Our Advisory Panel

Sue Bastone - Chair

Sue retired from school libraries in 2018 after 30 years in the sector. Since then, she has continued to lead an active professional life – not least as trustee, Vice Chair and Chair of the SLA. She continues to advise, review and share best practice on school libraries. She is also a trustee of World Book Day.

Lucy Chambers

Lucy spent 12 years as a primary school librarian for Tower Hamlets SLS and sat on the CILIP SLG Committee. She writes, reviews books, was a judge on book awards and the children's coordinator for the Chiswick Book Festival. She is an advisor for the charity Giveabook and an Oxfam Books volunteer.

Megan Dalton

Megan is a library and literacy coordinator from the North West. She has a BA Hons degree in English Literature and Creative Writing, and experience in librarianship and digital marketing. She has worked in the education sector in various roles since 2017, with seven years of experience in school libraries.

Graham Gardner

Following a career spanning academic research, advocacy, writing and bookselling, Graham became a secondary school librarian in 2009. Through research and extensive experience within both the private and state sectors, he has developed a keen interest in improving approaches to teaching information literacy so that they are fit for purpose.

Jenny Griffiths

Jenny has worked in school libraries for 13 years. She was the inaugural winner of the SLA Primary School Librarian of the Year Award in 2022 and is a recipient of the CILIP 125 Medal. Jenny was a judge for the SLA Information Book Award from 2022-2025 and is currently a judge for The Diverse Book Awards. She also serves on the Youth Libraries Group London committee.

Katie Hill

With a background in languages teaching, lecturing, and materials writing, Katie has spent over two decades as a librarian in Surrey secondary schools. She is a passionate advocate for reading and libraries.

Lesley Martin

Lesley has spent her career in school libraries, working with children aged three to 18. She was on the board of trustees for the School Library Association for many years, serving as Chair from 2018 to 2020. Additionally, she was a Carnegie Greenaway judge 2009-2010, and one of the inaugural judges for the SLA Information Book Award.

Lizzy Palmer

Lizzy has been working in education for over 20 years. After 18 years in primary schools as a class teacher, she is now a secondary school librarian and literacy co-ordinator. Lizzy is passionate about reading in all forms and loves sharing her enthusiasm with pupils.

Morwenna Rice

Morwenna is Cornish born and bred and lives in beautiful West Cornwall with her partner, two young children and two dogs. She is very creative and loves to craft displays to keep her library vibrant and exciting – as well as creating extravagant World Book Day costumes!

Claire Scothern

Claire is Head of Library Services at Trent College, with 14 years’ experience creating welcoming spaces that support young people’s wellbeing. With a background in public and university libraries, and as organiser of a community book club, she brings creativity and collaboration to help shape the SLA’s future.

Ella Taylor

Ella is currently a Sixth Form librarian, having previously worked in public libraries, specifically children's services, after gaining her MA in Library and Information Studies from UCL. She enjoys the combination of academic challenge and book talk which her current role with A Level students brings her.

Lauren Thow

Lauren has over 20 years' experience as a school librarian and eight years as a middle school guidance tutor. A finalist for the School Librarian of the Year award, she is passionate about promoting wellbeing and reading for pleasure through the school library.