In 2010, for the first time, two people were awarded the honour of the SLA School Librarian of the Year. At a celebration at the Mermaid Conference Centre in London on 4 October 2010, M G Harris, author of children's book series The Joshua Files, presented the awards to:

Ginette Doyle, Chair of the Selection committee and Chair of the School Library Association, said:

"Kevin and Duncan come from two completely different schools. Kevin’s school has a higher than average learning support register and more pupils eligible for free school meals than normal. He makes his library fun; he goes beyond the book to entice pupils in and demands that they respect the space so that it has become highly valued. Duncan’s school is more academic and he has ensured that the information literacy ladder he helped to devise is at the heart of lessons, but he, too, makes the Library a fun place to be and engages disaffected readers with his enthusiasm for other things than just the Library. Two exceptional librarians, working in different ways to bring their libraries into the heart of the school and learning: we could not decide between them. They are not joint winners, but each deserves the accolade of SLA School Librarian of the Year.

The SLA School Librarian of the Year Award celebrates the essential work that school librarians are doing at a time when school libraries are being closed at an alarming rate. We were impressed by the passion and dedication of the librarians we visited and the innovative and inspirational ways in which they bring books and an enthusiasm for learning into the heart of the school and into the lives of children. We had a hard job selecting a short list and feel that everyone on the Honour list should be celebrated."

The 2010 SLYA Honour List

Sue Bastone

Licensed Victuallers'

School, Ascot

Rebecca Jones

Malvern St James

School, Malvern,

Worcestershire

Shiona Lawson

Rothesay Academy,

Isle of Bute

Denise Reed

Hurst Prep School

Hurstpierpoint,

West Sussex

Kevin Sheehan

Offerton School,

Stockport

Duncan Wright

Stewart's Melville

College, Edinburgh

Full Press Release

SLYA 2010 Winner Announcement Press Release

PDF file, 238 KB

Requires Adobe Reader

Photos from the Award Ceremony

Photos to appear here soon!

Comments from our Sponsors

Speech given at the Award Ceremony by Alan Hurcombe, Group MD, Scholastic UK (PDF file, 26 kB)

Remarks made at the Award Ceremony by Iain Dunbar, Director of Product and Partner Development, Softlink (PDF file, 18 kB)

Myles Rose, Director of Softlink, commented:

"Softlink is extremely proud to be associated with supporting the School Librarian of the Year Award for the third successive year. We recognise the important contribution Librarians make to schools throughout the UK, inspiring the development of student literacy whilst keeping their libraries at the heart of learning."

Alan Hurcombe, Group MD Scholastic UK, said:

"We are delighted to be sponsoring the School Librarian of the Year Award 2011. Helping schools to support their librarians and promote the love of reading is a key part of what we do and this award gives us the opportunity to celebrate and recognise the best work that happens in our schools on a daily basis. Very many congratulations to the librarians who have made it to this year’s Honour list."

About the Award

The School Library Association created this Award in 2004 in response to the need for recognition of the excellent work that is carried out in school libraries every day, and to highlight best practice through celebrating those whose work is outstanding. Nominees do not need to be members of the SLA, and may be from any phase of education.

Previous Years’ Awards

• 2009 (Lucy Bakewell)
• 2008 (Nikki Heath)
• 2007 (Ingrid Hopson)
• 2006 (Anne-Marie Tarter)
• 2005 (Anne Robinson)

Nominations for 2011 Award

Nominations for School Librarian of the Year 2011 opened in early September 2010. Nomination forms were included in the Autumn 2010 issue of The School Librarian and are available to download in PDF format here on the website.

Sponsors

Sponsors for the Award in 2010 are Softlink, Scholastic and Hachette Children's Books. The SLA is very grateful to all of these sponsors, without whom the Award could not continue in its current format.

Scholastic
http://www.scholastic.co.uk/

Softlink
http://www.softlink.co.uk/

Hachette
http://www.hachettechildrens.co.uk/