New Consultants Service

This is a new service from SLA to help schools who may need help or advice locally.  In most cases we would advocate you contact your local schools library service but where these do not exist an independent consultant may be an alternative.  Current school library services are listed here. The SLA will provide links to consultants notified to us.

The inclusion of a consultant here does not indicate any recommendation or approval from the SLA - each school must take up references as appropriate.

Consultants: To advertise your services here please contact consultants(at)sla.org.uk

N.B. There is a small fee for this service.

Geoff Dubber

Geoff Dubber has 40 + years teaching, management, library and advisory experience in and with schools, both secondary and primary. He was part of an LEA advisory team for seven years chiefly with a library development/information literacy brief. Currently Past Chair of the SLA (2010 – 2012) & a judge on the SLA/DEMCO School Library Design Award, he chaired the SLA School Librarian of the Year Panel (2006 – 2008), has been a member of the SLA Board for 19 years and Publications Co-ordinator for 16+ years. He writes or co-authors many of the SLA’s Guidelines and occasionally writes and reviews for the School Librarian. He is a freelance consultant/trainer offering training courses and advice to School Library Services, schools, the SLA, self-help groups and occasionally to public library authorities across the UK and wider on the curriculum use of primary and secondary school libraries and library management issues.

Please find more information about Geoff and his contact details at http://www.geoffdubber.co.uk/

Bev Humphrey

Bev Humphrey is now Literacy, School libraries and Technology Consultant after spending 10 years as a school librarian, additionally fulfilling the role of learning gateway coordinator for two years. She worked in an all boys secondary school in South East London and during this time developed a passion for encouraging her students to read and write for pleasure, often using online media to do so. She was given a Reading Hero Award by the Literacy Trust at the end of the National Year of Reading for her work during the year and her international collaborative writing project, the Write Path was shortlisted for a Times Educational Supplement New Literacy Initiative Award in 2009 and has twice been shortlisted for a Lemos and Crane Literacy Award. Bev also worked with the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust as a Lead Practitioner for literacy. As a consultant Bev has presented at seminars and conferences all over the country for E2BN, Renaissance Learning, CILIP, SLG and SLA amongst others. Bev delivers librarian training/support days in schools, presents courses for staff on using new technologies across the curriculum but especially for literacy and on a variety of other subjects including ways to focus on reading in schools, leads writing workshops with students using web 2.0 technologies and is also a trainer for Renaissance Learning as well as working closely with authors and publishers.Bev is very happy to travel to bookings, and is very flexible about the size of groups she will train. She still runs the Write Path each year and is happy to accept more schools for each October event. A self-confessed geek, Bev lives much of her life online and loves using exciting new technology as a motivator for young people’s learning. She is at her happiest when enlightening colleagues in education about the possibilities presented by web 2.0 applications and social networking or when she is working with school librarians who are of course her favourite people!

Please find more information about Bev and her contact details at www.bevhumphrey.com 

Alec Williams

A former SLA Chair, Alec Williams has many years’ experience in public and school library services, in Chester, Lancashire, Calderdale and Leeds. He was awarded Honorary Membership of the Youth Libraries Group in 1999, and now works independently, providing training, consultancy, public speaking and performance.  He is involved nationally with libraries and children’s books (e.g. National Literacy Trust work), and internationally (e.g. Work with the British Council and IFLA).  His training work includes over 25 local authority clients; 3 universities where he runs workshops; several SLA branches; and others; he's frequently able to combine courses with nearby school visits, reducing costs for all.  Consultancy includes work for the British Council, along with work for VRH, and individual schools.  Course topics include Developing a Reading Culture, Boys Reading, Library Design and Special Needs.  Recent speaking engagements include several Early Years Conferences, and chairing local book award events.

Please find more information about Alec and his contact details at www.alecwilliams.co.uk