Our History

Charity

The School Library Association is a registered charity in England and Scotland. The trustees of the charity and are voted in by the membership. Trustees give their free time and work hard to ensure the SLA is meeting its strategic aims and is well run. 

In the last 60 years the Association has had only six chief executives: Helen Gooch, Miriam Curtis, Valerie Fea, Kathy Lemaire, Tricia Adams and our current CEO, Alison Tarrant. 

 

Technology

In 1986 the office installed its first computer, an Amstrad PCW 8512, so that membership could be computerised.

Our systems have been upgraded a number of times since then to enable us to maintain our member information and offer a fast and secure service to our members across the UK and worldwide.

From the 1990s the website has become an important tool in spreading advice and support to school library staff and has been continually improved to make it more attractive and user-friendly.

Support

The SLA's Branches exist because of dedicated individuals who give their time to run them. Branches are supported by grants from the SLA head office and they run training days, social events and activities to support school library staff within their areas. From a high in 1989 when we had 28 active branches to a low in 1997, when just 15 branches existed, the branches provide support at a local level. Today we have 20 regional branches plus national branches in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

In 2003 the SLA introduced the post of Advisory Librarian to assist the Chief Executive in handling over 1,000 requests for advice every year. In 2018 this became our Member Development Librarian role. 

Identity

1999 saw the introduction of the Association's current logo and in 2000 we moved to Lotmead Business Village, converted farm buildings near Swindon. In February 2012 we moved into our new modern premises at Kembrey Park in Swindon.

2019 saw a major update to our website to make it more attractive and user-friendly and make sure we can continue to provide a high level of information and advice to our members.

 

Journal

The School Librarian is the official journal of the School Library Association. Published since 1937, it has, over the years, proved itself to be essential reading for everyone connected with education and librarianship, and its high editorial standard ensures it is kept as a reference source.

Volume 1, number 1 of The School Librarian appeared in March 1937, a small format journal including, as now, both professional articles and book reviews.

1969 became the first year of four issues annually and it received a new house style in 1988 and again in 2008. The information technology reviews section first appeared in 1997 and has since then moved on to become our digital section. 

The journal is free to members, and is available to institutional subscribers.

Education

An important part of the SLA's mission is to publish a wide range  of books and articles on a vast number of topics designed to help SLA members design, build and maintain a vibrant and effective school library provision, filling it with appropriate resources. Our Guidelines series of books was introduced in 1990, with the first three titles all being best sellers; now there are a broad range of Guidelines for primary, secondary and sixth form, covering such diverse subjects as budgeting, design, information literacy and many more.