2018 Pupil Library Assistant of the Year Award

“A library is the beating heart of any school, and these pupils set the rhythm.”

Steve Cole, Children’s author and guest judge

On Friday March 16^th, young pupil library assistants, authors and librarians will gather in Westminster to hear the announcement for the 2018 Pupil Library Assistant of the Year Award. This national award celebrates the extraordinary work that pupils do to support their school libraries.

Open to pupils who assist in school libraries across the UK, the award recognises the impact of their work on their school and its library and equally the value the school library adds to the children’s lives. Entries are judged by a panel of leading figures from the children’s book world and the school library community.

Eight finalists were selected from a very strong field of nominations from school librarians across the UK. The winner will be announced by Carnegie Medal winning author, Tanya Landman at a special ceremony on Friday 16^th March at Portcullis House, Westminster.

Barbara Band, Chair of the Judging Panel and founder of the award said “Week after week many students support the libraries in their schools by giving of their time and effort. Sadly, this is too often unrecognised and unrewarded. Yet these students are not only helping to create a lively and effective library that responds to the needs of its users, they are also gaining valuable skills and experience in the process. This award was created to recognise that work and also to highlight the unique synergy that occurs when a pupil becomes a library assistant.”

Caroline Roche, Chair of the CILIP School Libraries Group said “The work that pupil library assistants s do is invaluable in their schools.  Many school librarians are lone workers and therefore rely heavily on assistance from pupil library assistants during busy periods.  But, more than that, many of these pupils enrich their libraries: recommending books, talking to their peers, creating newsletters, contributing to blogs, helping create displays - all the extras which can make a library vibrant and interesting. All of this enriches not only the library, but adds to their personal development.  SLG thoroughly endorses this Award.”

Alison Tarrant, Director of the School Library Association said: “I have seen first-hand the benefits that pupil library assistants can bring to a library. This award is incredibly important as it recognises the achievements made by these outstanding library helpers, and showcases exactly how much students can achieve when given the opportunity and support. This process uncovers initiative, confidence and the beginning of a work ethic: all things which are essential for a fulfilling work life.”

Recognising the valued assistance of pupils who help within their school libraries, the award is sponsored by The Worshipful Company of Arbitrators; Authors Aloud UK, a company specialising in organising author visits; EES for Schools, an organisation that provides a range of specialist education services; leading children’s publisher, Macmillan Children’s Books; and MLS, a company that produces high specification library systems for schools. The award’s logo was specially designed by Children’s Laureate, Chris Riddell.

The award is organised by a panel consisting of members of the School Library Association, the CILIP School Libraries Group, Authors Aloud UK, EES, and the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP).

Judging Panel 2018

Steve Cole – Children’s author – Special Guest judge 2018

Sufiya Ahmed -  YA author

Barbara Band – Former CILIP President and School Library Consultant

Elizabeth Bentley – CILIP SLG Committee member and School Librarian

Annie Everall – Director, Authors Aloud UK and CILIP SLG Committee member
Dawn Finch – Children’s author and CILIP Trustee

Sally Harrison – Principal Library Advisor, EES for Schools

For more information please see the Pupil Library Assistant of the Year website and use the contact form to drop us a line.

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