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Take Your Partners: School Libraries Building Bridges
Friday 19th - Sunday 21st June 2009
University of Surrey, Guildford
Report | Photos || Presentations | Programme | Sponsors
Report
A return to Guildford and the University of Surrey for the SLA turned into a busy, sociable, informative and enjoyable weekend course for 2009. Delegates were in for a packed programme starting with Jonathan Douglas and his inspirational advocacy of reading and literacy as social capital. This started a packed and varied programme of speakers and workshops.
Keynote speakers- Wendy Cooling Author and consultant
- Jonathan Douglas Director, National Literacy Trust
- Nikki Heath School Librarian of the Year 2008
- Sally Westrope Literacy Co-ordinator, Werneth School, Stockport
- Andrew Fusek Peters and Polly Peters Authors
- Gervase Phinn Author and President of SLA
- Steve Skidmore and Steve Barlow Authors
Delegates, sponsors and exhibitors all commented on the excellent organisation, the buzz at the event and some even went so far as to say the 'best ever SLA course' – so we must try harder next year!!! The optional sessions included much inspirational sharing and good practice - all part of the value delegates take home with them from the weekend.
Our cross-section of wonderful authors included
- Melvin Burgess
- Lucy Christopher
- Gillian Cross
- Sally Nicholls
- Meg Rosoff
- Matt Whyman
- Anna Perera
Sunday morning completed the weekend with a fascinating panel discussion on the development and current interest in graphic novels, with beautiful illustrations to show the books being discussed - facilitated by Walker Books, including contributions from Andi Watson, Tony Lee and Paul Gravett.
Norfolk Children's Book Centre ran the bookshop in their usual efficient way, and provided all the books delegates could possibly want, including titles from our featured authors. Apparently graphic novels were a big seller this year! The large resources exhibition was again much appreciated by delegates. Thanks to all the people who made these two features of our weekend a success.
As always we also owe a huge debt of gratitude to the sponsors, without whom we would not be able to put on such a great weekend course (full details on separate sponsors page).
