Co-operation is also included in school curricula. Teachers are welcome to reserve visits for their groups.
Library and schools
Valkeakoski public library Valo is working together with the schools in Valkeakoski.
The aim of cooperation between the library and the schools is to develop pupils’ multiliteracy skills and to encourage them to find independent information. Co-operation is also included in school curricula. Each school has a designated person responsible for co-operation with the library. Contact persons meet in the spring.
Schools that have classes with combined grade levels participate in the same programme as other schools. If necessary, the library visits are organized in such a way that even an entire school can get instruction and guidance on the same day.
Elementary school (grades 1-6)
First-graders
First-graders are introduced to the library bus or the main library. Pupils get the chance to obtain a library card. The aim is that first-graders learn to use the library and understand the basic responsibilities regarding borrowed materials.
Second-graders
Second-graders visit the main library during the spring term. Library classification system and organization of books on shelves as well as the alphabetical ordering by authors’ last names should be discussed at school. In the library, pupils work under the guidance of librarians to complete easy search tasks, and they can also visit the children’s pages of the PIKI online library.
Third-graders
Third-graders visit the main library in the autumn term to meet a visiting author or illustrator. The visit is organised by the library. Pupils study the author’s or illustrator’s works at school prior to the visit.
Fourth-graders
Fourth-graders visit the main library in the autumn term to practice searching information with guidance from the librarian. The aim is that fourth graders are able to use the author, title and keyword search capabilities of the Piki online library service, understand the book index and classification system, and are familiar with the various search methods at the library.
Five- and sixth-graders
can visit the main library to improve their information search skills or explore suitable literature or other materials. The aim is to maintain or develop the pupils’ practical information search and retrieval skills.
Middle school (grades 7-9)
Grade 7
Pupils strengthen their knowledge of information seeking and classification system. They learn to use the Piki online library, internet databases and subject indexes. Pupils also get to know the e-sources of the library.
Grade 8
Eight-graders participate in an author’s visit. The librarians and the teachers agree on the author visits and shared costs.
Grade 9
The librarian introduces grade 9 pupils to Internet fiction-related links and literature sources, which is useful for pupils when they find information for their author portfolios for school.
Teachers can obtain a group library card to borrow library materials. The card can only be used at the Valkeakoski Public Library.
Book series are meant for grades 1-6 and book packages of different themes are meant for all grades. The list of book series is available on the
library’s Finnish website (list is only in Finnish). The expert staff of the youth section are happy to assist teachers and will compile book packages by themes, if necessary.
- 1st grade, Tietola Kati Leppäkoski
- 1st grade, other schools Leena Takala
- Grade 2 Kati Leppäkoski
- Grades 3, 5, 6, 8 Minna Edgren
- Grade 4 Minna Edgren and Kati Leppäkoski
- Grade 7 Minna Edgren
- Grade 9 Heidi Hosio
- Book Series Minna Edgren
- Upper secondary schools Leena Toivonen
- Library bus Leena Takala