It seems strange to be back in the office after a very busy fortnight!  The calm and quiet of Wanborough is a welcome change after a fortnight on the road with SLA! 

Recent visits to Belfast and Dublin to meet SLANI and SLARI members were very successful - it is always a delight to meet members face to face and talk about the issues affecting school libraries wherever they are - and I was made very welcome in both places - thank you!  In Belfast I had the pleasure of attending the Northern Ireland Drewett Book Award and hearing many school students talking enthusiastically about their favourite books or acting out scenes from them - a lovely afternoon to be a part of.

Whilst in Dublin I also took the opportunity to meet with Children's Books Ireland - who had just announced the shortlist for the Bisto Book of the Year Awards - and the shadowing scheme that goes alongside it.  I also had chance to see the programme for the CBI Conference in May - check out the website for more details.

From Dublin I then went on to the LILAC conference in Limerick organised by the CSG Information Literacy Group - a really useful and successful conference - watch out on their website for all the presentations.

Tricia Adams