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Services for teachers

Find out about our special services for teachers and other group leaders working with children in Burnaby:

Group loan cards

Allow teachers and group leaders to borrow children's material from Burnaby Public Library for classroom use.

Who is eligible?
  • Teachers at elementary schools in Burnaby. Please note: on-call (TOCs) and student teachers are not eligible.
  • Burnaby daycares and preschools licensed by the Fraser Health Authority.
  • Burnaby daycares and preschools registered with the Burnaby/New Westminster Child Care Resource and Referral.
  • Other qualifying children's group programmers or leaders in Burnaby. Please contact the Coordinator of Children's Services for details.
How to get a Group Loan Card

Take a completed application form to any branch:

Conditions of use
  • although there is no limit to the number of books that may be borrowed on a group loan card, we reserve the right to limit the number of items borrowed on a topic
  • multiple copies of a title may not be borrowed
  • regular loan periods and fines apply
  • group loan cards expire annually on July 31 and are renewable August 1

Field trips to the library

Full visit with a children's librarian

As a Burnaby educator, you can book a full visit with a children's librarian once a year for your:

  • daycare
  • preschool
  • elementary school class
  • other group of 10 or more children

Activities will be customized to meet your group's needs and may include an:

  • orientation tour
  • storytime
  • booktalk
  • library skills overview
Book exchange visits

Develop a library routine by scheduling regular self-directed visits to the library for your class to select and return books. 

How to book field trips to the library

Please contact the children's librarian at your branch well in advance of your proposed visit.

Library cards for your students

You can get library cards for the children in your care who don't already have them.

  • print the BPL card application form and note to parents [PDF] and make enough copies for your students
  • alternatively, drop into any branch well before your field trip to pick up a set of applications forms
  • please allow plenty of time for parents to complete and sign the application forms
  • we need at least one week to process the forms after they have been returned to the library

Encouraging your students to get library cards

Visits to schools

Please feel free to invite us to your school to promote the public library, the latest books, the summer reading club and more to students and/or parents.  Remember to book early as available times fill up quickly.

Parent talks

We will be happy to come to a parent meeting at your daycare, preschool or elementary school to talk about library services and resources for children and their parents.  Please contact the children's librarian at your branch to book a visit.

Storytime kits

Early childhood educators can borrow thematic kits to help deliver fun and effective storytimes to children in Burnaby.  Each of the 80 kits includes:

  • picture books specially chosen as read-alouds
  • assorted props including puppets, felt stories and CDs
  • an activity manual with a selection of fingerplays, action songs and other rhymes
How to borrow

A BPL group loan card is required to borrow the kits.  See the conditions of borrowing for more information.

Themes

Click on a theme to check availability and to reserve:

Conditions of borrowing
  • All items in the kits are intended for use by adults during a circle time setting. The kits contain many fragile items and small pieces.  Please handle with care.
  • A BPL group loan card is required for check out.
  • Two kits may be borrowed at a time.
  • Kits can be reserved for pick up at any BPL branch.
  • Kits may be borrowed for 28 days. No renewals.
  • Kits kept past the 28 day loan period will be charged $1 per day per bag.
  • Kits must be returned to a BPL branch during open hours. Please do not put kits in the night return.
  • Each kit contains a detailed contents list. Borrowers will be charged the replacement cost for any missing or severely damaged items.
© 2012 Burnaby Public Library