The library and librarian, Mrs Jensen, support all aspects of teaching and learning, as well as reading for pleasure. The library is open at break, lunchtime and after school, Monday-Thursday, and most classes visit regularly in lesson time. A team of trained student librarians helps Mrs Jensen, and book groups for different Years take place, usually at lunchtimes.

In 2016-17 events in the library have included a Travelling Books Book Fair, Chinese Week, fundraising Cake Sales, and Science Week experiments, as well as World Book Day. For the latest news about library activities, visit the library blog at https//allenbournlibrary.wordpress.com

How can parents help?

Your child still needs support and encouragement, even after they are reading fluently. Words for Life [ http://www.wordsforlife.org.uk/ ] has suggestions for all ages up to 11.

• Talk with your child about the books they choose. Read something they recommend, if you have the time. They may surprise you with their opinions!
• Talk about your own reading, and share it when you can, whatever it is (newspaper, graphic novel, classic fiction, cookery book).
• Join the public library: Dorset, Poole and Bournemouth are now one unified system, and you can look at the catalogue or reserve books online.
• As your child starts to look at the Teen and Adult sections, they may need more support in choosing the right kind of book.
• You can also borrow ebooks and audio books from the public library.

Reading suggestions

The library has lists of suggestions for Key Stage 2 pupils; all the books are available in the school library, and are grouped in three levels (Moving On, Core reading, Extension) [add as pdf files].
If you can, visit a bookshop and spend time together looking along the shelves. The websites below also have plenty of reviews, suggestions and links:

• Booktrust: Suggestions for teens, adults and children, and lots of useful information about reading and writing.
• Lovereading4kids: A great range of short reviews, sorted by age groups, genres, essentials, classics, etc.

Finding information: information literacy

Finding, assessing and using information responsibly is an important skill, which students continue to develop through their school career. Internet sources and printed books work together to give readers a broad outlook; the library’s stock includes books on students’ interests outside school, mental health issues, foreign languages and other countries, sports and biographies.