Subscription information for Library Authorities
Stories from the Web® is a reader development website for children and young people from the ages of 0 to 14, managed by Birmingham Libraries. It combines conventional literature promotion with computer-based activities to engage children in creative reading and writing activities.
A subscription to the website allows full access to all children within your local authority for a year.
Costs
Stories from the Web is now part of the MLA’s Reference Online offer which ensures that if a number of authorities within a region subscribe then they all achieve a significant discount on the individual authority subscription.
Special offer
The cost of membership is based on population figures within the authority. This year (2010/2011) we are offering a 15% discount on the usual fee.
We can also offer a free one month trial. For further information please contact us.
Stories from the Web
The site is divided into 3 distinct areas for children and young people.
The 0-7 age group access the site through a play room where they can explore the room, change the background, make musical noises, and see our characters Jif and Jape playing. Further information.
For 7-11 year olds the homepage is a castle with various ‘windows highlighted. The banners on the right of the page highlight the latest activities on the site. You can click on these or you can select a door on the castle to enter one of these four areas. Further information.
11-14 year olds have a newly designed area of the site which provides opportunities to write, review and comment on the work of other young people. Further information.
Our offer to Libraries
- a support site for libraries to deliver knowledge and information about the world of children’s books
- a range of engaging creative reading, writing & craft based activities to support the development of children and young people
- support for libraries’ delivery of the literacy and reader development agendas
- access to and opportunities to interact with authors and books online
- access to an individual authority gallery with stories, reviews, drawings and feedback from local children & young people
- access to a database of work submitted by children and young people from across the UK and worldwide
- three areas tailored for specific age groups; early years, 7-11 and 11-14
- access to a range of locked activities only available to subscribers
- access for all children within your authority: in the library or at home
- opportunity to encourage local children to visit the library to acquire the log in details
- support for delivery of ECM outcomes with a Stay Safe area and a new Be Healthy area
- training – a one day comprehensive training session which allows staff to try out individual areas of the site & consider how to promote access within their libraries
- a collection of ready prepared, themed session plans aiding delivery of exciting and meaningful holiday and after hours activity sessions for children and young people
- opportunity to promote your libraries’ events & activities and encourage children & young people to provide online feedback on these events
- direct access to the Summer Reading Challenge for children & young people to review books, and additional areas of the site linked to this
- information about graphic novels on the 11-14 site
- statistical data which includes monthly log ins for children & young people and for staff and yearly totals for the amount of work submitted to the authority’s individual gallery
Benefits
- enhanced staff area with more downloadable & customisable publicity materials and more detailed session plans
- provides an opportunity to link with local schools and other agencies working with children and young people e.g. youth clubs and children’s centres
- opportunities to provide access through partnership deals – e.g. Staffordshire libraries are working with Adult and Community Learning who are funding their subscription through the Family Learning budget
- full access to all ’locked’ activities and competitions
- a gallery for all the work that is sent in from individual children in your area
- individual club, group or child galleries
- phone & email support
- regularly up-dated activities
- session plans
- downloadable publicity material
- fully moderated by experienced, CRB cleared staff
- specialist areas e.g. Stay Safe
Developments
The site is constantly being updated with new content, such as the latest book extracts or book awards. In 2010 we are also planning to:
- develop staff forum pages
- enhance opportunities to provide information on local library events
- create a Make a Positive Contribution area - with activities and advice for children and young people on engaging in their community
- include more videos of storytellers
- create new extracts and activities
- introduce non-fiction titles
What our customers say
“I think if I had the chance to tell the whole world something, I would tell them to go on this website.” Abbey
“I think it is a beautiful website I could live in it I like it that much.” Laura
“Wonderful website full of potential for use in libraries.” Dorset
“Excellent base for planning sessions and catching young people’s interest … inspiring ideas for writing and learning new skills as well as encouraging more reading.” Suffolk
“A very useful tool to provide creative & up-to-date inspiration for young readers.” Suffolk
“Loved the early years’ section, very interactive.” Kirklees |