The Peter Usborne Primary School Library of the Year Award recognises teams that work together to ensure their school library positively impacts all the pupils in their primary school. Previously known as Primary School Librarian of the Year, this award now recognises the whole team rather than one individual.

This Award is open to all schools in the UK with a dedicated library for primary aged children (this could be junior, middle, infants or all primary ages). 

Latest News

Bloomsbury Publishing announced as SLYA Sponsor

Bloomsbury Publishing has come on board as sponsor of the Secondary School Librarian of the Year Award

Previous Winners

Key Dates for 2026

  • Finalists announced - September 2026
  • Winners ceremony - November 2026

The Award

This award showcases how dedicated librarians, strong leadership support, and whole-school community engagement can transform primary school libraries into vibrant reading hubs that engage pupils from a young age and create measurable impact.

 

 

 

Sponsorship

Through Usborne’s sponsorship, this award recognises and continues founder and publisher Peter Usborne's lifetime commitment to literacy.

Nicola Usborne, Managing Director of Usborne said: "We are so pleased to be sponsors of this award and to celebrate the knowledgeable and committed staff and innovative spaces that give children vital access to books.” 

 

Librarian Interview

Led by Verity Robinson, Mangotsfield C of E Primary School Library won the Peter Usborne Primary School Library of the Year 2025. Here, Verity tells ReadingZone about her library and what makes it stand out.

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Fostering a love of reading doesn't happen overnight. Building a culture of reading for pleasure is a long-term commitment and requires a whole community to get on board!

Librarian Interview

In this Q&A with LoveReading, Verity Robinson shares how listening to pupil voice, championing inclusion and embedding reading routines can change not just a library space, but a school’s reading culture.

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Training

The School Library Association offers a wide range of on demand and real time training to enhance the personal and professional development of everyone who works in school libraries.

  

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