What the library means to us

Story: Schola Cashdan & Firs Hill Level 1 ESOL

Photo: Lisa Swift

Burngreave Library is a great resource for teaching and learning. I sometimes take my ESOL students there to explore and use the facilities.

In November, we held a session in the library and the students borrowed resources for their class work and books to read with their children. They also had an opportunity to interview the staff about what the library offers and what the proposed changes are for the library in the future.

We usually take part in the in the Six Book Challenge which the students enjoy and it improves their literacy skills.

I was particularly amazed at the variety of services that the library staff offer, including supporting people with IT and running children and parent groups.

Library worker Janet Ring told us,

“I have worked in Sheffield Library Service for 40 years, and here at Burngreave for 13 years. Burngreave is my favourite library. We give lots of help to people using the computers, finding information and directing them to other services.We are often run off our feet, but library users here in Burngreave are always very grateful for the help we provide. To work in a library you have to be patient, well organised and knowledgeable.”

Librarian Sue Taylor said,

“My job is very varied. I work across 3 libraries and I’m often asked to cover others. I go out to groups to talk about the library service, encouraging them to use it, and I work with groups who come in to visit. It’s a very demanding job serving the public, you don’t know what you will face each day, that’s why I like it.”

Here are some of the comments and ideas from the students:

“Library staff put all the books in order and give information about the internet. They arrange toddler group sessions. Library staff give information about different courses like English conversation classes and computer classes. Volunteers are always less responsible and they would make excuses and they would not come on time. Because of this the library will wither away along with the precious books.” Sobia

“Using volunteers to run the Library will be difficult to manage and co–ordinate if there are a lot of people. Some volunteers can’t manage to come every day and on time. It is difficult to get a range of skills in one person. “Library staff organise the Six Book Challenge for children and there are many benefits. It encourages children to read and improve their writing skills. They become more confident with reading skills. Children enjoy this activity and have fun. At the end of the Six Books Challenge they get a certificate or stickers” Masarat and Amal

“Library staff help visitors in the library. They help and show how we can borrow the books and help anyone who cannot find books. If volunteers take over the running of our library they must know how to put the books in order. They must know how to use the computer. They should be patient and they must be confident. They must deal with problems with the children and be happy in work because they will meet different people.

“The benefits of taking part in the Six Book Challenge for adults are improving reading, improving writing skills, being more confident, learning new vocabulary and information. You can share ideas if they have reading groups.” Fatima

“Library staff offer information services, lifelong learning, special services, cultural and social activities. If the library was run by volunteers, then the opening hours are likely to be affected because there is less commitment. In addition, the quality of the service will not be good because volunteers do not have experience. The volunteers can help run the library but they should not replace employed, paid and trained staff.” Amira and Faeza