Curriculum Services: providing resources to support learning

Photo of students at Windy Ridge School enjoying their new selection of books from National Library.

The National Library’s Curriculum Services offers all New Zealand schools (primary, intermediate and secondary) access to a wide range of resources to support inquiry learning and literacy programmes. Educators can not only request resources on specific topics, but also request resources to support reading and writing programmes.

Resources include non-fiction, fiction, picture books and graphic novels. Some are available in Te Reo. Formats include books and audiovisual (DVDs and CDs) and are appropriate for years 1 to 13. Educators can receive links to online resources with their requests.

We will deliver free to any school anywhere in New Zealand. However, the cost of the return freight is the responsibility of the school. A discount is offered to schools through New Zealand Couriers, and you can see a copy of the National Library’s Return Freight rates (DOC) here.

You can search the National Library catalogue here.

Schools with print disabled students may wish to use the Print Disability Service of National Library. Information for borrowing from this special collection can be found here.

Magazine and newspaper articles can be selected from Index New Zealand (see here for more information) and ordered from Collection Delivery in Wellington.

You can also access links to online resources for high interest topics here.

Who can request resources

• Teachers
• School librarians
• Home educators
• Teacher trainees (when on Teaching Experience)

How to request resources online

You can order resources online by filling in the online request form. After submitting the request you will receive a confirmation email with the details you have filled in. Requests will take one to two weeks for delivery.

The loan period for items from the National Library Schools Collection is to the end of the current school term.  However, we do encourage you to return your loan earlier if you have finished with the resources.

Delivery delays can be experienced at the beginning of term. To avoid this we recommend getting your request in early, before the school holidays.

Phone and fax orders

You can submit your order by phone or fax if you prefer.

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Locations and opening hours

You can visit the location closest to you Monday to Friday to select resources and use the expert services of our librarians.

Auckland Centre
Palmerston North Centre
Christchurch Centre

Auckland
Phone 0800 356 000
Fax 0800 356 001
For other Auckland enquiries 09 365 8800

Palmerston North
Phone 0800 17 17 17 or 06 353 0475
Fax 0800 907 600 or 06 350 0961

Christchurch
Phone 0800 928 000 or 03 366 1075
Fax 0800 66 11 08

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Loan Policy

• Teachers who are registered and employed at a primary, intermediate or secondary school, and teacher trainees who have a current student ID and are on teaching practicum can borrow resources. Teacher trainees must provide the name of their Associate Teacher when placing a request.
• The standard loan is 30 items but there is some flexibility depending on class size, number of topics requested, and the level of demand for those topics. Links to online resources may be provided with your request and require a valid email address.
• Secondary  teachers can request a loan for each class that they teach.
• Resources from the National Library Schools Collection may be kept until the end of each term. Earlier return is appreciated when resources are no longer needed.You may then request further resources.
• All items must be returned by the end of each term.
• Items on loan from the National Library’s General Collections (in Wellington) have a five-week loan period. Please be aware that these will need to be returned direct to the National Library, Wellington, by the due date.  These include items on loan from the National Children’s Collection.
• Students may order resources through the school librarian or teacher librarian or through their classroom or subject teacher.
• If students are studying through Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (Te Kura) (formerly the Correspondence School), their resource needs will be provided by Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (Te Kura).

Home Educators

Home educators may borrow up to five resources per child. First time borrowers need to complete the application form, to ensure we have all your details. Home educators need to provide a birth certificate for children who are 5 years of age and a current Exemption Certificate from the Ministry of Education for children 6 to 18 years of age. Membership ceases when a child stops being home-schooled or is over 18 years of age.

Home educators application form [PDF]  A MS Word version of this form can also be downloaded from the link below.

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• National Library return freight rates (DOC) [81Kb]
• Home Educators application form (DOC) [79Kb]
• Home Educators application form (PDF) [68Kb]
• Directions and Parking - Auckland (PDF) [176Kb]