Blog
Information Book Award: 'I truly and believe that information books have never been more important.'
Author and winner of the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Information Books 2021, Anita Ganeri, discusses the importance writing non-fiction ahead of the opening of our Children's Choice Book Club
Author Corner: 'As a writer I am always trying to recapture the magic that I first discovered in libraries'
Skye McKenna discusses her debut book 'Hedgewitch' and the inspiration behind it in the first post of our brand new blog series called Author Corner.
Softlink/SLA survey: How do you get the best from eBooks?
With some schools still reporting a lack of uptake or interest in e-books, we explore some of the issues surrounding e-books in schools.
SLA champions school libraries at the House of Commons
As part of the celebrations for the SLA's 85th anniversary, Justin Tomlinson MP hosted a roundtable on the ways that school libraries can be a part of the solution to the issues we are facing today
85th Anniversary: Decades of SLA awards
Chris Routh, long-time judge of the Information Book Award, and Geoff Dubber, past chair the School Librarian of the Year Award, look back at their time being involved with SLA's awards.
The differing impacts of COVID - a blog from the Softlink/SLA school libraries survey
This blog uses the results of the Softlink/SLA survey to uncover the impact of COVID
Innovation at Accessit Library
As part of the lead up to our Weekend Course, headline sponsor Accessit's Jen Winn shares her experience of evaluating and choosing Accessit for her school and the journey thereafter
Delving Deep into the Memory: Exploiting Our Inner Resources
Dr Andrew Shenton explores ways to exploit our own memories of successful activities we experienced as students when teaching information literacy.
Next Steps for Tackling Fake News and Improving Media Literacy
SLA Patron and Professor of Media and Education at Bournemouth University Julian McDougall attended a Westminster Forum event which looked at how fake news can be confronted and how media literacy can be improved.
Insights to an SLS: From Box to Shelf – Creating a New Primary School Library
Pat Lipinski from Gloucestershire Schools Library Service tells us about one of their recent projects.
85th Anniversary: Two decades and more of SLA Publications
Geoff Dubber, previous Publications Co-ordinator and past SLA Chair, remembers his time managing SLA's Publications
Why Children’s Books Shouldn’t Be Sanitized
Alison Tarrant, Chief Executive of the School Library Association (SLA) stresses why we must stand up against censorship
'Having credible book recommendations is vital for parents'
Vivek Govil, Managing Director, UK Education and Education Services at Oxford University Press discusses new research showing parents tend to read the books they loved when little to their own children
Forward into the future - our new five year strategy
In this blog, Sue Bastone, Chair of the Trustees, discusses our strategy and our plans for the future.
5 things you should know about School Library Services
Schools Library Services (SLSs) across the country exist to help schools. In this new blog series we uncover more around how SLS's can support teachers and library staff, starting with Val Sawyer, Principal Librarian at Nottinghamshire's Education Library Service.
‘Racism, prejudice, extreme views and dangerous leaders are not a thing of the past’
With Holocaust Memorial Day coming up at the end of this month, author Liz Kessler discusses the importance of books in helping change our society for the better.
'School Libraries' versatile nature places them at the heart of the learning experience'
Founder of Abercorn School, Andrea Greystoke, speaks to the School Library Association about the vital role school libraries play in education.
Annual Reports: why so important?
Annual reports may not be the highlight of your year, but they are the key to unlocking engagement
Celebrating the facts in fiction for Non-Fiction November
Author Amy Raphael writes about the joy of using facts in her books
COP26: Virtual Book Showcase For Climate Change
Free climate change resources are available to schools during COP26 thanks to a publisher partnership
IBA Spotlight: Jane Wilsher and Maggie Li
Meet the creators of 'What Do Scientists Do All Day?'
Update from the SLA AGM: SLA Annual Report 2020-21
Here is a blog version of the Chair's report from the SLA AGM for those who couldn't attend. After the AGM Alison Tarrant, CEO, shared some insights from the Member Survey, and these will follow in due course.
The Mark Shvidler Library
Daphne O'Connell, Development Director at Summer Fields school in Oxford, writes about the school's newly refurbished library
Back to Basics After the Pandemic
Rebecca Henry shares her tips for how fellow librarians can help support pupils’ learning in a post pandemic world
‘It’s at challenging times like these that stories allow us to escape’
The Story Museum presents a new exhibition designed to offer hope in the pandemic through creativity, imagination and play.
Books have provided escapism for children over the past year – we must continue to encourage reading enjoyment
Developing a reading culture during the pandemic for all pupils
'Football is more than a game, it’s also about people and stories'
The SLA talk to Marcus Rashford’s co author of 'You Are a Champion: How To Be the Best You Can Be'
Past & Present: Poetry that answers back
Poetry Society Teacher Trailblazer Gareth Ellis on how to inspire the next generation of young poets
Development and Discussion 2020: There are many paths to poetry, choose the one you enjoy
Gareth Ellis is Library Manager at Whitley Bay High School, North Tyneside. Gareth has been selected by The Poetry Society as a Teacher Trailblazer after being nominated by his students for helping to inspire writing, reading and performing poetry across the school.
CE Blog 2020 5: A new year; a new challenge
This year’s return to school hasn’t been like any other in living memory.
Development and Discussion 2020: 500 Words – shedding light on children’s language
Helen Freeman takes us on a journey of 500 words, and plans for the future.
Annual Reports: why so important?
Annual reports may not be the highlight of your year, but they are the key to unlocking engagement
Development and Discussion 2020 – How can digital education platforms enhance pupils’ experience of the library?
Varied Voices 5: Looking Forward Even Though It's Impossible
Honestly, I have no idea what to write for this blog.
CE Blog 4: Changes and implications due to COVID-19
Alison summarises the changes and implications that COVID-19 has caused to the SLA, and how we're working to support the sector.
Varied Voices 2020 4: Asha and the Spirit Bird, blog by Jasbinder Bilan
Jasbinder Bilan talks about her writing process for the Varied Voices blog.
Discussion and Development 2020 2: As we begin, so shall we go, by Darryl Toerien
Guest post by Darryl Toerien
CE Blog 2020 3: Research and Insights
There have been a few useful and interesting research reports revealed recently so I thought I’d take this opportunity to have a look through them, and highlight some of the bits I found personally interesting.
Information and digital literacy – richer through collaboration (Accessit)
Guest post by Accessit Library
Varied Voices 2020 3: Being an Author: Lessons I Have Learnt
Pooja Puri talks about her writing process for the Varied Voices blog.
CEO 2020 1: The power of reading
Reading is a powerful thing – many of us know this, and yet it can be something that we take for granted. The power of reading, to illustrate, move, change a thought process or perspective. The wonder of building a unique connection between two brains and leaving an imprint..
Varied Voices 2020 2: Being a Storyteller
Rashmi Sirdeshpande talk about her writing process for the Varied Voices blog.
CE Blog 2019 11: Highlights from 2019
Alison reflects on 2019; sharing the many highlights from a busy year in the SLA office
Books for Christmas
This annual blog has become something of a tradition; our Book Reviews Editor highlights the lovely new Christmas themed books currently available for seasonal storytelling or gifting! Happy Christmas and Happy Reading from your Book Reviews Editor!
CEO Blog 2019 10: Scottish Takeover: Vibrant Libraries, Thriving Schools
It's a CEO takeover! Pamela Tulloch, Chief Executive Officer of the Scottish Library and Information Council talks about her work on behalf of Scottish school libraries