Speakers' Corner at Simon Balle School is the latest in our "Voices" series of shorter publications from a personal perspective.

Following the demands of the National Curriculum ("Spoken Language - pupils should be taught to speak clearly and convey ideas confidently"), here is a way to put the library centre stage in this essential process.

Every Friday lunchtime Simon Balle School library hosts invited an invited guest speaker, perhaps ex-student, member of school staff or more often now a volunteer student who, using a variety of formats, talks on a topic of their interest followed by a short question and answer session. The initial small trial of Speakers' Corner has gone from strength to strength, raising the profile of the library and its staff and developing the interests, self-confidence and knowledge of speakers and listeners alike.

Speakers' Corner by Janet Syme (ISBN 9781903446881) is an excellent case study of getting the library involved in this important aspect of literacy - available now.