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CE Blog 2019_8: Storm on the horizon?

16 de Agosto de 2019, 21:25

 

This month's CE blog is a little late - apologies - but offers some tips and guidance for what to do if you're concerned about the future of your library. 

Is there a storm on the horizon?

I know many will be wishing for a quiet and peaceful August (despite the weather), and it’s not that I’m trying to ruin this, but September tends to be a demanding month, so I wanted to put this out there for people to ruminate on.

I think there may be a storm on the horizon – there are more than a few signs that are indicating that things may be about to get increasingly difficult for those of us in the school library sector.

School finances have been hit multiple times with a pensions increase, an unfunded pay rise for teachers and increased uncertainty as a new Education Secretary joins the cabinet. These are all going to lead to changes and increased insecurity all round – and when added to a certain amount of anxiety about the new Ofsted Framework times in schools are not looking smooth.

I really feel for those Heads and Governors who are in tricky situations – yet another round of incredibly tough decisions may have to be made, and some school library staff will feel insecure in their roles.  Logically, we will know these decisions are not being made lightly; in some schools there is little to go around – and in others preventative decisions may be being looked at. Even in schools where the school library staff feel secure change can happen very quickly, so it helps to always be aware of these issues.

So, if things are difficult, how do you protect your library?

  1. 1. Annual report – I can’t overstate how important this is. I know that school libraries have benefitted in some ways from not being part of the ‘accountability driven’ part of education. However, if you’re not accountable, in some ways you’re not responsible either, and that undermines school libraries and their staff. In our current education system for the majority of school libraries if you’re not accountable you’re not being seen. What we do from day to day is so varied – equal parts science and magic – that we should expect to have to explain it for those who are not part of it every day to understand the impact. Heads, governors and HR are not a part of it, and they are the ones we need to have understand the role. An annual report is a chance to reflect on what you’ve done, why you did it and what you accomplished. Here’s my top tips:

  • Don’t be afraid to say you tried something and it didn’t work – just explain what you learnt, and what you’d do differently.

  • Make sure it relates to the school development plan/Ofsted aims/current objectives of the school.

  • Place a few questions throughout you can pick up in your next meeting with your line manager/chat with the head or governor

  1. 2. Weed – this may seem illogical: money is tight = get rid of books, but first impressions are absolutely essential, and if your school is in a situation with a high staff turnover you need to be able to make an instant impression – and having books from the 70s is not going to win them over. The fewer new books you buy, the more you need them to stand out, and pupils are more likely to borrow if they can see books they want – display is essential. Here’s my top weeding tips:

  • Don’t feel like it has to be a huge job – do a section at a time each half term on a rolling basis. Pupils and staff will get used to it! (If you do have funds or think this is important but don’t have the time you can ask for funds to do this – there are some great companies out there who’ll do it for you).

  • Ask a critical friend to come and have a look – sometimes it’s hard to see it from a fresh perspective when we’re in it every day. This can mean we accumulate and make excuses; so distance can be useful.

  • Don’t just focus on the topics that are more likely to need weeding (science and computers) – the humanities need some attention too; context is everything. Pay attention to the careers section too!

  • If you have rare/donations/useful books you can’t/don’t want to get rid of consider a separate section or an archives section – this will increase usability for pupils, and show that you’re aware there’s a different purpose for these.

  1. 3. Welcome new teachers – even if you can’t do welcome bags for everyone (a great Lucas Maxwell idea) do something to show new teachers you are there to help.

  • A resources list for their next topic

  • A list of the best book and digital reviews from The School Librarian

  • Offer them training on the LMS/other school technology/programmes. You’re a font of knowledge – share it!

  1. 4. Prepare for Ofsted/ISI – if you know your time is coming keep a running report of the main sections of the Ofsted/ISI reports and send it to your line manager/Head/ Chair of Governors (or even better your link Governor) and the main people you work with. Our work is so broad even the teachers we work with most closely will only have a snapshot. When that call comes, the inspectors should not have to come to the library to see or hear about what you’ve been doing – make sure the people they are going to talk to are informed enough to advocate for you.

  • Talking points – do them every half term and send them to all the relevant people

  • Attend one of the SLA training days: ‘Preparing for Inspection’ – it’s newly updated and will help you get ahead of the game.

  1. 5. Ask your SLT what the school’s main foci are for the year ahead and see how you can help. Sometimes a small tweak is all it takes, sometimes you may want to try something bigger, but make sure the effort and results are measured. You need to be able to show the intent and impact.

  • If you’re running a book group change the target audience (from PP to EAL for example) and make sure it’s accessible for the new audience.

  • If literacy is a focus use your LMS to measure the average reading age of the books being borrowed – this needn’t be all the time, but a snapshot over a few weeks can give a picture. Over the course of the year this can help show progress.

  • Reach out to local newspapers with events and good news – they can be really great advocates for both you and the school. Write a press release that isn’t more than a page long – and send photos if you can.

 

If the situation does occur and conversations start to happen, don’t take it personally. Find out the situation of the school, and work as a team where you can – this may mean changing your ‘red lines’. Try and be open and positive – things are more likely to be hidden where a negative reaction is expected, and if a negative reaction is needed make sure it’s backed up with evidence and impact, not just emotion.

 If you would like some support call the SLA or your local SLS as soon as possible – we can’t get involved in HR disputes (only a union can; and they can only help when it's a new dispute- which is why everyone should be a member of a union), but where the conversation is about use of space, or future developments we can help.

In response to times like this it can be tempting to batten down the hatches but we need to be more open. It can be easy to become more tribal and for the atmosphere to become more divisive, but we need to be more accepting, more encouraging and more open about both our successes and our struggles. We are one team, with teachers and all support staff, and it can be difficult to remember this when we feel like what we do isn’t understood, which is why doing the reports and getting out of the library is so important. And if you need any support, to vent or find a constructive path forwards do get in touch – we are here to help.

Further reading:

 

  

✇ SLA Blog

Job Vacancies, Ilford County High School: Learning Resource Centre Manager

16 de Agosto de 2019, 21:25

Learning Resource Centre Manager
Ilford County High School, Barkingside

Temporary for 1 year – term time only
40 hours per week

Grade VR4 - £23,826 (pro rata)   
Closing Date: Friday 30th August 2019
Interview date: Thursday 19th September 2019

To apply for the position please send a copy of your CV, with a covering letter outlining your relevant experience for this role to e-mail visionrecruitment[at]visionrcl.org.uk

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of an innovative partnership between Vision and Ilford County High School.  We are looking for an experienced School Librarian who can manage, develop and promote the Learning Resource Centre at Ilford County High School.

You will be proactive, imaginative, self-motivated and be able to work both independently and as part of the whole school team.  An ability to enthuse and inspire students as to the value of reading and the importance of good information skills is essential, as is an ability to work under pressure and remain calm in difficult situations. 

You will enjoy and have experience of working with young people and teachers. The initial contract will be for 1 academic year with the possibility of it becoming permanent. 

Vision - Redbridge Culture & Leisure provides a wide range of culture and leisure services on behalf of the London Borough of Redbridge. It aims to increase participation, accessibility and inclusivity across its services, developing partnerships and sharing best practice throughout facilities.

For further information or to request the job description and person specification for this role, please e-mail visionrecruitment[at]visionrcl.org.uk

ICHS Job Descr

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ICHS Person Spec

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✇ SLA Blog

Into Film Festival sign up

16 de Agosto de 2019, 21:25

The Into Film Festival returns between 6-22 November 2019. Three weeks of engaging film screenings, workshops and special events across the UK and it's all completely FREE!

The Festival offers easy-to-organise school trips to the cinema, with a specially curated programme supporting a multitude of curriculum subjects with educational resources ensuring continued learning back in the classroom.

Sign up for Into Film Festival updates here

 

 

 

✇ SLA Blog

Supporting Diversity and Inclusion in School Libraries: Wallsend, Tyne & Wear, 6 November 2019

25 de Julho de 2019, 08:42

Our course Supporting Diversity and Inclusion in School Libraries, run by Barbara Band, will be held at Wallsend Customer First Centre, 16 The Forum, Wallsend, Tyne and Wear NE28 8JR on 6 November 2019. The closing date is 22 October 2019. Bookings received by 26 September 2019 are eligible for a £15.00 discount.  Payment is not needed to qualify for the discount as long as an official order has been received.

Key Audience:

Secondary school library staff

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✇ SLA Blog

Job Vacancies, Wrenn School: Resource Centre Manager , Wrenn School

24 de Julho de 2019, 20:56

 

Wrenn School
Resource Centre Manager 

Part time- 3 days a week (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday)  

Permanent Post 

22.5 hours per week (8.00am – 4.00pm each day) 

38 weeks per year (term time only)

Start date – ASAP  

Actual Salary: Grade 7 Points 23- 25 (Actual £13,742.19 - £14,651.24 per annum)

Grading and Salary will be based in accordance with our Pay Policy, linked to Performance

We are looking to appoint for a new member of staff to join our expanding English team and share the running of our Learning Resource Centre. The successful applicant will be working across both sites (London and Doddington Road).

Wrenn School was awarded SCHOOL OF THE YEAR 2018 (Northampton Education Awards) and has the ambition, the expertise and the determination to ensure that our outcomes will continue to improve beyond our current P8 score of +0.19. To do this, it is vital that we attract the right calibre of professional to work alongside our dedicated team of staff. We are looking for a colleague who shares the clear vision that the child is at the heart of everything we do, who can enjoy positive, professional relationships with young people and who demonstrates high levels of resilience and emotional intelligence.

Your career and development as a member of staff is important to us and every member of staff receives an Individual Professional Development Programme. We empower staff to take ownership of their career progression and we invest significantly in training, outreach work and research projects linked to the needs of our students and the school.

The successful candidate will be joining our family at an exciting time where we aim to be recognised as a top 10% school in the UK by 2021.  We believe that every student is entitled to an outstanding education where they have excellent opportunities to achieve beyond their potential. We have a traditional ethos called 'Proud to be Wrenn' underpinning our School and strive to develop the aspirations and values of every student and member of staff.

Situated on the outskirts of the town of Wellingborough, Wrenn is a popular School with dynamic, inspirational and caring staff.  Expectations are high, Wrenn demands high standards and aspirations from students and staff alike, with an excellent programme of CPD support that will support and develop your career at Wrenn.

For an application pack or to arrange a visit to our School, please contact Miss A Pomroy, 01933 222039 or alice.wright[at]wrennschool.org.uk or download the documents below or visit our website  www.wrennschool.org.uk

Closing date: Monday 2nd September 2019

Interview date: Week commencing 9th September 2019   

We are an equal opportunities employer.  The organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, we expect all staff to share this commitment.   An enhanced DBS check, together with references from previous employers will be requested for short-listed applicants prior to interview.

Wrenn LRC Manager - Recruitment Information Pack

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Wrenn Application form support staff excluding TAs

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Wrenn Equality and diversity monitoring form staff

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✇ SLA Blog

Hachette Publishers Supporting Book Clubs

18 de Julho de 2019, 22:30

Hachette Education publisher is offering goodie bags to book clubs to accompany Lucy Powrie’s brand new teen series The Paper and Hearts Society. To celebrate the launch of the first book in the series, Hachette will sponsor as many book clubs – existing or new – as possible, by providing a set of items including:

·       A club notebook

·       A club poster

·       Feedback sheets

·       Peelable stickers for notebooks, laptops or phones

·       Bookmarks

·       A recommended reading list from Lucy Powrie

More details here

 

  

✇ SLA Blog

Apollo Moon landing book giveaway

18 de Julho de 2019, 22:30

 

Harbour Moon Publishing

PDF file, 207 kB (Requires Adobe Reader)


Where Once We Stood Jacket Lowres (1)Win 1 of 3 copies of WHERE ONCE WE STOOD: Stories of the Apollo Astronauts Who Walked on the Moon

This year sees the 50th anniversary of the first humans landing on the Moon. To mark this historic occasion, BAFTA and EMMY nominated film maker and expert on the Apollo missions, Christopher Riley, and multi-award winning artist Martin Impey, whose paintings of Moonwalks have been celebrated by the astronauts themselves, have created a book which offers a rare insight into what it really felt like to live and work on another world.

From the first footprints left by Neil and Buzz during their pioneering walk on the Sea of Tranquility, to the final ambitious expeditions – as astronauts drove electric cars deep into the mountains of the Moon, this is a revealing record of what it truly meant to explore a place beyond Earth. WHERE WE ONCE STOOD is a book that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

 

We have 3 copies of WHERE ONCE WE STOOD to give away to SLA members. For your chance to win one just email your name and full address to laurasmythecontact[at]gmail.com using the subject line School Librarian WOWS COMP. The winners will be chosen at random after the closing date of 31st July.

 

  

✇ SLA Blog

Job Vacancies, Hurlingham Academy: Careers and Learning Resource Manager, Hurlingham Academy

16 de Julho de 2019, 21:09

 

THE HURLINGHAM ACADEMY

Job title: Careers and Learning Resource Manager, 41 weeks/year, 37.5 hr/day

Required: September 2019 

Salary: Competitive

About the role:  We are seeking to appoint an innovative Careers and Learning Resource Manager who will promote a learning ethos, encouraging students to use the Library for a variety of different types of study.

The Person: You will need to have professional qualification or relevant experience in Library and Information Science.

The successful candidate will need to be able to work independently as well as part of a team. You will need to be able to work under pressure, have excellent communications skills, and be computer literate. 

You will have experience in promoting the development of reading and love of literature, and to manage, monitor and evaluate, educational resources and their use, ensuring relevancy to the curriculum and School Improvement Plan within the allotted budget.

You will be enthusiastic about working within a school environment, and supporting the needs of the Academy.

About Hurlingham Academy: Located just south of Parsons Green in the west London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, the small 11-16 school is the kind of place where you can make a huge impact at every level and in every role, whilst being able to enjoy the benefits of a central London location. With calm and friendly classrooms, staff and students have the perfect environment to do what they do best: teach and learn.

We are seeking to appoint committed and hardworking staff who are passionate about making a difference to the lives of our children and young people.

Additional information: For an informal discussion about the role please contact Ian Ilett at Hurlingham Academy on 02077312581.

 It is important that all applicants complete the full application process at https://unitedlearning.current-vacancies.com/Jobs/Advert/1659511?cid=1567

Closing date: noon, Friday 26th July 2019.

Safeguarding info: The Hurlingham Academy are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check is required for all successful applicants.

UNITED LEARNING is a subsidiary charity of the not-for-profit charity, the United Church Schools (UCS) and shares with it the objective of managing schools which offer students a high quality education based on the principles of service and tolerance. Registered Charity No. 1093277.

Hurlingham Academy JD & Person Spec

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✇ SLA Blog

Weekend Course 2019: Presentations from the Weekend Course

16 de Julho de 2019, 21:09

Keynotes:

Nicola Morgan – Stress & the Teenage Brain: The Science and Tips to Help: https://www.nicolamorgan.com/resources/

 

Elizabeth Wright – Character Education, Aspirations, Storytime, and Me: 

 

Natasha Devon – Identity and Well-being in Young People: 

 

Anne Teravainen-Goff, National Literacy Trust – Well-being and the School Library: What the Research Says: 

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✇ SLA Blog

Arden Academy School Library on Bookseller’s list of top libraries

16 de Julho de 2019, 10:46

School Librarian Emma O’Brien is in touch with her students and this is reflected in the nomination for the Bookseller’s Library of the Year Award 2019

Emma has transformed her school library and is a shining example of a difference a school librarian can make.

Congratulations and good luck to Emma and Arden.

Arden School

✇ SLA Blog

Mentoring opportunity

16 de Julho de 2019, 10:46

Are you an SLA member? Have you been a school librarian for more than 3 years? Want to support a colleague on their journey? 

We are currently looking for SLA members to become mentors for our mentoring scheme. You will be matched with someone in a similar context, and you work the frequency of meetings/method of meeting etc out between you. 

We are particularly looking for secondary school librarians, and if you have knowledge of AR that would be an additional bonus. 

For more information contact Dawn Woods on Dawn[dot]woods[at]sla[dot]org[dot]uk.

✇ SLA Blog

Supporting the Sixth Form Student: St Albans, Hertfordshire, 19 November 2019

15 de Julho de 2019, 22:40

Our course Supporting the Sixth Form Student, run by Sarah Pavey MSc FCLIP, will be held at Beaumont School, Oakwood Drive, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL4 0XB on 19 November 2019. The closing date is 5 November 2019. Bookings received by 8 October 2019 are eligible for a £15 discount.

Key Audience:

Library staff working in secondary schools and FE colleges

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✇ SLA Blog

Copy and Paste Generation: Blandford, Dorset , 26 November 2019

15 de Julho de 2019, 22:40

Our course Copy and Paste Generation, run by Sarah Pavey MSc FCLIP, will be held at Bryanston School, Blandford, Dorset DT11 0PX on 26 November 2019. The closing date is 11 November 2019. Bookings received by 15 October 2019 are eligible for a £15 discount.

Key Audience:

Secondary school library staff and teachers

More Details...

✇ SLA Blog

Supporting Diversity and Inclusion in School Libraries: Ilford, Essex, 12 November 2019

15 de Julho de 2019, 22:40

Our course Supporting Diversity and Inclusion in School Libraries, run by Barbara Band, will be held at Redbridge Central Library, Clements Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 1EA on 12 November 2019. The closing date is 28 October 2019. Bookings received by 1 October 2019 are eligible for a £15 discount.

Key Audience:

Secondary school library staff

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✇ SLA Blog

UKLA Book Prize winners 2019

14 de Julho de 2019, 11:49

UKLA BA Logo 2018 800 351 S C1

 

 

 

 

 

UKLA PR winners 2019

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Winning book titles which enhance learning, plus highly commended titles because of the high quality this year, all chosen by teachers, have been announced in the UKLA book awards.

✇ SLA Blog

Book Award flurry

12 de Julho de 2019, 00:44

The Little Rebels Award celebrates children’s books for readers age 0-12 which promote social equality and social justice. The prize is administered by booksellers Letterbox Library and Housmans Bookshop on behalf of the Alliance of Radical Booksellers.

Last night (10th July), at a ceremony in the wonderful CLPE library, Catherine Johnson was announced as the winner for Freedom from a very strong field.

 

The UKLA book awards - the national book awards which are judged by teachers, will announce their winners on July 12th at the UKLA International Conference, Sheffield Institute of Education, Sheffield Hallam University, 

Shortlists of all categories can be found here:

 

✇ SLA Blog

Live streaming of the International Final of the KLQ

12 de Julho de 2019, 00:44

Live streaming of the International Final of the KLQ 12th July 11 a.m. UK time.

The Kids’ Lit Quiz is an annual literature quiz for students aged 10 – 13 years. Quizzes are held in a dozen countries around the world, with the winning team from each country competing in the final.

This year’s final will be screened on 12th July 11 a.m. UK time.

KLQ Final

 

 

 

On YouTube, search NLB Singapore at 6.00pm (Singapore time) on 12th July 2019.  11am UK TIME

The live stream of KLQ World Final will appear at the top of NLB YouTube page. There is no need for a further search for it.

 

If you can’t find more info on KLQ currently, it will appear when the World Final begins this Friday.

 

The schedule of UK heats next term for the 2020 competition is available here. So start prepping your students now.

✇ SLA Blog

Waterstones Children’s Laureate 2019-21

9 de Julho de 2019, 21:19

At the Waterstones Children’s Laureate announcement event in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at the Globe, author Cressida Cowell has been crowned Waterstones Children's Laureate for 2019-21. 

The role of Children's Laureate is awarded once every two years to an eminent writer or illustrator of children's books to celebrate outstanding achievement in their field.

Cressida has 2 main things she wants to focus on - promoting the awareness that reading is magic, and that it should be available to everyone. Download the poster of her 'to do' list here: https://t.co/FPCaXig4p4?amp=1

Many congratulations to Cressida, and thanks to Lauren Child for a superb job over the last two years.

Ten Childrens Laureates Drawn by Chris Riddell 16x9

✇ SLA Blog

#PrimarySchoolBookClubLIVE with Catherine Doyle

9 de Julho de 2019, 21:19

Your favourite #PrimarySchoolBookClub is going LIVE.

Prim Schl Bk Club

Join your PSBC host Scott '[at]MrEPrimary' Evans as he chats to Catherine Doyle, bestselling author of The Storm Keeper's Island, in a very special event to celebrate the publication of her highly-anticipated sequel The Lost Tide Warriors.

The Storm Keeper's Island was the #PrimarySchoolBookClub selection back in July 2018 and Bloomsbury Children's Books is delighted to partner with PSBC and return to Arranmore for another adventure – this really is an event not to be missed.

Date And Time

Catherine Doyle grew up beside the Atlantic Ocean in the west of Ireland. Her love of reading began with great Irish myths and legends, and fostered in her an ambition to one day write her own. The Storm Keeper’s Island was her debut middle-grade novel, inspired by her real-life ancestral home of Arranmore Island and her many sea-faring ancestors, particularly her grandfather Captain Charles Boyle who inspired the much-loved character of Malachy Boyle. The Storm Keeper's Island, the first book in the Storm Keeper quartet, was a Waterstones Children's Book of the Month; won the Books Are My Bag Readers Award for Middle Grade; was shortlisted for the Irish Book Awards and has been nominated for the Carnegie Medal.

Hope to see you there!

 

✇ SLA Blog

New - Library Learner Quiz Pack

9 de Julho de 2019, 21:19

Carel Press are offering 15% discount off their Library Learner Quiz Pack as an SLA member benefit. 

Carel

 Visit https://www.sla.org.uk/member-benefit-offers.php to find the code needed to claim. (And remind yourself about all the other benefits too)

Ready for the new intake in Sept, this will be an ideal starter.

 
✇ SLA Blog

Summer holiday activities

8 de Julho de 2019, 12:59

Summer holiday activities

For Primaries

 

Summer Reading Challenge

The SRC needs no introduction, and this year’s theme of Space Chase is designed to appeal to all children interested in space. See how many children in your school you can encourage to take part and complete.

 

Book Bingo

An add-on book activity for the Summer to maintain that reading throughout the holidays.

 

Story Museum

The new Museum galleries in Oxford are scheduled to open in March 2020, but there are still activities over the holidays for families to point your parents towards. Plus, as a school you can book now to be one of the first in the country to see the new Museum.

 

For Secondaries

Don’t feel left out of the SRC, as your students can volunteer in public libraries in one of the roles designed to help libraries promote the SRC or listen to children talk about their reading. Contact your local library to find out more.

The Teacher Advisory Panel at the Story Museum would especially like to hear from teachers, teaching assistants or librarians based in secondary schools and sixth form. If you’d like to know more, do email Isy Mead, the Head of Learning. isabella.mead[at]storymuseum.org.uk

 

✇ SLA Blog

CE Blog 2019_7: Highlights of Building Identities

8 de Julho de 2019, 09:24

This month I take a look back at some of the highlights from the SLA/YLG Weekend Course. It was only a few weeks ago, but lots has been happening in the meantime – I’ll give you some of those highlights at the end. Before I start on that, some of you may be aware that we have moved to a new finance system. This has caused a slight delay in some of the invoices reaching you, but things should be flowing again. If you need your invoice urgently and don’t think you’ve had it, or if there’s someone better placed to send it to over the summer holidays, please let us know.

Well, the weekend started as it meant to go on, with Aston Conference Centre looking resplendent in the glorious summer sunshine – the courtyard was a big draw throughout the days, with people eating breakfast and enjoying a late night drink. It really added an extra layer to the weekend, and helped prevent that conference cabin fever that can happen. The exhibitors, who were spread around the courtyard, certainly liked it!

I missed some of the sessions for organisational purposes, but I made sure I was there for Ade’s session. He was the first speaker booked, and I had been looking forward to hearing his talk for a long time! Despite a slight hiccup with the powerpoint (sorry Ade!) he was brilliant, talking about what had got him to this point, and his reading from the book was absolutely excellent – leading to a huge queue for sales and signing!

Nicola Morgan was as brilliant as always, with powerful insight and helpful tips and hints. Her postcards went down well, and are typical of the research and consideration for her audience that Nicola always brings.

The evening was a delight – with Tom Pollock speaking about his new book Heartstream, a delightful ‘Libraries are a magic place’ dinner, and rounded off with an entertaining and honest look at being a micropublisher from Sam Hutchinson of b-small.

Unfortunately I didn’t get to see many of the sessions on the Saturday morning (plus I couldn’t give all the best bits away otherwise you’ll not want to read the round up in the next TSL!) but I did manage to see the lovely video from Karl Newson (who couldn’t be there on the day) and Ross Collins did a fantastic job talking all about their ‘I am a Tiger’ collaboration (on a side note, weren’t the lanyards amazing?!).

After Ross came Natasha Devon – a brilliant and engaging person, who speaks with such passion and thought. The session was fantastic and very thought provoking.

The Saturday evening was celebration time! Watching the videos from the Honour List of the School Librarian of the Year, having the YLG Awards presented, hearing the incomparable Jackie Morris accept her Kate Greenaway Medal and then our after dinner speaker was SLA President Chris Riddell. Much laughter and entertainment was finished off on a positive note – that he does believe there is hope in the next generation, and that we are essential in enabling young people to be the solution.

Sunday morning was another lovely morning with Savita Kalhan talking about her book for the breakfast crowd, and then Anne from National Literacy Trust looking at the stats about school library use which provided some interesting insights!

Holly Bourne’s powerful talk about relationships and her new book brought home to a lot of the audience exactly how important realistic portrayals are – for better and worse, but Holly had clearly put a lot of thought into how to tackle this subject without putting readers at risk.

Unfortunately, the excitement over a restricted number of proof books and a significant signing queue meant that we started late for the rest of session, and never quite managed to catch up.

The SLA AGM, while not a highlight, was important. We discussed the issues the Association is facing, with an income that is continuing to decline and, while we fully appreciate the seriousness of the situation, continuing to reduce our expenditure is going to lead to a ‘race to the bottom’. We cannot advocate, recruit new members, visit branches, or create new partnerships without expenditure in these areas, and without these the Association will fail.

The Trustees took the decision to put forward a proposal to raise membership fees by a small amount - £6 for most members – to give us some financial security going forwards. This will not come into force until April 2020. For this year we are launching a few new projects in September, which we are hopeful will add value to the SLA membership, and bring in new income. We are also looking at other ways we can raise income, as well as curbing expenditure on less important things (though expenditure has tended to be less than anticipated for the past few years).

I hope you’ll understand that this is a reluctant but necessary step – while the SLA has sufficient reserves to cover losses for a while, these won’t last forever and using our savings would also mean we could not use them to do things that will push the sector forward and help change some of the issues we are facing.

And that pretty much rounds up the SLA weekend course. I was really disappointed not to get into the Sunday sessions, and from looking at the evaluation forms I know I missed a treat, but I am really glad that all the delegates (a whooping 174 people!) who attended over the course of the weekend and a fab 41 exhibitors led to a fantastic weekend for all. Thank you to all who came, spoke, organised, or participated in any way.

Since then I have attended a Fake News debate hosted by Britannica Encyclopedia, spoken to teachers and library staff about Great School Libraries, and attended a meeting of the Gloucestershire SLS. I’ve also attended an education research conference in the eastern region, spoken at the CILIP Conference in Manchester and the SLA has celebrated the SLYA Honour List and attended the CLiPPA Awards! So believe me when I say we are more determined than ever to spread awareness of the SLA and the power of school libraries far and wide.

Hope you all have a lovely summer when you get there!

✇ SLA Blog

50th anniversary of Moon Landing

7 de Julho de 2019, 22:46

For those pupils still in school, why not use the last days of term to focus on Space with STEM activities? 

Apollo 50th

On July 16, 1969, three astronauts lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on a journey to the Moon. Four days later Armstrong and Aldrin landed Apollo 11’s lunar module, Eagle, on the Moon’s Sea of Tranquility, becoming the first humans to set foot on the lunar surface.

NASA will celebrate the 50th anniversary and look to the future of space exploration. Details here.

Discovery Diaries are also offering resources here.

If your school is putting on any events, UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres will be pleased to hear about them.

Plus we have a booklist of a few titles to satisfy enquiring minds.  

Space (PDF file, 200 kB)

✇ SLA Blog

The Female Lead Society

7 de Julho de 2019, 22:46

If the success of the women’s football teams have inspired your students, here is an opportunity to present more positive female role models.

The Female Lead is an educational charity with a mission to shine a spotlight on the women who shape our world. Currently, only 7% of world leaders are women but studies show that positive role models can truly affect the futures of young women.

This September The Female Lead Society is being launched which provides resources to run weekly meetings about ambition, careers, confidence and role models. Students will discuss the stories of inspiring women whilst also exploring the larger issues to which these stories relate - gender equality, gender stereotypes and lots more. 
There will be opportunities for students to connect with inspiring role models, attend exclusive events and become part of a strong community who are inspired to find success and fulfilment in their own lives.
If you would like to get involved simply send an email to becky@thefemalelead.com    to say you are interested.  


To receive a free copy of The Female Lead book nominate your school here:
https://www.thefemalelead.com/get-involved


 

✇ SLA Blog

Childnet internet safety Film Competition

4 de Julho de 2019, 10:19

 

Childnet Film announcement (PDF file, 164 kB)

 

 

Each year the Childnet Film Competition invites schools and youth organisations from across the UK to capture their internet safety messages in a short film. The two winning films and four finalists are decided by a panel of industry experts and their films used to educate other young people about online safety and inspire others to use the internet positively and safely.   

Details of 2019 winners can be found on the pdf.

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