post)

• Curriculum support

• Support for resource selection.

• Support for stock maintenance.

• Advice on library development and library policy

• Library layout and design

• Advice and practical work concerning the relocation of the school library.

• Library Management systems

• Book promotion to staff and pupils

• Current trends in publishing

Advisory Services – (Optional)

• Input and advice at Parents’ Evenings and Open Days. This will be charged at

£55 per hour

• Author and Storyteller visits by arrangement. This would involve individual

costs charged separately

• Participation in reader development activities including shadowing local and

national book awards

ICT Support:

The SLS will support the use of library management systems and can offer

advice on purchasing

Training and Development:

We can offer bespoke sessions to teaching staff dependent on school requirements

and through mutual agreement with SLS librarians

Schools which do not subscribe to the service:

There would be no buy back arrangements. Schools would not receive the

services provided by the Schools Library Service including book stock, existing

stock would be returned to the SLS. Should there be a difference in the actual

number of items returned to the SLS and the amount of stock on loan to the

school, a replacement charge of £8 per item will be made for any losses over

5% of the total stock on loan to the school. Training courses would be offered

with a specific rate for non-subscribers.

Schools which convert to Academy status during the period covered by

this SLA:

Any school which wishes to buy back from the Council’s School Library Service

but then subsequently converts to Academy status during the financial year will

receive a refund on a pro-rata basis from the date of conversion. The Service is

still available to academies and will be re-charged from the date of conversion.

Schools which merge during the period covered by this SLA:

Where a school buys back from the council’s School Library Service but then

subsequently merges with another school during the financial year and one

library remains instead of two, a pro-rata refund will be paid to the school with

the closing library. If the merger does not lead to the closure or reduction in the

number of libraries the funding basis will be unchanged. If this proposal causes

concerns, please contact the School Library Service to discuss the matter.

Force Majeure

There may be events where certain circumstances may arise which are beyond the

control of the School Library Service which make performance inadvisable,

commercially impracticable, illegal, or impossible. Elements of the provision detailed

in the service level agreement may be temporarily suspended. Events might include

acts of state or governmental action prohibiting or impeding any party from

performing its respective obligations under the service level agreement. In such

cases the School Library Service would inform subscribing schools and academies

immediately of any issues affecting provision of services and seek to resume

provision once practical and legally permitted.

3. Pricing

Primary School annual charge

£1,945.54 plus £4.28 per pupil

4. Service Contacts and Performance Review

Any queries, concerns or complaints about the overall operation of the scheme

should be addressed to:

Siobhan McGarrigle

Reading, Young People and Area Manager

Direct line: 023 8083 2595

Email: sls@southampton.gov.uk