How long have you been the librarian at your school?

Wendy: I became BWA’s Head Librarian in 2016 after working as a Library Assistant from 2002 to 2010 while completing my Open University degree. I’m currently working towards my Chartership with CILIP to further enhance my skills and expertise.

Claire: This is my fourth year as the Librarian at CBA, and I feel incredibly fortunate to work in such a beautiful library space.

Sophie: I’ve been the Librarian at Corby Technical School for almost two years, and in that time, the library has transformed! When I introduce myself to students, I always tell them I have the best job in the school and every day I leave knowing my role is truly one of a kind.

Leanne: I became TCA’s full-time Librarian in 2018, driven by my passion for reading and my commitment to making literature accessible to all. I take pride in creating a warm and welcoming library space for all students to enjoy throughout the school day.

Elaine: I’ve spent the past 16 years as a librarian, encouraging young people to love reading – it's a privilege to do what I do.

 

Have you always had a love of reading?

Wendy: I've always been a keen reader, and as a child enjoyed reading the Enid Blyton Famous Five books and Roald Dahl books before moving on to Judy Blume’s Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret - one of the most important books I read as a young teenager.

Claire: I’ve loved reading for as long as I can remember, thanks to my Mum, an avid reader, who encouraged me to visit the local library as a child. Now, I read more than ever – enjoying the chance to escape to different countries, new worlds, and experiences I’d never have in real life.

Leanne: From a young age, I found myself captivated by the stories and adventures that books offered. Reading was like having a passport to endless possibilities. It quickly became a source of comfort and relaxation for me, allowing me to unwind and escape from the stresses of everyday life.

Elaine: Growing up in a small village, the highlight of my week was the mobile library’s visit - that big library bus pulling up felt like pure magic! Books like Anne of Green Gables and Huckleberry Finn shaped my childhood, offering both adventure and a deeper understanding of the bigger picture.

Sophie:  I didn’t always love reading, but that changed in Year 8 when I picked up Michael Grant’s Gone series - I finished it in three days! Since then, I’ve never been without a book (or two!).

 

How does your school promote literacy and a love of reading?

Wendy:  There is always lots going on in the library to promote reading! One of our highlights is the Carnegie Shadowing Book Club, where students explore new genres, engage in discussions, and build confidence ahead of the Trust’s Carnegie Event on June 19^th at BWA.

Claire: KS3 students have bi-weekly library lessons focused on Reading for Pleasure, blending literacy skills with fun book discussions. We are also part of UoN’s Word Warriors programme, where Year 12 students mentor Year 8 students through a 10-week programme.

Sophie:  Choosing a book can feel overwhelming, so we make reading part of everyday life here at CTS.  Our library offers break and lunchtime clubs (like Boardgame Sessions and Quiet Reading), after-school activities (our Wii Club and Book Club are our most popular currently) and movie nights. We also run Library Lessons for Years 7 and 8, fostering enthusiasm for books in a fun and welcoming space. We surround students with books at every opportunity, and it’s been wonderful to share the students’ excitement and enthusiasm about them.

Leanne: One of our key upcoming initiatives is the National Reading Champions Quiz in April, where students engage with literature in a fun, competitive environment that builds critical thinking and teamwork. We have been invited to BWA for the Carnegie event, where students from TCA will read this year's Carnegie Award shortlisted titles before attending.  Our library is always evolving, with new titles added year-round, providing students with opportunities to explore diverse genres.

Elaine:  We’re always looking for ways to make reading fun and accessible for all students! One of our Reading for Pleasure initiatives includes ‘Book Buzz’, where every Year 7 student receives a book to encourage the exploration of new genres.  Our Reading Ambassadors from each year group promote book recommendations and literacy events, while ‘KSA Reads’ introduces pupils to short articles from recent news stories every week.

 

What is your favourite thing about your job?

Wendy: There are so many things to love about being a librarian, but my favourite part is being surrounded by books, recommending new reads to students and then hearing how much they enjoyed them.  It’s incredibly rewarding to see them discover new genres and authors.

Claire: I love the freedom to run the library my way, but working closely with the Trust Librarians is a highlight. We exchange ideas, support each other, and it’s great to feel part of such a collaborative team, especially as we have such niche roles!

Leanne:  I’m lucky to work with passionate educators and dedicated students, which has been incredibly rewarding. At TCA, we believe fostering a love of reading is key to students’ academic and personal growth, and I am proud to be part of a community that values literacy and continuously strives to support our students' educational journey.

Elaine: At KSA, our library isn’t just a room filled with books—it’s a hub of imagination, curiosity, and discovery! The best part of my job is seeing students experience the magic of reading and watching their confidence and creativity blossom.

Sophie:  I love the variety in my job, from hosting an UNO tournament to teaching Sixth Formers how to reference their work. But the most fulfilling part is sharing my passion for reading with students and seeing their excitement as they find their reading path—just like I did!

What is your school doing this year for World Book Day?

Wendy: As WBD falls during our half-term break, we will be celebrating on Thursday 27^th March. Staff and students are invited to dress up, inspired by a favourite character from a book. There is always some friendly competition between departments for the best themed costumes and decorations, with staff and students voting to decide the favourite theme. Each curriculum area will feature a creative literacy-linked activity embedded into each lesson.

Claire: We’re encouraging staff to dress up as book characters, and our amazing Student Librarian team will run a range of fun activities in the library, where students can win prizes and pick up their free WBD books. There will also be an ‘I Am a Reader’ poster campaign where staff will share why they read and their favourite childhood books. Students will play ‘Book Bingo’, endeavouring to complete their bingo cards by asking staff about their reading habits!

Leanne: World Book Day will be a week full of fun activities. Mrs. Kember Whitfield, our whole school literacy lead, has organised a 'shelfie' competition where students guess staff members from photos of their bookshelves.  I’ve also coordinated the distribution of WBD tokens and books for KS3 students, a tutor group quiz, and a joke book competition—all designed to spark conversations about books while students have fun!

Elaine: At KSA, we’re hosting a book swap where students can donate and trade books. We are also holding a scavenger hunt, where students will look for book covers hidden around the school and win book related prizes. Plus, we’re promoting this year’s ‘Read Your Way’ theme with colourful displays and recommendations for audiobooks and eBooks throughout the school.

Sophie:  We will be running Library Lessons for Years 7 and 8, exploring the history of WBD, why reading is an important skill and creating daily reading practice. We will also be hosting a competition where students will be asked to create their perfect reading space and/or library as well as our own Sorting Hat ceremony to organise our amazing readers into their Hogwarts Houses!

Thank you, Wendy, Claire, Leanne, Elaine and Sophie!

 

At Brooke Weston Trust, we are committed to creating a strong reading culture by offering a range of reading for pleasure initiatives - from author visits, literacy-boosting competitions, and diverse book collections that ensure every student sees themselves reflected in the stories they read.