For immediate release | October 13, 2022

A beginner's guide to school librarianship

CHICAGO — While there are numerous resources available that detail how to improve your school library once it is up and running, there is a dearth of books dealing with the absolute basics in a practical manner, looking at the role from the first day. Published by Facet Publishing and available through the ALA Store, “Creating a School Library with Impact: A Beginners Guide” is a UK-focused introductory manual for anyone entering or looking to enter the exciting world of school librarianship in primary or secondary school settings. It provides readers with everything they need to know and understand from day one, including author visits, social media, reading schemes, information literacy, evaluating your library, and the physical layout of your room. Authors Caroline Roche, Barbara Band, Nick Cavender, Lucy Chambers, Sarah Pavey, Annie Everall, and Ellen Krajewski also address such timely topics as information and digital literacy, using technology to enhance the library experience, and EDI in the school library.

Roche has been a school librarian for over 25 years, working in both the state and independent sectors. She is currently the Chair of CILIP's School Libraries Group and co-Chair of the Great School Libraries Campaign. Band is a Chartered librarian with over 35 years' experience working in school libraries. She now offers a consultancy service with advice, support, and training on all aspects of school librarianship. She is currently treasurer of CILIP's School Library Group and Vice Chair of the Great School Libraries Campaign. Cavender has been a school librarian for 15 years, having previously spent over a decade in the public library sector. Currently he is the librarian and extended projects coordinator at Rickmansworth School in Hertfordshire where he is a keen advocate of digital literacy skills. He is treasurer of Herts SLA and sits on the CILIP SLG committee as Vice Chair. After many years as a primary school librarian and a former member of CILIP's School Libraries Group committee, Chambers now concentrates on children's books promotion and reviewing, writing about primary school librarianship, coordinating children's events and the children's poetry competition for the Chiswick Book Festival, and advising on setting up, resourcing, and managing primary school libraries. Pavey has worked as a school librarian for over 20 years and now has her own education training and consultancy business SP4IL. She is an established author and regular speaker at conferences for both school libraries and on wider education issues. She holds fellowship of CILIP and the Royal Society of Arts. She is a committee member of SLG and ILG within CILIP. Her training courses, both home and abroad, on a range of topics are practical and acclaimed for being rooted in theory. Everall OBE is Director of Authors Aloud UK, an agency organizing author tours and visits to schools. A qualified librarian of over 40 years, she worked for Birmingham and Derbyshire Libraries. She is the Conference and Training Manager for the CILIP School Libraries Group, and the Association of Senior Children's and Education Librarians (ASCEL). Krajewski worked in school and college libraries for 18 years. She has been a judge for the CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals and was Chair of Judges for the 2021 Medals. She served three years on the School Library Association Board, five years as Secretary to CILIP's School Libraries Group, and is currently Chair of YLG Eastern and Herts SLA.

Facet Publishing, the commercial publishing and bookselling arm of CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, is the leading publisher of books for library and information professionals worldwide. Many book retailers and distributors are experiencing service disruptions or delays, including Amazon. For speediest service, order direct from the ALA Store. ALA Store purchases fund advocacy, awareness and accreditation programs for library and information professionals worldwide. ALA Editions | ALA Neal-Schuman publishes resources used by library and information professionals, scholars, students, and educators to improve programs and services, build on best practices, enhance pedagogy, share research, develop leadership, and promote advocacy. ALA authors and developers are leaders in their fields, and their content is published in a variety of print and electronic formats. Contact ALA Editions | ALA Neal-Schuman at editionsmarketing@ala.org.

Related Links

"Creating a School Library with Impact: A Beginners Guide"

"Playing Games in the School Library: Developing Game-Based Lessons and Using Gamification Concepts"

"School Libraries Supporting Literacy and Wellbeing"

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