October/November 2023 Roundup – Shawlands Academy School Library

It’s been a very busy few weeks here at Shawlands Academy School Library. With over 3800 book issues and renewals and 2270 visiting numbers throughout the two-month period, the library is the hub of the school community illustrating just how much School Libraries are essential to our pupils.

In addition to our regular book borrowing periods and lunch/break-times, other highlights over the past few weeks include:

Libby Inductions: We delivered Libby inductions at S1 English classes, ensuring pupils have access and choice to either physical or digital books.

Advanced Higher English Mitchell Visit: We arranged for Miss McDonald’s Advanced Higher English pupils to visit the Mitchell Library where they learned how to access the resources essential to their dissertations.

SfL Book Group: We’ve continued to work closely with the Support for Learning department on our weekly book group. The pupils are really enjoying reading and discussion Horowitz Horrors by Anthony Horowitz, a collection of short horror stories.

Book Week Scotland: Members of our Pupil Library Committee created and delivered a well-attended quiz during Book Week Scotland. We also launched our Library Mascot Design competition and received six amazing designs from our talented pupils. The designs have been posted on S1-3 Year Group Teams where pupils can cast their vote on their favourite design. The winning design will be announced in January 2024.

Pupil Library Committee: Our Pupil Library Committee have continued their brilliant work on creating monthly displays. October saw Black History Month, World Space Week, and Horror Stories for Halloween. November saw an array of nonfiction books for Nonfiction November, Transgender day of Remembrance, Dyslexia Awareness Week, and a selection of adventure stories to tie in with this year’s Book Week Scotland theme.

Autumn Writing Competition: Members of our Pupil Library Committee have also launched this season’s writing competition on the theme of ‘Autumn’. Winners will be announced this month.

SAARA: The School Library has been working with the Shawlands Academy Anti-Racism Association to choose additional anti-racism books that will be part of our Equality and Empowerment section.

Swatch: Our Winter 23 issue of Swatch, the Glasgow School Libraries eMagazine is now available. Here are some links to our previous issues: Autumn 23, Summer 23, Spring 23, Winter 22, Autumn 22, Summer 22, Spring 22, Winter 21, Autumn 21, Summer 21, Spring 21, Winter 20, Autumn 20.