CILIP have launched a new campaign which aims to promote the variety of good work done by school libraries and school library services and the positive contribution they make to children and young people across the UK. To get involved, follow this link: www.cilip.org.uk/get-involved/shout-about/pages/default.aspx

SLA Standards for Secondary School Libraries

The School Library Association has produced a new set of standards for secondary school libraries. These standards cover a range of important issues, including library staffing, the status of the school librarian, library space, stock and budgets. To download the standards please visit the SLA website.

DEMOS report published about the "digital fluency" of young people

A new report called "Truth, Lies and the Internet" has been published by the thinktank DEMOS looking at the "digital fluency" skills of young people in schools in the UK. It concludes that the majority of young people do not have the required skills to deal with the vast swathes of information available on the Internet, and that schools need to do more to address this. To read the report click here.

LSE's recommended Spring Term reads

Click here to check out the latest reviews for our favourite fiction books for the new term, from Foundation Stage up to 16+.

New librarian at LSE

We are delighted to announce that a new librarian has joined the team at Library Services for Education. Victoria Barton is on a six month secondment with us from Leicestershire Library Services until April 2012.

Carnegie/Greenaway 2012 nominations

Following a recent meeting involving staff from Leicestershire Library Services, Library Services for Education and local schools four books were chosen to be nominated for next year's Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals. The two Carnegie titles were "A Monster Calls" by this year's winner, Patrick Ness, and "The Midnight Zoo" by Sonya Hartnett. The two Kate Greenaway nominees were "Doodleday" by Ross Collins and "Three by the Sea" by Mini Grey. The national longlists of recommendations can be viewed on the official Carnegie Greenaway website. The national shortlists will be announced in late March 2012.

Julia Donaldson is the new Children's Laureate

The prolific and popular Julia Donaldson has been appointed the seventh Children's Laurate. She will hold the position for two years until the summer of 2013. To read more about Julia and what she hopes to acheive as the Children's Laureate go to the official website.

Student's guide to copyright available for download from the CLA

The Copyright Licensing Agency has produced a very useful guide to copyright, targeted at secondary school students. It covers the reasons why copyright is important and the most common do's and don'ts for students. To download your own copy of the guide please click here.

New American research shows clear benefits of school libraries

New research conducted by Mansfield University in Pennsylvania shows unequivocally that "schools that support their library programs give their students a better chance to succeed." Twenty three studies conducted in the US and Canada were analysed. For a succinct summary of the research click here or for a more detailed analysis go to the University's website.

Authors collaborate on blog for teenage girls

Girls Heart Books is a new blog aimed at girls aged 10-14. It features posts from many different writers for this audience, including Cathy Cassidy, Cathy Hopkins, Karen McCombie, and Joanna Kenrick. Take a look for yourself at http://girlsheartbooks.com.

"Reading 4 Pleasure" booklet produced by NUT

The National Union of Teachers has produced an invaluable guide for teachers showing them how to effectively promote and encourage reading for pleasure. It outlines the research that shows the postiive impact reading for pleasure has on pupil attainment and enjoyment at school, and gives practical advice about making it work with your class. Additional online resources are also available. To download the booklet (PDF, 1.39 MB) click here.

Statement released by CILIP: "School Libraries: A Right"

"School Libraries: A Right" is a new statement from the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) on the role and value of school libraries. It sets out the core entitlements that every child, school's teaching team and wider school community should expect from their school library. It provides the case for a properly resourced, professionally staffed school library. The statement was drawn up by CILIP’s School and Youth Libraries Groups as part of their work in support of the Making School Libraries Statutory campaign. To download a copy of the statement click here.

School Library Commission report published

The School Library Commission, a joint initiative between the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council and the National Literacy Trust, has published a report entitled "School Libraries: A plan for improvement". This followed a consultation period earlier in the year when the Commission received evidence from a variety of schools and other interested parties around the country, including Library Services for Education. To download the full report and a variety of evidence go to www.literacytrust.org.uk/policy/nlt_policy/school_library_commission

CILIP school libraries report published

Following a national online survey of school libraries commissioned by the School Libraries Group of CILIP a report has now been published, entitled "School libraries in the UK: a worthwhile past, a difficult present - and a transformed future?". To read the executive report or the full report click here.

Page Last Updated: 17 January 2012