NEWS
Committee launches inquiry into reading for pleasure
AN inquiry into the decline in children’s reading for pleasure and what can be done to reverse the trend has been launched by the Education Committee. The Com- mons select committee will also look at how reading can be nurtured, what its benefits are, and examine the role of schools, early years settings and local libraries. A 2025 survey by the National Literacy Trust found that
just one in three children aged eight to 18 read in their spare time, a 36 per cent decrease from 2005. It also found a par- ticularly steep drop over the last year among primary school children and that reading continues to be less popular among boys than girls. The inquiry, which coincides with the National Year of Reading, will see MPs question experts on the interaction between reading for pleasure with children and young peo- ple’s mental health and wellbeing. The Committee will also examine the relationship between reading and the increase in screen time, as well as the role of technologies such as Kin- dles and audiobooks. Another strand investigates the role of reading in improving
the attainment and development of disadvantaged children, and those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The committee will also explore what government can do through Best Start Family Support Hubs and forth- coming changes to the national curriculum. Helen Hayes MP, Chair of the Education Committee Chair, said: “The Education Committee wants to understand the forces at play and what the consequences could be for children’s lives. Crucially, we will look across the academic space, and at good practice in schools and communities, for solutions. We will hear from children themselves about how reading for pleasure can be nurtured for the benefit of their education, development, mental health and wellbeing. At the end of this inquiry, we will make recommendations to the Government about the role it can play in helping schools, communities, parents and carers, to ensure the joy of reading endures for future generations.” The Committee is calling for written evidence submissions
(
https://committees.parliament.uk/call-for-evidence/3791) from experts and academics which need to be in by 9 January 2026.
Two CILIP Mentors of the Year
MENTOR of The Year Award judges couldn’t separate the two final nomi- nees and decided they should be named joint winners. However, one nominee does come ahead of the other alphabetically, so we start with Ruth Curtis, Senior Learning Development Librarian at the University of Nottingham, who received the award for her support for the Chartership process. Ruth’s flexible, accessible and supportive approach helped guide the mentee through particularly difficult times as they pro- gressed along their professional registration journey. Ruth, who has worked at the university since 1990 in a variety of roles, moved to her current position in 2019.
She is a long-time member of CILIP and has been a Professional Registration mentor since 2006. She said she sees it as a privilege to mentor and support Professional Regis- tration candidates and that she continues to learn and develop herself through her con- versations with mentees. John Dolan, OBE MCLIP, now a consul- tant but whose career has included Head of
8 INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL DIGITAL Ruth Curtis.
Libraries and Archives in Birming- ham Libraries and Head of Library Policy at the Museums Libraries and Archives Council.
Throughout his career John has been a CILIP member and has served
John Dolan.
two terms on the CILIP Board, one as Chair.
Over 12 years he has supported a number of chartership candidates and said that mentoring helps him stay engaged and up to date.
Winter 2025
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54
