Southwick pupils share West Sussex pupil librarian award

Dulcie Gieler and Patrick Beatty were jointly named Individual of the Year in the West Sussex Pupil Librarian of the Year Award 2020.

They have worked tirelessly at Glebe Primary School and were presented with a £15 book token each and a special drawing from award-winning illustrator and author Chris Riddell, a former children’s laureate and strong supporter of school libraries.

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

This year, there were more than 30 nominations, with Rudgwick Primary School pupils Lilly Fowle Bethany Holmes and Sophie Maki winning Team of the Year.

Duncan Crow, West Sussex County Council cabinet member for 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.”

The role of pupil librarian includes helping to run the school library, supporting other pupils, making displays, devising activities and fundraising.

Even during lockdown, the library service was still working hard to compile book lists and reading promotion ideas for the website, tweeting about new books and online learning resources, and giving advice to schools via its blog.

Now back in the office, the team is preparing the topic loans requested by teachers for the autumn term and looking at how it can further use technology to help and advise schools in the future.

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