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f s r t h o a Agenda We always planned to have an


author open our library. I am part of the Great School Libraries campaign, which aims to provide every child in the UK with access to a staffed school library. I had recently collaborated with Julia Donaldson to make a video about the campaign for parents. I asked if she’d open the library and was thrilled when she said yes. On the day, pupil librarians shared


‘Julia Donaldson opened our new and improved library’


At the grand opening of our library at Swiss Gardens Primary School, children’s author Julia Donaldson addressed the crowd. She told us how lucky we were to have such great community support. As I looked at the assembled pupils, families, governors, volunteers, members of the School Library Service and School Library Association locality network, local bookshop staff, public library staff and local councillors, I could see what she meant. Before we began fundraising, the library was situated in a drab room.


The stock was dated and the children barely used it. To get us started, the headteacher allocated some funding from the school budget and approached the PTA to ask for their support raising the rest. One PTA member volunteered to


project manage the rebuild, ensure voluntary work went to plan and that PTA funding was available when needed. Over the year, the PTA organised


a whole school sponsored walk to raise awareness of the project. In my role as school librarian, I produced a wish list of books. Generous parents purchased every book on the list and exceeded the target. Our local independent bookshop Chapter 34 organised a campaign where members of the local community could donate money to the school to purchase new books for the library. One artist parent painted a mural,


Julia Donaldson at the library opening


a parent with carpentry skills made a large bookcase with a reading nook and a volunteer from the local community with a background in interior design offered to produce designs for the new library.


poems, the headteacher and school librarian gave speeches and a grandparent baked book-themed cakes. The children love our new library, and have now borrowed books more than 2,000 times. I believe meeting real writers has


WATCH


Julia talk about Great School


Libraries youtu.be/ jOswywmihMk


a significant impact on children’s reading for pleasure, so Julia Donaldson won’t be the last author we host. Vashti Hardy and Jim Beckett are also due to visit this academic year. Leia Sands, librarian, Swiss Gardens Primary School, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex


(371 pupils)


WISE WORDS ‘We make a


living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.’


– Winston Churchill


pta.co.uk SUMMER 2024 7


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