Winners announced for West Sussex Pupil Librarian of the Year Award 2020

This year’s winners of the West Sussex Pupil Librarian of the Year Award have been announced.

They are:
Team of the Year – Rudgwick Primary School.

Individual of the Year – Patrick Beatty and Dulcie Gieler (joint winners) of Glebe Primary School, Southwick.

The awards are given out by West Sussex Schools Library Service to celebrate and reward the contribution pupil librarians make to their primary school libraries.

The role of a pupil librarian includes helping to run their school library, supporting other pupils, making displays, devising activities and fund-raising.

The winners received a £15 book token each and a special drawing from the award-winning illustrator and author Chris Riddell who is a former children’s laureate and a strong supporter of school libraries.

There were over 30 nominations for this year’s awards.

Duncan Crow, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Fire and Rescue and Communities, said: “In the times we have all recently found ourselves in, it is always wonderful to hear such heart warming stories about the difference young people are still making across the county.

“All the nominees for these awards have really stepped up to the mark to support their school library and I just wanted to pass on my congratulations to the winners who have shown strength and determination even in these challenging times.”

During lockdown, the West Sussex Schools Library Service were still working hard to compile book lists and reading promotion ideas for their website, tweeting about new books and online learning resources and giving advice to schools via their blog.

Now back in the office, the team are preparing the topic loans requested by teachers for when children return to school in the autumn term and looking at how they can further use technology to help and advise schools in the future.

For more information on the West Sussex Schools Library Service, visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/sls.