What is a School book rental scheme?

School book rental schemes can alleviate the costs of purchasing text books for parents and Pupils in both primary and post primary schools. Effectively, it’s a rental scheme that “pools” the upfront costs of purchasing books for selected classes or set of curriculum books by amortising both the cost of purchase and depreciation of the books over a set period of time, normally 3 years. In general, the scheme is administered in each school by the school principal in association with the Parent Teachers Association (PTA)

What Grants are available?

A grant scheme is available for students to help with the cost of school books. The scheme is mainly aimed at pupils from low-income families and families experiencing financial hardship. Funding for the scheme comes from the Department of Education and Skills. Broadly speaking, students who may be eligible for assistance under the School Books Grant Scheme include:

• Families that are mainly dependent on social welfare payments
• Families on low incomes, (for example, those receiving Family Income Supplement, and the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance)
• Families experiencing financial hardship because of particular circumstances (for example, where there is prolonged illness of a parent/guardian, addiction problems, etc.)
• Students who are in the care of foster families under arrangements made by a Local Health Office and students participating in Youthreach, VTOS and Post-Leaving Certificate Courses are ineligible for assistance under the School Books Grant Scheme.

However, in the current economic climate the rental scheme is rising in popularity amongst the general school community.

The rates for schools in the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) programme are higher than those for non-DEIS schools. Payment of funding to be allocated to schools to provide assistance for books can be analyised as follows: (2011 Data)

Primary Schools: (As of April 2011)

The allocation to schools for books allows an additional per capita funding of:

• Allocation to DEIS schools for books €21
• Allocation to non-DEIS schools for books €11

Post Primary Schools (As of June 2011)

The additional per capita funding to be provided is:

• Allocation to DEIS schools for books €39
• Allocation to non-DEIS schools for books €24
• Junior Certificate Schools Programme €60
• Transition Year Programme €95
• Leaving Certificate Applied Programme €151
• Physics and Chemistry €13

If you have any questions or require more details on book covering systems , visit our website or contact us: +353 1 460 2200

1/ Using the patented CoLibri Cover System, you can quickly and easily apply a transparent, custom-fit, durable and protective covering to almost any book in less than 30 seconds. It’s the world’s first instant book covering system that is available to any school, Library or bookshop at an affordable price.

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The system consists of a simple desktop machine and polyethylene covers. Manufactured to the highest standards, it is elegant, compact and portable. The work area is hinged for easy storage and transportation. This carefully designed system is the simplest and most practical book covering system available.

2/ No glues or adhesives are used, ensuring that your original book and its cover is not altered or damaged in any way. The system is designed to cover almost any size and shape of book whether soft or hard backed.

3/ Toy Safety Certification

• Colibri Branded covers are “Toy Safety Certified” to avoid potential hazards should a child take a covered book to the mouth.
• All Colibri Covers have been specially designed to work in tandem with their machine and any unauthorised use will affect both the quality of the sealed cover and safety of operation.

The Colibri Toy Safety Certification was undertaken by a well renowned institution in Europe and you can learn more about them through their website http://www.istitutomasini.it/eng/index.aspx

The toy safety certification is not the first test Colibri covers have passed successfully, other tests include the P.A.T. certification test (Photographic Activity Test) and also Excerpt Material Analysis which was performed by the Canadian Conservation Institute.

If you have any questions or require more details on Colibri book covering systems, visit our website or contact us: + 353 1 460 2200

1. The scheme is voluntary. Book lists will be supplied to parents in the normal way.

2. A security deposit of €_____ is payable on behalf of each student who joins the scheme. This deposit carries forward to the following year if all books are returned in good condition at the end of current year.

3. The security deposit will be held against the safe return of all books rented to pupils under the scheme. If books are lost or damaged, a percentage or all of this deposit will be retained to cover such loss or damage.

4. Full compensation for lost books will be required before re-admission to the scheme. However, this deposit will be returned should a pupil leave the scheme having safely returned all the rented books within an acceptable condition of use.

5. Annual rental: A rental charge of €____ per year will apply in addition to the security deposit of €____. The payment of both charges will secure the rental of all relevant text books listed in the book list as and when required throughout the school year.

6. Purchase of workbooks, disposable materials and stationery will remain outside the scope of this scheme and remain the responsibility of the parents.

7. To qualify for admission to the scheme the deposit and rental charge must be paid on or before 1st X month (June) each year. This deadline is absolute – no late applications will be considered.

8. The Department of Education Book Grant scheme will be operated separately from this scheme. Application forms for the book grant scheme can be obtained from the school office and must be submitted to the school office before X month. If a pupil is deemed eligible, a grant of €____ will be set against the rental charge of €_____ leaving a balance of €_____ to be paid. The Security deposit of €____ will still be payable if you are a new entrant to the scheme.

9. Each pupil/parent will be required to sign a receipt for the books supplied which will be retained in the school. The books supplied under the scheme will remain the property of the school and may be subject to inspection at any time by a member of the teaching staff.

10. Membership of the scheme is at the discretion of the school Principal. Any pupil found to be abusing, defacing or disposing of rented books will be dismissed from the scheme and will be required to supply their own text books for the remainder of their time in the school.

11. Books supplied under the scheme may be new or second hand at the discretion of the Principal.

If you have any questions or require more details on book covering systems, visit our website or contact us: + 353 1 460 2200

1/  Phase in the introduction gradually to help alleviate the initial financial outlay. For example English the first year, Maths the second year etc or select class years that would easily facilitate a pilot test.

2/  Engage participation of Parents. Instigate a questionnaire to compile views and opinions and any objections or hurdles that may be unforeseen.

3/ Run a costing and financial model to fund purchase.

4/ Consider purchasing from previous year pupils by offering to buy books second hand off parents who had them prior to the start of the scheme.

5/ Review the department grant for school books rental and examine your schools suitability for funding from this resource.

6/ Implement a book covering system to ensure the longevity of new and existing books. Old or worn books could be easily revived with a fresh new cover each year. Saving on replacement costs in future years. We suggest you to select Colibri Book Covering Machines to protect existing and new school books.

If you have any questions or require more details on book covering systems, visit our website or contact us: + 353 1 460 2200