Derek France: Secondary School Librarian of the Year!

Category: Blog, Branches and Groups, News, SLG Scotland

All at CILIPS would like to congratulate SLG Scotland’s Derek France, who has won the School Library Association’s prestigious Secondary School Librarian of the Year Award. Many congratulations Derek!

Derek is the school librarian of Preston Lodge High School, East Lothian, and was commended for his engagement with his school’s different departments, bringing the library into the heart of the school. As highlighted by the SLA during the awards announcement, Derek runs fun and engaging research lessons tailored to what each class and teacher needs, and makes the library feel like part of the life of the school.

Headteacher Gavin Clark said: “Derek has energised a love for literature through many clubs. He empowers the students to start their own clubs including the new feminism club in the library which was proposed by a group of students. He has also organised many online author visits. A science teacher commented that this is the first school where he has taken advantage of the library, not because of the space but because of the librarian.”

Very well done Derek and thank you for your exemplary service, demonstrating the essential role of school librarians across the UK and beyond.

Learn more about Derek’s work with School Libraries Group Scotland.