Political support for Great School Libraries
AUTHOR and former Children’s Laure- ate Michael Rosen joined campaigners to spread the word about the value of Great School Libraries. The event was hosted by MP Margaret Greenwood at Portcullis House, and saw politicians from all parties take the opportu- nity to learn more and share their support. The drop-in session was used to promote the #GreatSchoolLibraries campaign, which is a joint initiative of the School Library Associ- ation, CILIP and the CILIP School Libraries Group. CILIP Chief Executive Nick Poole welcomed the support, saying: “Along with our School Libraries Group, we are delighted to be working with Margaret Greenwood MP and Michael Rosen to bring the #GreatSchool- Libraries campaign to Westminster. Ensur- ing that schools have adequate funding to maintain library provision, particularly in the State sector, is one of the most effective interventions our politicians could make to improve every child’s life chances.” Author, poet and broadcaster Michael Rosen was keen to remind politicians of the power and value of a well-resourced library and staffed by a qualified librarian. He called on government to ensure equity of access for all schools, saying: “Every child deserves a great school library with access to quality books, digital resources and the expert support of a dedicated librarian or library staff. Sadly, our research shows that children in independent fee-paying schools are still much more likely to have access to
Children’s author Michael Rosen, Alison Tarrant, Marie-Rose Grieve and Nick Poole at the launch of #GreatShoolLibraries.
a quality library than those in the state sector. Through the #GreatSchoolLibrar- ies campaign, Margaret Greenwood MP and I are calling on Ministers to make provision for every school to have a qual- ity library. Together, we can transform literacy, learning and life-chances for children across the UK.”
Wirral MP Margaret Greenwood is an avid supporter of school libraries and was keen to be involved in the campaign, and to help build support with MPs and peers.
Little Rebels, big impact
THIS year’s Little Rebels Award for Radical Children’s Fiction winner is Patrice Law- rence’s Needle – published by Barrington Stoke.
The book is a portrayal of how a single misguided action can have lasting impacts on young lives, and follows teenager Char- lene Yewless on a journey through the criminal justice system. The story explores how children are impacted by the social and legal policies that too often fail to support vulnerable young people, particularly those in the care arena, and care-leavers. Judges praised Patrice’s storytelling and message, with Jake Hope describing Needle as “A masterpiece of control. The prose feels very tactile and sensory. And, it’s very timely in terms of ageing-up and Child Q.” Fellow judge Farrah Serroukh said Patrice’s writing showed “exceptional skill in convey-
July-August 2023
ing the vulnerability of the main charac- ter and nuances of her character and the wider cast, resulting in a heart breaking insight into the ways in which children in care are often so poorly let down.” Patrice also received a £2,000 prize, as
well as £250 from the newly created Gill Lewis Fund, which was matched with a £250 donation from 2022 winner Sarah Hagger-Holt. The additional £500 will be donated by Patrice to a charity of her choice.
The awards are in their 11th year of celebrating radical fiction for children aged 0-12. They are given on behalf of the Alliance of Radical Booksellers, and administered by radical children’s online bookseller, Letterbox Library and radical bookshop, Housmans. l
http://littlerebels.org
INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL DIGITAL 11
She said: “Encouraging children to enjoy books from an early age and developing a culture of reading for pleasure in schools is extremely important. We need to work together across parties to make sure that every child across the UK has access to a good quality school library, supported by a dedicated librarian or library staff.” Read this month’s School Libraries Group Insight on page 26 for more on the great School Libraries Campaign, or visit
www.greatschoollibraries.org.uk.
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