School Library Association 85th Anniversary booklet

SUPPORTING SCHOOL LIBRARIES 

SINCE 1937 

I love reading because... 

... it transports me to all sorts of 

worlds, weird and wonderful, and 

lets me meet fascinating 

characters I could only hope to 

meet in my everyday life. 

I can be a king, 

a spy, 

an astronaut, 

all in the comfort of my reading 

chair! 

Sarah McIntyre 

children's illustrator & writer 

SLA PATRON 

2 | School Library Association

Letter from the Editor & Chair 

It is an honour and a privilege to be Chair of the School 

Library Association at such an exciting but challenging 

time in its history. I have been involved with the SLA 

since 1997, as a branch member, branch Chair and 

trustee and have many fond memories. It has been a real 

pleasure putting together this booklet to celebrate our 

85th anniversary and inspiring delving into the archives 

to read about the very beginnings of the Association 

and the passion and commitment of those involved over 

the decades. The timeline in this booklet shows key 

moments and achievements. 

In the early part of the history, I have referred to 

The School Library Association and The School Librarian 

as they were formally, and formerly, known. However, 

as time and the narrative has progressed, I have taken 

the liberty of shortening them to SLA and TSL, mainly 

for the purposes of word count. I hope readers will 

forgive me. 

Last of all, I want to thank all our members, past, present 

and those yet to come, who make our Association such 

a strong network of support for educators everywhere. 

I hope you are enjoying our 85th celebrations and we 

look forward to many more years together. 

Sue Bastone 

Our sponsors 

Celebrating our 85th Anniversary | 3

Letter from the President 

Receiving an email in 2020 from our wonderful CEO, 

asking me to consider becoming President of the SLA, 

was a shaft of light during the extreme darkness we 

were all navigating. To find that I was following in the 

footsteps of the extraordinary Chris Riddell, made the 

offer even more poignant. As a Headteacher and teacher, 

I had always passionately believed in the power of a 

skilfully curated and managed library. I saw, first hand, 

the impact great libraries have had on the thousands of 

students I have been privileged to work with. I have seen 

how those students were inspired and challenged, 

encouraged to dream, have their aspirations stimulated 

and their sense of purpose, value, and place crystalised. 

I have also witnessed the power of a school library as 

a place of learning and support for parents and carers 

and a centre for staff and community professional 

development. As a child myself, learning to come to 

terms with challenging family circumstances, my library 

became my refuge, our librarian my confidante. 

To be involved in the SLA as we celebrate our 85th 

anniversary is a privilege and not only a testament 

to you all, and to the incredibly committed team who 

keep our organisation alive, but to all of those whose 

legacy we keep alive and strive to do justice to. 

It is clear that we are living in difficult times, but this 

much I know; nothing good comes from division, it 

comes from collegiality, collaboration and a galvanising 

sense of shared purpose. 85 years on, our School Library 

Association has never been more important. We must 

recognise that the foundations built for us by our 

predecessors are so incredibly important now. It is our 

responsibility to grow the legacy, build on the past 

and plan for the future. We must ensure that, 85 years 

from now, our legacy is burning as bright and our efforts 

have meant strength and value for the children yet to 

be born, the lives yet to be lived and the aspirations 

yet to be realised. 

Happy Birthday all. 

Richard Gerver 


The History and Influence of the 

School Library Association 

In the early years of the 20th century interest 

in ‘secondary’ (then grammar) school libraries 

was growing. The Board of Education Building 

Regulations for secondary schools (1906) stated 

“it is desirable that there should be …a room 

furnished for use as a library”. In 1914 this was 

expanded to add “this room may also be used as 

a sixth form room”. In 1928 HMI reports were 

instructed to include a section on the school 

library. Progress was slow however and in 1933 

the Carnegie Trust was instructed to carry out an 

enquiry. The report, in 1936, ‘revealed a most 

unsatisfactory state of affairs’ following which 

Miss Paule de Lepervanche, from the Carnegie 

committee, founded The School Library Review, 

the first English journal devoted to school 

librarianship, and invited fellow librarians to a 

meeting with a view to forming an organisation. 

By the end of 1936 both the School Library 

Association and a School Libraries Section of the 

Library Association (LA now CILIP) had been 

founded. An SLA National Committee was set 

up, meeting for the first time on 23rd January 

1937 at the Institute of Education (now UCL). 

“We should teach children in schools 

not only to accumulate facts but also 

to develop those powers of initiative 

and selection which will enable them 

to ‘make out their own case’,… to 

know how to find the facts when they 

want them.” 

The first edition of The 

School Librarian appeared in 

March 1937 and the President 

noted “in a democratic State 

public opinion needs to be 

particularly well informed if 

the inherent dangers of 

‘mob psychology’ are to be 

avoided... it is of particular 

importance,… that we 

should teach children in 

schools not only to 

accumulate facts but also 

to develop those powers of 

initiative and selection which will enable them to 

‘make out their own case’,… to know how to find 

the facts when they want them.” By the end of 

1937 membership stood at 300 and there were 

13 regional branches. 

There was no School Librarian (TSL) between 

March 1939 and December 1940 but in the 

December issue a plea was made for articles, 

particularly on the subject of Evacuation. 

An article was published 

in 1941- Evacuation: 

An Experience, by Ian 

L. Serraillier, author of 

popular children’s books, 

The Silver Sword being 

his best known. In 1943 the 

Ministry of Education 

published School Libraries 

in Post-War 

Reconstruction based 

on an SLA report and in 

1944 the new Education 

Act stated that every secondary school must 

have a library. ‘Thus, wrote Charles Morris, the 

first editor of The School Librarian, ‘the 

Association strode into the post-war era 

with renewed strength and conscious leadership 

in school library matters’. The 1944 Act not 

only created the new secondary schools, it 

freed the primary schools from their elementary 

image and a positive revolution took place in 

their methods of teaching and attitude to book 

stock and use. 

“The Association strode into the 

post-war era with renewed strength 

and conscious leadership in school 

library matters.” 

In 1947 a joint publication with the National 

Book League: School Libraries: A Short Manual 

was published, followed by a second edition of 

‘Post War Reconstruction’, with the crisper title 

School Libraries Today which had enormous 

influence in the new secondary schools and was 

the forerunner of School Libraries: Their Planning 

and Equipment 1972. Such was the importance 

given to school libraries in post-war education, 

leading to a series of grants from the Ministry 

of Education (1948–52) enabling the SLA to rent 

offices and employ a salaried secretary, Miss 

Helen Gooch. 

By 1949 membership stood at almost 1000 

and in 1951 the first Weekend Course was 

organised jointly by West Midlands Branch 

and the University of Birmingham, leading to 

the introduction of a two-year diploma course. 


In 1952 a committee of writers, 

teachers and psychologists 

spent a year evaluating 

comics and produced a list 

without ‘Objections’. 23 were 

rated as ‘some objections’, 18 

‘objectionable’ and 8 ‘very 

objectionable’! In 1952 SLA 

Scotland became SLAS to 

distinguish it from the 

Scottish Library Association 

and in December 1952 TSL 

reported on 500 Books 

for Schools, a National Book League 

enterprise organising travelling loan exhibitions. 

By 1953 SLA membership included ‘secondary 

modern and technical schools, LEAs, University 

Institutes of Education, training colleges, public 

libraries, publishers and booksellers, writers for 

children and members from overseas’. It was 

obvious where the next development should be 

and a Primary School Libraries sub-committee 

was formalised, going on to write seminal books 

on libraries and books in the primary school. 

“More money should be spent on 

books in schools, especially for 

school libraries …” 

In March 1955 TSL reported that it was the 

first year the SLA had not had to apply to the 

Ministry of Education for a grant. An article 

entitled ‘Loosening the Purse Strings’ states: 

“It is heartening … to read of the new Minister 

of Education, in a reply in the House of 

Commons, affirming his belief that more money 

should be spent on books in schools, especially 

for school libraries …” 

On 23rd July 1955 the SLA became incorporated 

as a company limited by guarantee and was 

registered as an educational charity. 

In 1956 a joint working party of the SLA and the 

Library Association was set up in consultation 

with the inspectorate and established a Teacher- 

Librarian Certificate. The December 1956 TSL 

reported the first Hans Christian Andersen 

Award and in 1957 the first Book Review Editor 

of TSL was appointed. By the end of the 1950s 

the growth in membership meant a heavier 

workload and in 1961 the Gulbenkian Foundation 

made a grant to employ a publications officer 

and enable the SLA to move to larger offices in 

Bloomsbury. There followed 

many years of respected 

publications, not least, in 

1963, An Introduction to 

the Dewey Decimal 

Classification for British 

Schools, which went to 

four editions. 

In December 1961 a 

luncheon party was held 

to celebrate the 25th 

Anniversary with guests 

from the NUT, the Ministry of Education, 

the Library Association and the National Book 

League. The principal speaker, Dr. Robert Birley, 

Headmaster of Eton College, said “after the 

provision of a chapel and the bare minimum of 

classrooms, a good library is more valuable to a 

school than anything else – hall, laboratories, 

gymnasium or playing fields”. 

At the AGM in 1970 there was a strong demand 

for a public statement of the SLA’s view on the 

qualifications of school librarians and the staffing 

of school libraries following the employment, in 

some local authorities, of chartered librarians. 

A statement was issued and distributed to the 

Department for Education and Science (DfES), 

HMIs, Chief Education Officers and others and in 

1972 the SLA published Libraries in Secondary 

Schools. By the early 1970s numbers for the 

Teacher Librarian certificate had dwindled and 

the LA terminated the agreement. A smaller joint 

board was set up to validate local courses which 

ran from 1978–1986 but many candidates were 

dissatisfied with a course which lasted two years, 

demanded much commitment but ended in no 

recognition or status. There is still no national 

qualification in school librarianship. 

“After the provision of a chapel and the 

bare minimum of classrooms, a good 

library is more valuable to a school 

than anything else – hall, laboratories, 

gymnasium or playing fields.” 

In 1973, Helen Gooch retired, and the SLA 

moved from Bloomsbury to offices in Oxford. 

Membership had reached the dizzy heights 

of nearly 6000 and there was a feeling of 

confidence in future expansion. The Bullock 

report of 1975 A Language for Life, revealed that 

12% of primary schools and 57% of secondary 


schools were members. In 1986 the secretary 

Miriam Curtis, was succeeded by the first 

Executive Secretary, Valerie Fea, her new title 

reflecting her professional experience and a 

developing philosophy in the running of the 

Association. Once again, a change of secretary, 

combined with declining membership, forced a 

move to new accommodation in Swindon. 

DES Statistical Bulletin 7/81 was the first ever 

survey undertaken into secondary school library 

provision revealing ‘an appalling state of affairs’. 

The SLA issued a statement expressing horror 

and dismay which gained much support, but, 

as was remarked at the time ‘understanding, 

sympathy and attention do not buy books’. 

“The SLA continued its influence with 

the government and ran two large 

projects for English schools, Boys into 

Books for secondary schools and a 

similar one for primary schools.” 

Declining membership was a concern, but the 

influence of the SLA continued at the highest 

levels. In 1984, President Frank Hogg attended 

a meeting with Margaret Thatcher’s Education 

Secretary to discuss a potential ‘National 

Curriculum’. The SLA provided responses for 

every single subject to the National Curriculum 

Consultation between 1987 and 1991. 

Throughout the 1990s the 

SLA continued to provide 

a wide range of excellent 

publications including the 

newly launched Guidelines 

series. In 1997 Kathy 

Lemaire was appointed as 

National Secretary and the 

SLA celebrated its 

Diamond anniversary at a 

Gala dinner attended by 

Honorary Life Members 

and with messages from 

David Blunkett, Secretary of State for 

Education and Employment amongst others. 

1997 also saw the advent of a Labour 

government who were very open to the aims of 

the SLA, involving the Association in many 

consultations and in 2003 Professor Tim 

Brighouse, Commissioner for London Schools 

produced School Libraries: Making a Difference, 

launched by SLA, ASCEL and CILIP. 

In 2000, the SLA joined with the School and 

Youth Libraries Groups of CILIP to hold one of 

the largest conferences in its history at Imperial 

College, London. This success was followed in 

2007 by a joint conference with IASL 

(International Association of School Libraries) 

held at Trinity College, Dublin. In 2003 Aidan 

Chambers was elected President and pioneered 

the School Librarian of the Year Award, first 

awarded in 2005. Under Gervase Phinn’s 

presidency, the SLA continued its influence with 

the government and ran two large projects for 

English schools, Boys into Books for secondary 

schools and a similar one for primary schools. 

On her retirement in 2008, Kathy Lemaire was 

awarded an OBE for Services to Education in the 

New Year’s Honours. Kathy was succeeded by 

Tricia Adams and Miranda McKearney (founder 

of The Reading Agency) became President. The 

SLA bought its own premises at Kembrey Park in 

Swindon in 2010 and the Information Book 

Award was launched, the first award to celebrate 

non-fiction books. 

The 2010s saw a change of government, cuts 

to services and tough times for libraries but the 

SLA continued to contribute to consultations 

wherever possible. Alan Gibbons launched 

Campaign for the Book, following which the 

SLA, with partners across the publishing and 

library worlds, launched the School Library 

Charter. In 2012 Kevin Crossley-Holland was 

elected President and a campaign to lobby 

Parliament was organised and attended by SLG 

and SLA members, including students. 


In 2013 the All-Party 

Parliamentary Group 

for Libraries produced 

The Beating Heart of 

the School. Chaired 

by Lord Graham 

Tope, it set out four 

recommendations for 

school libraries. Though 

these were not fully 

taken up, they led to the founding of the Great 

School Libraries Campaign (GSL), a joint 

initiative of CILIP, SLG and SLA, which secured 

funding to conduct research on the number and 

state of school libraries across the country. The 

data gained fired up the sector, and Phase Two 

of GSL is continuing to bring the sector together, 

delivering more information and change. 

“Offering unparalleled support 

to schools which continues on 

its web platform.” 

In 2017,illustrator Chris 

Riddell was elected 

President and began the 

much-loved series of 

covers for TSL. These 

continued throughout his 

Presidency and are 

continuing with Chris 

remaining an SLA Patron. 

In 2018 Tricia Adams was succeeded by Alison 

Tarrant as CEO, only the seventh in the SLA’s 

long history. Less than two years later, the Covid 

pandemic erupted, forcing a new way of working 

and presenting many challenges to the SLA and 

its finances. The Association rose to the 

challenge, holding online training and offering 

unparalleled support to schools which continues 

on its web platform. In 2021 two new Awards – 

Community and Enterprise – were launched and 

the SLA was on the steering group for 

BookTrust’s Life-Changing Libraries campaign. 

The board of trustees reviewed its governance 

and skills and recruited experts from outside the 

sector as well as school librarians, resulting in a 

strong, knowledgeable and engaged board to 

support the management and continued success 

of the SLA. 

Putting school libraries at the heart of 

schools and learning will continue 

for as long 

as the SLA exists, and 

relationships with MPs, 

educators and 

the sector will ensure that 

school libraries survive, and 

indeed, thrive. 

So, we celebrate our 85th 

Anniversary with pride and 

confidence in the future. 


SLA publications 

Geoff Dubber, Publications Co-ordinator 

1995–2018, SLA Chair 2008–10, 

remembers his time managing SLA’s 

Publications (This is an edited extract from 

Geoff’s blog, the full article can be found at: 

www.sla.org.uk/article/elizabeth-roberts/85thanniversary-two-decades-and-more-of-slapublications) 

I joined the SLA Executive Committee in the 

autumn of 1992 and joined the Publications 

Group. In my library and information skills work 

on the LEA’s Advisory & Inspection team in 

Gloucestershire I had been involved in putting 

together a range of publications and it seemed 

natural to opt for this. 

SLA Publications were in their infancy. The 

first ones had been produced in the late 1980s 

and perhaps three or four were on the list when 

I joined. Some focussed on school library 

procedures and processes (SLA Guidelines, 

started in 1990) and a series of author profiles 

had been created too. Elspeth Scott from the 

Scottish SLA (later SLA Chair and the SLA’s 

stalwart ICT editor for many years) had penned 

a couple of the Guidelines. Marny Leech, the 

SLA’s Production Editor, copy edited and 

produced these in between her work on The 

School Librarian. Jane Cooper in the SLA office 

was doing an excellent job sorting sales and 

publications admin. In 1995 Ray Swan retired 

and Valerie Fea invited me to take over chairing 

the Publications Group and take the initiative in 

expanding Publications. I jumped at the opportunity. 

For the next 22 years SLA publications work 

was a very important strand of my professional 

life. We went on to produce approximately 

85 titles during those years, mostly in the 

Guideline series, but also the highly successful 

Riveting Reads across all school age ranges, 

Case Studies and SLA Voices. I was responsible 

for obtaining an author and their draft manuscript, 

arranging to have it peer reviewed, making the 

necessary changes and passing it to the production 

editor. Advertising blurb was written and of 

course a title price calculated and print run 

decided. The Publications Group were very 

supportive, suggesting new titles and authors 

and with peer reviewing. Each script was read 

confidentially by two reviewers and by me. 

Group members also authored publications: 

names that come to mind include the late Wendy 

Cooling (before she became a patron) who 

authored our first series of Riveting Reads, so 

ably taken on by Eileen Armstrong, Chris Brown, 

Frances Sinclair, Joy Court and others. Elspeth 

Scott, Eileen Armstrong, Anne-Marie Tartar, Sally 

Dring, Steve Hird, Tricia Adams, Dawn Woods, 

Sally Duncan, Kathy Lemaire, Karen Horsfield 

and other colleagues and friends contributed 

Guidelines on a variety of important topics. 

Michael Morpurgo donated a story to Eileen’s 

Guidelines title; we were absolutely delighted. 

I contributed half a dozen Guidelines titles 

myself. To give a new dimension to them we 

added short case studies in later years. Collections 

of case studies on a specific theme or issue 

themselves became a publications series. Those 

on Information Skills, and also on Induction and 

Behaviour were the best sellers. The spin off to 

the publications was that SLA members and 

others then wanted workshops or a day’s training 

on those topics – another crucial aspect to SLA 

work in those days and vital income generator. 

SLA publications were extremely popular with 

schools. We often launched a new title and 

sold them by the dozen, even by the score, at 

the annual Weekend Course, library and school/ 

education exhibitions, day courses and through 

branches. They sold all over the world. In fact 

in the late 1990s Prof. Frank Hogg OBE, our 

amazing President and stalwart SLA advocate, 

had some written by Elspeth Scott translated 

and sold in Poland! We were keen to draw into 

the Association enthusiastic school librarians 

with ideas, writing skills and a genuine enthusiasm 

for helping in the sector. This proved very 

successful. Several authors stood for election 

and joined the Board. Since 2018 our publications 

have been looked after by Cathal Coyle and have 

covered a range of topics relevant to school 

libraries including fake news, pupil mental health 

and wellbeing, and reading science information 

books for pleasure. 


SLA timeline 1937–2022 

23 January 1937 

Inaugural meeting of the 


at the Institute of Education. 

Mr. Evan T. Davies (Director 

of Education for West 

Sussex) is elected President. 

March 1937 

First edition of The School 

Librarian published. 

1944 

New Education Act stated 

that every secondary school 

must have a library. 

1949 

Grant from Ministry of 

Education “to enable the 

Association to establish 

itself again after the War, 

and given … that the 

Association will be placed 

on a self-supporting basis 

within the next few years”. 

1st National Secretary, Miss 

Helen Gooch appointed. 

Premises rented in Gordon 

Square, London. 

1951 

First Weekend Course 

organised jointly by 

West Midlands branch 

and the University of 

Birmingham. 

1952 

SLA Scotland becomes SLAS 

to distinguish it from the 

Scottish Library Association. 

1963 

SLA publishes An 

Introduction to the Dewey 

Decimal Classification 

System for British Schools 

which went to four editions. 

29 December 1961 

Luncheon party held to 

celebrate the SLA’s 25th 

Anniversary at the English 

Speaking Union. 

1961 

Grant from The Gulbenkian 

Gulbenkian Foundation 

allows move to offices in 

Bloomsbury. 

1958 

The SLA publishes the 

seminal work The Library 

in the Primary School. 

1957 

Sir Eric James (Lord James 

of Rusholme), High Master 

of Manchester Grammar 

School, elected President. 

1956 

SLA and Library 

Association in consultation 

with HMI establish 

certificate for teacherlibrarians 

at Birmingham 

University. 

23 July 1955 

SLA incorporated as a 

company limited by 

guarantee and registered 

as an educational charity. 

1968 

Cecil A. Stott elected 

President. 

June 1973 

Helen Gooch retires as 

Secretary. Miriam Curtis 

appointed. SLA moves to 

premises in Oxford. 

1975 

SLA Membership c6000, 

including 12% of primary 

schools & 57% of secondary 

schools. 

1977 

Frank Hogg, Principal, 

College of Librarianship, 

Wales, elected President. 

1977 

Joint Board set up to 

administer Certificate in 

School Library Studies by 

SLA & Library Association. 

1981 

DES Statistical Bulletin 7/81, 

first ever survey undertaken 

into secondary school 

library provision, reveals 

appalling state of affairs. 

Much support for SLA. 

18 June 1984 

Meeting held with Sir Keith 

Joseph, Secretary of State 

for Education to discuss a 

potential ‘National 

Curriculum’. 

1 February 1986 

Valerie Fea becomes 

Executive Secretary. 


SLA timeline 1937–2022 

2000 

Joint Conference – SLA/ 

SLG/YLG in London. 

1999 

SLA moves to Lotmead, 

combining offices and store. 

1997 

ict@sla launched. 

January 1997 

SLA celebrates Diamond 

Anniversary with messages 

from Sec of State for 

Education and Employment, 

Minister for the Arts and 

IASL. 

May 1997 

Kathy Lemaire appointed 

as National Secretary. (Title 

changed to CEO in 1999). 

Valerie Fea receives OBE. 

1990 

Guidelines series of 

publications launched. 

1987–1991 

SLA contributes to National 

Curriculum Consultations. 

January 1987 

SLA celebrates 50th 

Anniversary with a 

new logo. 

1986 

SLA moves from Oxford 

to Liden Library in 

Swindon and instals its 

first computer – an 

Amstrad PCW 8512. 

2003 

Aidan Chambers 

elected President. 

December 2003 

SLA with ASCEL and CILIP, 

launch the publication 

School Libraries: Making a 

Difference with Professor 

Tim Brighouse, Commissioner 

for London Schools. 

2005 

First School Librarian of 

the Year awarded to Anne 

Robinson (by her namesake 

TV presenter Anne Robinson). 

2006 

Gervaise Phinn 


2007 

DCSF (Department for 

Children, Schools & 

Families) gives £7.5m to 

SLA for projects including 

Boys into Books. 

13 October 2008 

Patricia Adams becomes CEO 

and changes title to Director. 

Kathy Lemaire receives OBE. 

2009 

Miranda McKearney 


2010 

SLA buys its own premises 

at Kembrey Park. 

2010–2011 

Information Book 

Award launched. 

23 January 2022 

SLA 85th Anniversary 

year with logo created by 

Patron, Sarah McIntyre. 

2021 

New Community and 

Enterprise Awards added 

to SLYA and IBA. 

2021 

Richard Gerver 


2020 

SLA holds its first 

online conference during 

global pandemic. 

2019 

The SLA launches its 

new website. 

2018 

Launch of Great School 

Libraries Campaign with 

CILIP & SLG. 

February 2018 

Alison Tarrant 

becomes CEO. 

2017 

Chris Riddell elected 

President. 

2012 

Librarians Lobby 

on Parliament. 

2012 

Kevin Crossley-Holland 


2010 

Campaign for the Book. SLA, 

with partners from publishing 

and libraries, launches the 

School Library Charter. 


SLA people 

The following are just a few of those who have contributed much to the SLA over the years. 

The Editor apologies for any omissions. 

Tricia Adams, Director 2008–2017 

10 years at the SLA… was fascinating, uplifting but also frustrating! I loved being 

part of an organisation that celebrated and supported the important work of 

school librarians in the UK. Being part of the various award schemes – The 

Library Design Award, The School Librarian of the Year award – and facilitating 

the set-up of the Information Book Award all gave immense pleasure. We had 

some superb conferences too. But it was meeting individual librarians and 

chatting about their work and schools that was the most invigorating – thanks 

for sharing! 

Eileen Armstrong, Chair 2006–2008 

As a newly qualified librarian the SLA was a lifeline. I quickly saw the benefits 

of setting up SLA NE Branch. Attendance at conference and involvement with 

national committee followed; joining the Publications Group, reviewing, authoring 

Riveting Reads and Guidelines, running R4P training, then election as Chair. It 

was an exciting time to be flying the flag for school librarians. Highlights included 

leading on Government-funded initiatives Boys into Books and Everyone’s 

Reading, and implementing the School Librarian of the Year and Information 

Book Awards. SLA is truly member-led and has given me more than I’ve ever 

contributed, long may it continue! 

Barbara Band TSL Features Editor, Branch Chair 

I attended an SLA Berkshire branch meeting in 2002, coming away as secretary 

and remaining on the committee until 2020, during which time I have held the 

office of Chair twice. One of the initiatives I introduced was the popular and 

successful Unconference. In 2017 I became TSL features editor and, at the time 

was part of Board meetings, giving me an insight into how the SLA works. I was 

editor for four years, encouraging others to share their success stories, and have 

written publications myself as well as delivered training to various branches. 

Chris Brown SLA Chair, Reviews Editor & IBA Chair 

In the 1960s as a young primary teacher my enthusiasm was fired by how 

children learn, especially all aspects of reading, story and books for children. 

I realised organising books in school is essential: hence a school library. I found 

an organisation offered assistance to enthusiastic teachers like me: the SLA! 

Through Kent and Hampshire SLA branches my own education about books, 

authors and reading progressed. As a headteacher I joined the SLA Board 

which led me to being Chair, Reviews Editor, an organiser of the SLA, SLG, YLG 

Millennium conference, IBA proposer and chair. My professional life has been 

enlarged and enriched through the SLA. 

Aidan Chambers, President 2003–2005 and Patron 

I was surprised and honoured to be invited to be President of the SLA. When 

I became a teacher librarian in 1961 without any training for the job my local 

branch was indispensable. I have supported the SLA’s work ever since. I know 

from experience and from visiting schools that the library can, and should, be the 

cultural and educational heart of a school, the place where pupils are stimulated 

and helped to become readers for pleasure, as well as the best resource for 

information. The success of this depends on the skill, book knowledge and energy 

of the librarian. I was determined as President to do all I could to raise the status 

of school librarians. That’s why, with the help of the SLA Committee, we 

established the School Librarian of the Year Award, which I am glad to see 

continues to be given every year. 


Joy Court, TSL Reviews Editor 

I am a self-confessed book addict and so this was the perfect role for me. 

I was not at all phased by the warning in the job description about 5–6000 

books passing through my house each year- I looked forward to it! I took 

enormous pleasure in matching the right book to the right reviewer to ensure 

they got something which was appropriate to their interests, expertise and 

personal preferences. Of course, I really enjoyed the privilege of representing 

the SLA at book launches and industry events too! In short- a special job 

I was honoured to do and that was a wrench to leave. 

Kevin Crossley-Holland, President 2012–2016 and Patron 

I think of the School Library Association as an utterly crucial living gateway, 

leading children to language, story, experience, the past, the future. And 

I think of its keepers as doing vital and all too often unacknowledged work. 

When I was your President, you schooled me. That’s what the SLA, has 

meant, means and will mean to me. 

Ginette Doyle, SLA Chair, SLYA Chair 

Board Member for two terms, Vice Chair, Chair and SLYA Chair, those 

are the official titles of my contribution to the SLA, but they do not convey 

all that the SLA gave to me. There are the wonderful people I met, authors, 

educational experts and the winners and Honour List Librarians of the 

SLYA. There are the people I worked with, Steve Hird, Alec Williams, 

Liz Smith, Lin Smith and Geoff Dubber and many others. So many inspiring 

individuals and contributors to children’s education not forgetting the 

magnificent office staff. 

Annike Dase and Stephen King SLA Chair/Vice Chair 

Annike and Stephen first met briefly at the Guildford SLA Conference in 

2009, and at the Nottingham Conference in 2010 things were starting 

to happen! At the time, Annike was Chief Librarian at Trent College, 

Nottingham, and Stephen was School Librarian at Kilmarnock Academy. 

However, within a few years they had both relocated to Dover, where 

Stephen is still a School Librarian: Annike has since moved into Further 

Education, and is a Head of Department. Annike was Chair of SLA 2015–17, 

and Stephen followed her on to the Board, becoming Vice-Chair 2020–22. 

They married in 2018. 

Geoff Dubber SLA Chair/Publications Coordinator 

I came across the SLA when I took on a secondary school library in 

1972 – I read the small green School Librarian ! I became a Gloucestershire 

branch officer in the mid-1980s as part of my LEA Advisory work and in 

1992 was elected to the national ‘Executive Committee’. In 1995 I was 

invited to become Publications Coordinator (amongst other roles) just at 

the time I was taking on a national advisory/training role for school libraries. 

It was an ideal partnership. I loved every minute of working with the SLA. 

Steve Hird SLA Board, TSL Editor 

I was manager of Rotherham Schools Library Service from 1981–2005, during 

which time I was a founder member of both AMDECL and of ASCEL of which 

I was Secretary for five years. I was elected to the SLA Board in 1998 and 

remained on the Board until 2017, chairing the Training Group, with a particular 

involvement in developing, planning and managing annual Weekend Courses. 

I served on the awards panel of the SLYA for four years from 2004–2007, a 

particularly rewarding and inspiring project involving the dissemination of best 

practice. I was Editor of The School Librarian for 10 proud years from 2007 to 

2017, when I decided to hang up my pen. 


Frank Hogg OBE, President 1977–2002 

Professor Hogg was the founding Principal of the College of Librarianship at 

Aberystwyth University, Wales. He became SLA President in 1977 and steered 

the Association through many challenging and exciting times, working with three 

National Secretary/Chief Executives over many years. In 2019 he was awarded 

an Honorary Fellowship of Aberystwyth University, acknowledging his significant 

influence on the library and information science discipline and profession in 

Wales and globally. 

Bev Humphrey SLA Board, TSL Digital, Training and Digital 

I first joined the SLA many years ago as a very green but immensely keen 

new school librarian. I set off for my first weekend conference with real 

trepidation, only to find that my fellow attendees and the SLA team were some 

of the friendliest, most helpful people I had ever met, I soon felt I’d found my 

tribe. I have since served as a Board member, edited the TSL and now work 

with the team on digital media and virtual training. During Lockdown the digital 

offer I worked on with the SLA kept me very busy & I am very proud of the 

great strides we made together. Here’s to the next 85 years! 

Marny Leech, Production Editor 1979–2003 

I started as SLA Production Editor in 1979 and my work on the journal ended 

twenty-four years later, though I continued to work with Geoff Dubber on 

publications. I worked with three Executive Officers, three Review Editors, and 

several Editors. The most significant moment for me was when I started to 

produce all our publications on a computer, handing the printers a disc rather 

than a pile of marked-up copy. In order to do this, I spent three days on a course 

in Bath. I originally trained as a teacher at Goldsmiths College, London, and 

when I started with the SLA I had two young children, so moving into editing at 

the SLA was the ideal job. I had twenty-four very happy years. 

Kathy Lemaire, OBE, Chief Executive 1997–2008 

I joined the SLA staff in 1997, the year of the Diamond Anniversary, and in my 

11 years I was privileged to work with many hardworking and inspirational 

colleagues and Executive Committee Members, two wonderful Presidents, 

Professor Frank Hogg and Aidan Chambers, and to meet a great many dedicated 

Branch committee members and school librarians. During this time we changed 

to the current logo, moved to larger premises, and ran two Government projects 

for English schools. We ran a joint conference with CILIP SLG and YLG in London 

in 2000 and in 2007 ran an SLA/IASL international conference in Dublin. 

Lesley Martin, Chair 2018–2020 

I attended my first SLA Weekend Course in the early 2000s and joined the 

Board a few years later. I was Course Director for two Weekend Courses and one 

of the inaugural judges on the Information Book Award panel from 2010–2015. 

I was honoured to be asked to be Chair supporting Alison Tarrant as she took 

over the role of CEO. 

Miranda McKearney OBE, President 2009–2011 

It was such an honour to be an SLA President because it’s such a very important 

organisation, representing and supporting the role of school librarians, who 

sit at the heart of a school’s work on growing readers for life. I’m always struck by the 

creativity of librarians, which when woven in with their extraordinary depth of book 

knowledge, makes them gold-dust people. And so many have qualities which play a 

vital pastoral role, building the relationships which help young people feel safe, and 

safe enough to learn. I became President while I was CEO of The Reading Agency 

and since then I’ve gone on to found EmpathyLab, a non-profit helping schools 

make the most of literature’s ability to build real-life empathy. The SLA has been a 

magnificent partner, and I’m extremely grateful to be working with the brilliant staff. 


Gervase Phinn, President 2006–2008 

When I was President, I visited many school libraries and talked to young 

people about books and reading. One memorable (and depressing) occasion 

was at a Young Offenders’ Institution where I launched my Quick Read novel, 

All These Lonely People, and gave each boy a copy, urging him to give it a go. 

The youngsters looked less than keen. I was saddened to hear that reading 

played little part in their lives, few of them ever picked up a book and most had 

never visited the school library when they were pupils. These are the sort of 

young people we must actively encourage to read and come to a love of books. 

The school librarians are at the very centre of this process and they deserve 

the greatest credit and the highest admiration. Long may all their splendid 

work continue. 

Chris Riddell OBE, President 2017–2020 

Chris is one of the UK’s best-loved illustrators and was Children’s Laureate from 

2015–17, after which he kindly agreed to become President of the SLA. During his 

tenure he helped to raise much needed funds for the Association with his 

Presidential Posters and Owl Postcard sets. Chris’s covers for the TSL are much 

loved and sought after and he remains as a Patron (photo credit Macmillan 

Children’s Books 2017). 

Elspeth Scott, National Committee, Editor ict@SLA 

Congratulations to the School Library Association on its birthday! The SLA was 

of inestimable value to me in my career. When I first started in 1975, knowing 

nothing about school libraries, the Association gave me access to reviews I could 

trust, helpful articles and Weekend Courses which enabled me to establish a 

professional network. Joining the committee of the Scottish Branch and later the 

National Committee led to my career developing in exciting (and sometimes 

challenging) ways – becoming an author and speaking at events for example. 

It was a privilege to serve on the committee, and later to be editor of ict@SLA, 

giving something back after the support I had in my early days. I wish it 

continuing success in the future. 

Lin Smith, Chair 2009 

Experience helps you to tackle challenges if colleagues are re-inventing the 

wheel. Imbued with that idea I joined the SLA Board in 2007. What I had not 

realised was just how much you gain from the Association when working 

alongside a great team of practitioners. The opportunity to hone speaking and 

tutoring skills helped me grow and develop my teaching. Involvement with 

SLA Awards and meeting inspirational educators enriched me and the projects 

I then created in school. I hope too, that promoting school libraries laid the 

foundations for further campaigns. 

Alec Williams, Chair 2004 

Just the right place! For a librarian-turned-storyteller, being made SLA Chair 

at the 2004 Weekend course in Dublin (a joint event with IASL) couldn’t have 

been better. A country renowned for stories, a topic spanning ‘from Aesop to 

e-book’, plus fellow tellers Liz Weir and Pat Ryan! 

Just the right president! I was lucky enough to work with SLA President Aidan 

Chambers. Aidan floated the idea of the School Librarian of the Year Award, 

launched just before the conference. 

Just one great school librarian! Librarian Anne Robinson was the first in a line 

of SLYA winners, who’ve shown the vital role librarians can play in schools. A 

highlight of my time as Chair was TV’s Anne Robinson presenting her namesake 

with the certificate. Librarians – the strongest link! 


School Librarian of the Year Award by Agnes Guyon, 

trustee and chair of SLYA 2022 

The prestigious School Librarian of the Year 

Award aims to recognise the important 

work carried out by school librarians every 

day and highlight the changes that they can make 

to the lives of young people. It is particularly 

important in these times of financial restrictions to 

ensure that libraries are not seen as dispensable, 

and this award demonstrates the best that 

libraries can offer. 

In 2003, Aidan Chambers, who was President 

of the School Library Association at that time 

and had run a school library in the past, 

proposed an award for excellent practice to be 

given annually ‘in recognition of outstanding and 

exemplary work by a school librarian... whose 

work may be within the conventional bounds of 

library and information resource centres or be in 

unconventional areas.’ (Aidan Chambers’ initial 

proposal, October 2003). The Award was to be 

open to all working in a school library – whether 

or not they were members of the SLA – and from 

all sectors of education. 

After a lot of work by Alec Williams, Chair 2003– 

2004, and SLA’s Executive Secretary Kathy 

Lemaire, to set up all the practicalities, the award 

was launched in 2004. The judging was chaired 

by Vice Chair Eileen Armstrong, with the first 

recipient being announced at the Weekend 

Course in 2005. 

“The School Librarian of the Year 

Award became truly international 

in 2007, when the panel found 

out that one of their Honour List 

candidates was Amanda Gough 

of Kellett School, Hong Kong!” 

The inaugural winner was Anne Robinson from 

Nicholas Chamberlain School in Warwickshire, 

and her award was presented by her namesake, 

TV presenter Anne Robinson! The 2006 winner 

was Anne-Marie Tarter, librarian of Ripon 

Grammar School, North Yorkshire. The Award 

was presented by Jacqueline Wilson who was 

then Children’s Laureate. 

funds were available to visit the school. Of 

course, online visits were not possible then! 

In 2008 Nikki Heath, librarian at Werneth School, 

Stockport won the award. That year the panel 

awarded Very Highly Commended to Karen 

Bhatti from Yeading Junior School in Hayes, and 

Shona Phillips, librarian at the Royal Blind School 

in Edinburgh. 

In 2010, there were two winners: Duncan Wright 

of Stewart’s Melville College, Edinburgh, and 

Kevin Sheehan of Offerton School, Stockport. By 

sheer coincidence, they were also the first male 

winners. There were also two winners in 2013 

with Hilary Cantwell, librarian at St Paul’s 

Community College, Waterford, Republic of 

Ireland – our first Irish winner – and John Iona, 

librarian at Oasis Academy Enfield, London. 

SLA School Librarian of the Year 2012, Adam 

Lancaster is notable for the fact that he was 

appointed associate assistant headteacher, 

without being a trained teacher. This shows how 

well his school regards his library qualification, 

and highlights how important it is to have the 

support of the school. 

There were a series of worthy winners over the 

years and our latest recipient is Kristabelle 

Williams (pictured) of Addy and 

Stanhope School. It was of course 

impossible to visit schools in 

2020/2021 but, thankfully, 

by then we had all 

mastered Zoom and 

could visit “digitally”. 

The full list of winners 

and Honour list 

recipients is available 

from the SLA website 

(www.sla.org.uk/ 

school-librarianof-the-yearaward) 

from 

all sorts of 

schools 

The School Librarian of the Year Award became 

truly international in 2007, when the panel found 

out that one of their Honour List candidates was 

Amanda Gough of Kellett School, Hong Kong! 

All entries are anonymised, and they had no idea 

that a trip to Hong-Kong was on the cards, but 

16 | School Library Association 

85th Anniversary | 16

have been recognised, but they all share an 

enthusiasm for the power of libraries. Not only 

were they given the opportunity by their school 

to make a difference, but they seized it and 

positioned the library in its rightful place – at the 

heart of the school. 

In 2021 after a review of the awards, we announced 

that the SLYA would be split into primary and 

secondary categories, with those in mixed age 

schools being able to select the most 

appropriate category for their work. Thus, a 

new page is open, and we are looking forward 

to find out who our 2022 School Librarians 

of the Year will be! 

It has been a delight to be part of the process. 

I have learnt a lot, been amazed and inspired. 

Thank you to the SLA for trusting me with this 

incredible award. 

Information Book Award by Margaret Pemberton, 

former trustee and chair of IBA 2022 

At a time when we are mourning the loss 

of two major book awards, it seems only 

right that we celebrate the continuing 

importance and resilience of the Information Book 

Awards. They were set up in 2011 by the SLA, as a 

result of the vision of Chris Brown (then reviews 

editor of the School Librarian), because he felt 

more needed to be done to promote information 

books. He wrote a fascinating article about the 

first few years of the award in the IbbyLink journal 

www.ibby.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ 

ibbylink40-summer2014.pdf. 

The awards are divided into three age ranges: 

7 years and under, 8–12 years and 13–16 years and 

occasionally books can be nominated in more 

than one age range. The SLA asks for submissions 

from publishers and they currently receive about 

180 titles, which are then read by the judges. Over 

a period of three to four months they are whittled 

down to the long list and then the shortlist. The 

winners are announced in November and after a 

break for Christmas and New Year, the process 

begins again. 

Since their inception, the awards have provided 

a wide range of very diverse topics, both in the 

shortlist and in the winners themselves. I am 

also delighted that on many occasions the adult 

judges have been in agreement with the children 

taking part in the Children’s Choice part of the 

award. The first of these was Can We Save The 

Tiger by Martin Jenkins and Vicky White in 

2012, but they have been followed by others, 

such as The National Theatre, by the National 

Theatre in 2016 and Politics for Beginners by 

Alex Frith, Rosie Hore, Louie Stowell and Kellan 

Stover in 2019. 

The judging panel consists of one member of 

the SLA Board, a librarian from Peters Bookselling 

(sponsors) and three other judges, chosen for 

their interest and knowledge of children’s books. 

This could include school librarians, teachers, 

authors or anyone with that all important love and 

depth of knowledge of books. When a vacancy 

arises, it is advertised nationally and anyone 

interested is invited to send in their application; 

the awards would like to reflect the diverse world 

that we live in, so it is worth applying. 

Reading for Pleasure has become a focus 

point over the last few years, but the books 

tend to be fiction. However, it is definitely the 

case that many young people love reading 

information books and these awards give them 

the opportunity to discover a wide range of 

material. The awards are also extremely useful 

for school staff, who are looking for good quality, 

accurate, informative books that are a pleasure 

to read, rather than just a standard text book. 

I am proud to be associated with these awards 

and hope they will continue to inspire children 

for many years to come. 


Looking forward 

As the SLA moves beyond its 85th year 

and into a new era, we can take a moment 

to reflect and thank all those who have 

contributed to the achievements of the SLA to 

date, and to consider what might come in the 

near future. 

The combination of our 85th anniversary and 

a new strategy have combined to give us cause 

to renew our purpose, refresh our approach 

and restate our vision. But that does not mean 

anything if it is not acted on or implemented. 

Over the next 5 years, the SLA will: 

• Engage in active advocacy and PR campaigns 

to raise the profile and benefits of school 

library provision to those in the educational 

sector and government, with the aim of 

school library provision becoming a pillar of 

the UK’s learning and literacy agenda. 

• Create new research exploring the benefits of 

school library provision to pupils, teachers and 

the wider community, and how this supports 

government literacy and educational 

attainment goals, building on existing research. 

• Continue to build strong partnerships with 

organisations supporting literacy and be 

recognised as an expert, equal partner. 

• Ensure membership is utilised by all school 

staff, to increase their understanding of how 

school libraries support literacy, media and 

information literacy, knowledge acquisition, 

wellbeing and employability. 

• Promote member use of a full range of 

digital and physical educational resources 

by illustrating how they can support the 

aims of the library and school. 

we can – a core reason why all staff members 

spend a day in a member’s school library every 

year. Working in collaboration is a core value for 

the SLA; the success of the Great School 

Libraries campaign is a clear indication of what 

can be achieved when organisations collaborate 

to focus on the goal, rather than the credit. 

There will be times when our values are not 

perfectly aligned with other organisations. In 

these cases, working in partnership may not be 

the best option and the SLA needs to be strong 

enough to move forward on its own where 

required. The organisational differences which 

create the diversity of support and make us 

unique organisations are important and should be 

recognised and cherished. It is not an insult to do 

things differently or stand up for different values. 

Reviewing our history and identifying the 

challenges we face, both as a sector and as an 

organisation have strengthened our resolve and 

increased our ambition. We are more determined 

than ever that every child should benefit from a 

staffed school library, and we will work with 

schools to make this a reality, and continue to 

improve and develop our services to members. 

Our 85th anniversary, and the development of 

our new strategy, have created an opportunity 

for us to renew our vision, refresh our aims and 

restate our values. We are proudly a membership 

association, and we look forward to the bright 

and strong future the SLA can create. 

Community is essential to our vision going 

forwards; the SLA is nothing without its 

members, and we are keen to represent as best 

Alison Tarrant 

CEO 

Ali Kennedy 

Incoming Chair 

Looking forward 


School Library Association 1937–2022 

Presidents 

1937–1947 Evan T. Davies Director of Education, W.Sussex 

1948–1950 A.L. Binns Director of Education, Lancs 

(term limited to 3 years in SLA constitution) 

1951–1953 Prof. W.O. Lester-Smith Chief Education Officer, Manchester 

1954–1956 Sir James Fitzjames Duff Vice Chancellor of Durham University 

1957–1960 Sir Eric James High Master of Manchester Grammar School 

1961–1963 M.V.C. Jeffries Professor of Education, Birmingham University 

1964–1967 Percy Wilson Former Senior Chief Inspector (Education) 

1968–1970 Cecil A. Stott 

1971–1973 Dr. F. Lincoln Ralphs Chief Education Officer, Norfolk 

1974–1976 Prof. W.D. Wall Professor of Psychology, University of London 

1977–2002 Prof. Frank Hogg Principal, College of Librarianship, Aberystwyth Univ. 

2003–2005 Aidan Chambers Author and Educator 

2006–2008 Gervase Phinn Author and Educator 

2009–2011 Miranda McKearney OBE Founder The Reading Agency and Empathy Lab 

2012–2016 Kevin Crossley-Holland Author, Poet, Translator 

2017–2020 Chris Riddell Author and Illustrator 

2021– Richard Gerver Educator, Author, Speaker 

National Secretary/CEOs 1956–2022 

1 April 1956 Helen Gooch 1 June 1973 Miriam Curtis 

1 February 1986 Valerie Fea 1 June 1997 Kathy Lemaire 

13 October 2008 Patricia Adams 12 February 2018 Alison Tarrant 

Staff 1988–2022 

1989–2021 Ann Adams Membership and Training Administrator 

1988–2018 Dawn Barras Finance and Weekend Course Administrator 

1994– Jane Cooper Finance Officer 

2007–2018 Sally Duncan Advisory Librarian 

2021– Helen Emery Membership Officer 

2021– Hannah Groves Marketing and Communications Officer 

1979–2003 Marny Leech Production Editor 

2003–2020 Richard Leveridge Production Editor 

2021– Elly Roberts Publications and Awards Officer 

2022– Rebecca West Association Services Assistant 

2018– Dawn Woods Member Development Librarian 

Trustees in our 85th Year (with year of election) 

2017 Sue Bastone 2020 John Bradford 2019 Amanda Deaville 

2021 Victoria Dilly 2021 Elle Firth 2018 Agnes Guyon 

2021 Ruth Horsman 2019 Karan Kaur 2019 Alison Kennedy 

2018 Stephen King 2019 Sarah Middleton 2020 Amanda Whiteford 

2022 Helen Cleaves 2022 Paul Register 2022 Hannah Richardson 

Patrons in our 85th Year 

Tim Bowler Aidan Chambers Frank Cottrell Boyce 

Juno Dawson Kevin Crossley-Holland Smriti Hall 

Julian McDougall Sarah McIntyre Chris Riddell 


www.sla.org.uk 

FOLLOW US 

@uksla 

@uksla 

@schoollibraryassociation

School Library Association 85th Anniversary booklet

Transform your PDFs into Flipbooks and boost your revenue!

Delete template?

Save as template ?