Do you have a pupil library assistant that has shown dedication to your school library, gone above and beyond in their role, or advocated for the school library in the whole school community? Does one of your pupil librarians make a real difference to your school library, or to the wider culture of reading for pleasure in your school?
Nominations for The Pupil Library Assistant of the Year Award are now open for 2026! The Award aims to celebrate the wonderful contribution of pupil librarians across the UK. Nominating your pupils is an opportunity to demonstrate your appreciation of their time and dedication to the role and to thank them for their positive impact to your school library and school community.
If you have someone you would like to nominate, you can download the 2026 nomination form here. The closing date for nominations is 17th November 2025.
The Awards are always inspiring and serve to reinforce how volunteering opportunities within the school library can provide pupils with valuable skills, increased self-esteem and a sense of belonging in school, as well as encouraging wider engagement with reading amongst their peer groups.
Victoria Dilly, CEO of the SLA said: "The Pupil Library Assistant Awards are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the ways in which children and young people can develop confidence through the school library, and to honour the guidance given to pupils by school librarians and teaching staff. We know that school libraries positively impact reading enjoyment and attitudes towards reading, and it's clear from the PLAA finalists each year that libraries also have the power to increase self-esteem and improve social and personal attainment."
That Pupil Librarian programmes are a fundamental part of many schools being able to deliver their library provision effectively also shines a spotlight on the need to invest in staffing and resources for school libraries, so that the whole school community can benefit from them.
For the pupils who are nominated and win, the experience is extremely positive, from having their hard work recognised, to travelling to London and meeting several authors and illustrators at the award ceremony.
Last year's Primary winner, Darcie Farrell said: "I feel very happy about winning the award. I was shocked when I won because I did not think I would win! I feel proud of myself because it is an amazing achievement. I enjoy working in the library because we get to spend to time with little kids helping them to read. Also, I get to do something I like with all of my friends who are also in the library team. The library is important to the children at Rotherfield because we have some children who don’t like loud noises and the library is quiet and peaceful and they can come and read in peace. It is a safe space for everyone. It has helped children who don’t have books at home to read."
The Pupil Library Assistant of the Year Award is a collaboration between SLA trustees and CILIP SLG. The awards are sponsored by Authors Aloud UK and Pearson.