Thanks to generous funding from the Foyle Foundation, we are pleased to announce the launch of a School Library CPD Programme to run throughout Spring and Summer 2024.
This programme will consist of support for both members and non-members, and is in response to the Great School Libraries research about the lack of access to CPD most school library staff face. This programme is also an important achievement in the delivery of the SLA 5-year strategy.
Fifteen full SLA members will have the opportunity to take an action research training course, delivered in partnership with the Chartered College of Teaching, where school library staff will conduct research projects while receiving training in order to valuably contribute to the body of research about school libraries in the UK and make sure the voices of school library staff are being heard.
In addition, those 15 SLA members will also receive tickets to our 2024 Weekend Course, Libraries Unleashed: Beyond the Shelves, taking place in Sheffield between 7th and 8th June. This will provide beneficial networking opportunities with others undertaking the course and will further participants’ learning by allowing them to hear from leading academics in the sector about their latest research.
What’s more, we are pleased to also offer CPD opportunities to five free members and non-members. The successful applicants will receive complimentary Weekend Course 2024 tickets and full SLA membership for a year. This includes an array of helpful CPD resources, such as our quarterly journal, monthly webinars, and access to the SLA community. Throughout the year, guidance will also be provided to assist individuals in other areas, such as advocacy efforts and securing sponsorship for future training.
We invite members of UK secondary school library staff to apply for the School Library CPD Programme here. Applications will close at 8am on 16th April.
Priority will be given to schools in regions identified to have limited school libraries or CPD opportunities, and decisions will take into account whether individuals have undertaken paid CPD in the past year, have a library budget, have support from their line manager to undertake an action research project and, finally, whether they are willing to provide feedback and a short write up of the project. This feedback will help us improve our services and potentially secure more funding in future.
We are confident that the benefits of this School Library CPD Programme will be felt by thousands of children across the UK. Our sincere thanks go out to the Foyle Foundation for their support in bringing this transformative project to life and for backing the SLA’s mission to ensure that all schools in the UK benefit from a staffed school library that will help young people fulfil their potential.