Book Returns: As exams took place throughout May, the School Librarian visited all S1-3 English classes to distribute lists of books on loan. There are over 900 books on loan to S1-3 pupils, highlighting the brilliant readership of our pupils and support from our English department in Shawlands. The lists have proved to be a helpful reminder to the pupils of the books they have borrowed and the library book return boxes are located in each classroom make it easy for them to return their loans. So far, pupils have returned 200 books, with more being returned each day. This is a tremendous effort on behalf of our department and the young people who truly value their library service and love reading for pleasure. Great work everybody, keep them coming!
Creative Writing Contest: Our seasonal creative writing contest is underway with ‘Summer’ as the theme. Any form of creative writing is accepted, maximum 500 words.
International Museums Day: International Museums Day was celebrated May 18th. We uploaded an interactive list of 50 famous international museums and a list of 20 Glasgow museums on our Library Channel for pupils to explore, featuring famous art galleries and national museums who’ve digitised pieces from their collections. Visit the Glasgow Life Museums page for information on local museums and galleries or try one of these highlights from our international list:
Anne Frank House – Amsterdam, Netherlands
The Louvre – Paris, France
The Metropolitan Museum of Art – New York City, USA
Natural History Museum – London, England
Smithsonian Museum of Natural History – Washington, USA
Sistine Chapel – Vatican City
National Walking Month: May was National Walking Month. On our Library Channel, we’ve uploaded a list of local community libraries in the catchment area all within a walking distance of an hour or less from the school. Community Libraries nearby the school include:
Langside Library, 2 Sinclair Drive (0.8 miles, 19 mins walking time)
Pollokshaws Library, 60 Shawbridge Street (0.8 miles, 19 mins walking time)
Pollokshields Library, 30 Leslie Street (0.9 miles, 21 mins walking time)
Govanhill Library, 170 Langside Road (1.1 miles, 25 mins walking time)
Couper Library, 84-86 Clarkston Road (1.8 miles, 40 mins walking time)
Gorbals Library, 180 Crown Street (2.0 miles, 45 mins walking time)
Ibrox Library, 1-5 Midlock Street (2.0 miles, 45 mins walking time)
Pollok Library, Pollock Civic Realm, 2EN Cowglen Road (3.0 miles, 1 hour walking time)
Poe or Young Adult Quiz: Pupils were invited to take part in our Poe or Young Adult quiz on Teams as part of World Goth Day. Participants had to decide whether the quotes were from a YA novel or from the ‘Father of Goth’, Edgar Allan Poe.
Waterstones Haul: We received a fantastic haul from Waterstones, selected by our very own Glasgow School Librarians. Here are some highlights:
The Attack of the Robot Librarian by Sam Copeland and Jenny Pearson, illustrated by Robyn Boyden and Katie Kear
Bite Risk by SJ Wells
The Ramadan Family Cookbook by Anisa Karolia
Roar: A Guide to Dreaming Big and Playing the Sport you Love by Beth Mead
Explanatorium of Science by Robert Winston
Human 2.0: A Celebration of Human Bionics by Patrick Kane and Samuel Rodriguez
Swatch: The Summer issue of Swatch, the Glasgow School Libraries’ eMagazine is now live. Packed with book lists, an exclusive interview with Maisie Chan, and lots of fun stuff including a recipe for salt and chilli wedges, an origami paper fan craft, and a quiz. Interactive back issues are available on the Library Channel on Teams.
Author of the Week: Chosen by pupils
06.05: Benjamin Zephaniah
13.05: Sue Wallman
20.05: Bali Rai
27.05: Samira Ahmed
Series of the Week: Chosen by pupils
06.05: Pandava (Aru Shah) by Roshani Chokshi
13.05: Young Elites by Marie Lu
20.05: Pages & Co by Anna James
27.05: Pizazz by Sophy Henn
Literary and Cultural Celebration Book Lists for May:
Gothic Book List: Featuring all ages gothic fiction to tie in with World Goth Day festivities.
Shelf Help Book List: Mental Health Awareness Week took place from 13th-19th May on the theme of “Movement: Moving more for our mental health”. Our book list features some helpful titles on mental health for Young People that are available in the School Library.
Trending Book Lists:
Epic Reads New Releases | The Guardian Children’s Book Roundup | LoveReading4Kids Books of the Month | Scholastic Books of the Month | Scottish Book Trust Book Lists |Toppsta Monthly Highlights | Waterstones Books of the Month
Recent Awards: UK book award winners, shortlists, and longlists
Winners: International Booker Prize | British Book Awards | CrimeFest Awards | Dylan Thomas Prize | Jhalak Prize
Shortlists: CLiPPA Poetry Award | CWA Daggers Awards | Klaus Flugge Prize | Sports Book Awards |
Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction
Competitions:
Foyles Young Poets of the Year Award
Book Buzz: Latest book news from major media outlets and websites
BBC | Book Riot | Buzzfeed | Epic Reads | The Guardian | Huffpost
What’s On in June
Zine Workshop: Glasgow Zine Library will be popping by Thursday, June 20th during lunchtime to host a zine workshop. Pupils will; learn how to create their very own zine from scratch.
Picnic in the Library: The School Library will host a special ‘picnic in the library’ during lunchtime as part of National Picnic Week. Music, books, and snacks will be provided.
Libby refreshers for seniors: The School Librarian will make her rounds to S4, 5, and 6 English classes to deliver Libby refresher sessions to promote reading for leisure throughout the summer holidays. The Libby app has thousands of fiction and nonfiction books, audiobooks, and eMagazines that can be accessed on their iPads
Book Lists for June: Interactive book lists available on the Library Channel on Teams
Read with Pride: June is Pride month, an internationally recognised celebration of the LGBT+ community. We’ve compiled a list of LGBT+ fiction and nonfiction for all ages.
Empathy Day: Empathy Day (June 6th) ‘inspires children to learn more about empathy, have transformational experiences through stories, and to put empathy into action’ by shining a ‘light on book’s role in raising an empathy-generated generation’. Check out Empathy Lab’s Primary and Secondary book lists, the majority of titles are available in the school library.
Refugee Week: Refugee Week (June 17th-23rd) is ‘the world’s largest arts and cultural festival celebrating the contributions, creativity, and resilience of refuges and people seeking sanctuary. This year’s theme is ‘Our Home’. Our book lists features fiction and nonfiction for Junior and Young Adult readers.
Windrush Day: Windrush Day (June 22nd) honours the contributions of British Caribbean communities and marks the arrival of passengers of the Empire Windrush to the UK. Our book list includes fiction and nonfiction for all ages.
South Asian Heritage Month: South Asian Heritage Month (July 17th-August 17th) celebrates the heritage of people with roots in South Asian countries. This year’s theme is ‘Free to be me’. Our book list come a month early to ensure it is promoted within the school term and includes fiction and nonfiction for all ages.
