Let's go digital - the importance of libraries in 2020 by Dawn Woods from the SLA

October 5th 2020

We catch up with Dawn Woods at the School Library Association to find out how schools and parents can make the most of everything libraries, authors and publishers have to offer online and virtually this Libraries Week.

National Libraries Week is a celebration of what all libraries offer, this year focusing on books and reading, all contributing to building a Nation of Readers. But, as we have found out over the past six months - if we didn’t know already - reading does not need to take place in the library building.

Our public libraries have continued to offer an e-book service with loans up by 63% in March 2020 over March 2019. Registrations to these digital services increased by 120,000 just three weeks after lockdown began. 

School librarians across the country waived their usual limits on numbers of books being borrowed for pupils to ensure readers had access to books when they sent them home on that last day before lockdown in March. (They are still re-shelving them now!)

Publishers and authors made available huge amounts of content of reading aloud books and associated activities so children would still have access and parents have enjoyable, educational activities to vary the online learning they found themselves doing last term.

The exciting literary festivals we were no longer able to attend in person moved on line, often freely available to all. Much of all this has continued, so now we are able to attend an event from our own home or classroom. So if your school has not experienced an author visit as previously logistics and budget would not allow it, look into the cheaper options of virtual author visits by contacting Authors Aloud or Virtual Authors. 

With no travel costs and reduced overall time, these are affordable, and authors who have seen their income cut, are paid.

Virtual events

Or you could register for one of the following up and coming events:

‘Virtually Together’ with Macmillan Children's Books features events around a selection of titles from picture books through middle grade to YA which are all publishing this autumn:

• At Home with Sir Chris Hoy - Tune in to see sporting legend Sir Chris Hoy live on 5th October at 6pm as he shares his stories and inspirations behind brand new book, Be Amazing! An Inspiring Guide to Being Your Champion and grab a signed copy of the book too. Tickets can be purchased here:  http://ow.ly/QcdU50BkEXd

• At home with Alex Bellos and Ben Lyttleton - Kick off October with Football School Epic Heroes by Alex Bellos and Ben Lyttleton, illustrated by Spike Gerrell, featuring 50 true stories of epic football heroes, from Rashford to Ronaldo!  Watch the trailer on @WalkerBooksUK Instagram.

• At home with Michael Rosen - Click here to see Michael Rosen reading a nursery rhyme from Honey for You, Honey for Me, illustrated by Chris Riddell. There are also some great teacher notes written by CLPE here.

• As it’s Halloween at the end of the month, find Wally and friends in Where's Wally? Spooky Spotlight Search, a spooky search-and-find adventure. Watch the video here.

• Here at the SLA, in conjunction with Macmillan, we have an event for schools with Joseph Coelho on 15^th October. Join Joseph as he introduces Zombierella and world of Fairy Tales Gone Bad as well as showing children the joy and magic of writing and poetry, helping pupils to take on their own creative challenges.  Book your tickets. 

Free resources

As October is Black History Month, no matter what age your children are, they can see their world reflected in recognising some important figures. Andersen Press have lots of free activities available to download, including colouring sheets, drawing activities, games, crafts and teaching resources. The latest additions include a step-by-step guide to drawing Fergal the dragon, created by illustrator Robert Starling, and educational resources that will be perfect for Black History Month. Also look out for a special brand new activity pack for October half term, launching on 16th October. Find all of these resources on the Andersen website. 

The Reading Agency have created a booklist of 65 brilliant books created by black authors and illustrators. There is something for everyone with fantastic poetry, graphic novels, fiction and non-fiction titles. Read the full list here.

Child’s Play have created a free-to-access section of their website called the Home Book Hub. The Hub provides visitors with printable activity sheets and storytime videos of the authors reading out their books. Visit the Home Book Hub.

November is Non-Fiction month. The Federation of Children’s Book Groups organise a vast range of activities using books as a basis, but also magazines which provide a different non-fiction reading experience. Have a look on their website for activities, resources and competitions with fabulous prizes. Is there a local group that your school or parents can join for a very small reasonable fee to keep up to date? Find out more. 

Our own SLA Information Book Award announces the winners on 5^th November 2020, honouring absolutely wonderful information books for children. The Shortlist covers three age categories: Age 7 and under, 8 to 12 and 13 to 16.

The presentation evening is free to attend for SLA members and can be booked here. If you want good quality books to discuss with your pupils, buy or borrow a set of the appropriate age category and discuss with your pupils so they can vote online before the closing date of 26^th October here.

Christmas

So that brings us to the lead up to Christmas!  

Send home booklists for your parents to encourage children to request books as presents rather than more plastic toys.

Some schools do put together a list of books to purchase as new additions for the school library as an alternative to parents buying individual teachers gifts. This may need some discussion with your staff, but I am sure many would agree that this way the children benefit from more books to help make them into that Nation of Readers.

Sign up to the library

Plus don’t forget to encourage your pupils or, as a parent, sign up for a public library ticket if your child does not already have their own. As a school, let your parents know what is happening in your school library – is it on your school website? As a parent, ask about school library borrowing, and for everyone share what you do in National Libraries Week by following @librariesweek and #LibrariesWeek on Twitter. All libraries will be delighted to hear what you have found useful.

Dawn Woods is Member Development Librarian at the School Library Association. Find out more on the SLA website, follow @uksla on Twitter or Instagram, or visit School Library Association on LinkedIn.