Weekend Course 2009: Sponsors

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

Softlink Europe Logo Softlink is, once again, pleased to sponsor this year's SLA Weekend Course. Softlink is a major provider of library automation software to Primary and Secondary Schools in the UK, with thousands of schools using either Alice or the versatile, web-based system, Oliver.

Various forms of new technology are finding their way into Schools and Softlink remains at the forefront, integrating the library with both Learning Environments and Administration systems and providing unique Catalogue Enrichment options. We hope that you will be able to attend the SLA Weekend Course, and we look forward to showing you some of these new innovations at this important event.

The School Library Association gratefully acknowledges sponsorship from Softlink Europe for the printing of the programme for the Weekend Course 2009.

Andersen Press http://www.andersenpress.co.uk/

Andersen Press Logo Melvin Burgess's eagerly awaited new novel, called Nicholas Dane, published by Andersen Press, takes the story of Oliver Twist and places it in the brutal children's homes of 1980s England. Don't miss this chance to hear him talk about why Dickens is such an influence on him.

The Chicken House http://www.doublecluck.com/

Chicken House Logo Barry Cunningham, Publisher and MD of Chicken House, specialises in spotting the brightest and best emerging new talent. Here he introduces Lucy Christopher, author of the compelling Stolen, the story of a girl kidnapped and held prisoner by the charismatic and disturbed young man who says he loves her.

Oxford Children's Books http://www.oxfordchildrens.co.uk/

Oxford Logo Oxford Children's Books are once again thrilled to be involved with the SLA and are delighted to bring Carnegie Medal-winning Gillian Cross to the 2009 Weekend course. We are proud to be giving a mesmerizing new look to her best-selling Demon Headmaster series in 2009. Oxford Children's Books has something for every child with a children's list that includes picture books, fiction, poetry, home learning, dictionaries and non-fiction. Our list includes many award-winning authors, as well as debut authors and spectacular illustrators.

We hope you enjoy the weekend and do come along to hear Gillian.

Puffin http://www.puffin.co.uk/

Puffin Logo Puffin Books is delighted to bring Carnegie Medal-winning Meg Rosoff to the 2009 SLA Weekend Course. This is a great opportunity to hear the award-winning writer talk about the various collaborations that have helped make her novels so popular, including other writers, editors, publicists, teachers and librarians. Also a chance to have a sneak preview of her latest novel, The Bride's Farewell, due for publication in September 2009.

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

Scholastic Logo Scholastic UK Ltd are delighted to be sponsoring the School Librarian of the Year Award 2009. Helping schools to support their librarians and promotethe love of reading is a key part of what we do. As a distributor of children's books through our Book Clubs and Book Fairs, Scholastic is the biggest children's specialist bookseller in the UK and Ireland, and last year got 5 million books into the hands of children, and gave £9 million to schools to spend on books. Alongside this, Scholastic Children's Books publishes a wide range of books for all ages, including best-sellers and award-winners such as the Horrible Histories series and Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. Scholastic Education publishes print and electronic resources for teachers, offering professional and classroom support with inspiration for their lessons through its website; through its range of popular teacher magazines including Junior Education PLUS; and through its teacher’s resource books.

Walker Books http://www.walkerbooks.co.uk/

Walker Books Logo Walker Books is delighted to introduce Feather and Bone, the first in a strange and sinister series by Lazlo Strangolov. Lazlo has been living in a Transylvanian underground bunker since the dawn of the millennium and therefore author Matt Whyman - childhood friend of Lazlo - has agreed to act on his behalf and will be talking about this chilling new series over tea on Saturday. On Sunday we are proud to present our diverse range of graphic novels, introducing Andi Watson, author of Glister; Tony Lee, author of Outlaw: The Legend of Robin Hood and also adaptor of the Anthony Horowitz Power of Five series; and Paul Gravett, author of Graphic Novels: Stories to Change Your Life, journalist, lecturer and broadcaster, who has worked in comics publishing and promotion for over twenty years. We look forward to meeting you all over the weekend.