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Bannerman Bookfest – World Book Day

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Celebrating World Book Day at Bannerman High School went to a whole new level with the very first Bannerman Bookfest!  Every single pupil was invited to the library where they could claim a free book, browse a book swap, make their own bookmarks, take part in a book quiz, dress up as their favourite book characters, grab a treat from the bake sale and even meet a local author!  A fantastic day was had by all, and a big congratulations to Miss Doran and the Reader Leaders for organising such a wonderful event!

A whole day of events was planned by Miss Doran and the Reader Leaders! 

Staff and pupils were given the opportunity to dress up as their favourite book characters and compete to win a prize! 

There was a wonderful selection of books available at the book swap, meaning staff and pupils were able to grab a great selection of books for free! 

Local author Ashlie McAnally came along to the Bookfest to talk to pupils about her new book and her career as an author! 

Empowering Young Voices: The “Youth for Equity” Library Project

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This year, four school libraries (Drumchapel High school library, Hillhead High school library, Rosshall Academy library and St Mungo’s Academy library) are taking part in an inspiring initiative called “Youth for Equity,” a project funded by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC).

The project brings together focus groups of S1-S2 students from each participating school for three interactive sessions centered around critical social issues: LGBTQ+ rights, homelessness, and racism. With the support of three incredible charities—TIE (Time for Inclusive Education), Simon Community, and The Black Curriculum—students are given a platform to explore these topics through discussion, writing, and creative expression.

Project launch at Drumchapel High School Library

The first session took place on March 12th at Drumchapel High School Library, where students had the opportunity to attend a session with TIE and South Asian actor, playwright and comedian Sanjay Lago.

Sanjay shared his powerful poetry and personal experiences, encouraging students to embrace the strength of their diverse voices. Through interactive exercises, he inspired them to write their own poems—showcasing the value of storytelling and self-expression in shaping a more inclusive world.

This session marked the beginning of a journey where young people are not only learning about equity but also becoming active participants in shaping a more just society.

Stay tuned for updates on the upcoming sessions as we continue to explore these important conversations through the lens of creativity and collaboration.

 

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Happy World Book Day from Eastbank Academy !

And what a day it has been.  Firstly, we had so much fun giving out the free World Book Day books to the pupils.  The favourites definitely were tied between “Pokemon: The Epic Pocket Guide” and, “The Fart that Broke the World”!  Which book was your favourite?

After that, we had the Grand Unveiling of our Library Mascot – the Eastbank Ninja !  The Ninja’s secrets are many, but he jumped from the pencil of one of our first year pupils during a competition to design a mascot and now he’s embodied in wool !  He’s menacing and soft at the same time – just like many of your favourite people perhaps?  Here he is, but I’m not giving away his identity….

At lunchtime today we also had a fantastic bookmark making session where creativity met reading and we had some amazing results.  Well done to those who took part.

In class time today there was also a new version of the Masked Reader shown.  This is an animation of teachers reading in the style of the Masked Singer and the pupils have to guess which teacher is which.  Mr Seawright does an amazing job of doing this each year and it’s one of our highlights of the day.

Finally, whilst tidying away the book returns this afternoon, a senior pupil left me this.  We believe in libraries and library kids too…

Rights Respecting School Book-of-the-month: March

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The Rights Respecting Schools Award recognises a school’s achievement in embedding the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in daily school life and beyond. Putting these values into practice in school helps give pupils the best chance to lead happy, healthy lives and to be responsible, active citizens.

As part of their work towards a gold award, Castlemilk High School library and Rights Respecting group promotes a themed book every month.  Each book is chosen for content that highlights different UNCRC articles. This month’s book is the classic ‘David Copperfield’ by Charles Dickens, which links to a number of articles including:  

19: Protection from violence, abuse and neglect

27: Adequate standard of living

28: Right to an education


This is the story of David, and his journey  from an unhappy and impoverished childhood to a becoming a successful writer.

David lives happily with his mother and his nurse, Peggotty. Then his mother marries Mr Murdstone, and he and his sister come to live with them. Suddenly everything changes.,,

Full of tragedy and comedy in equal measure and based in part on the author’s own life, David Copperfield remains one of the most enduring and popular of Dickens’ novels.

David Copperfield is available now in book and ebook format from the school library. 

Holyrood Library Round-up

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Spring is fast approaching. Time for a quick round-up of what we’ve achieved so far this year.

In January, library activities focused on the Sustainability Team’s Reduce, Reuse and Recycle campaign. First up was our pop-up Eco Library in the fuel zone. We like to make books accessible to everyone, so even if you can’t make it to the library – the library will come to you! Library Helpers made a fantastic effort to transport this brilliant selection of books to the fuel zone, and a lunchtime of browsing and borrowing was enjoyed by many.

Next up was our extra special Book Swap, rounding off January in style.

The aim of these two events was to encourage everyone to borrow and recycle books instead of buying. It’s an absolute pleasure to be part of the school’s programme of Eco- events, led by the Sustainability Team & Miss O’Donnell. Holyrood has just been awarded a second Eco-Schools Green Flag, a fantastic achievement by all.

‘Book Valentine’ display, by Hajrah, Hania & Umme

 

In February, we got romantic, with a Who Will Be Your BOOK Valentine? event. Nominations for favourite books included : Twisted Love, Diary of a CEO (which Umme has just finished reading – great choice), Harry Potter, Timmy Failure, Dear Evan Hansen, and A Girl Called Owl. Well done to our Duke of Edinburgh Volunteers for organising this.

 

 

Date or no date on Valentine’s Day? It doesn’t matter – you’re never alone in the Library : “No matter what happens this week; No matter what you see or feel or think or do: I want you to know that in this World – you will always be loved” (exerpt of poem by Ana, S5).

The librarian is reading :

Does public speaking send you into a frenzy of worry? Stay cool, calm, and collected with ‘How to Talk so People Will Listen’ by Lizzie Waterworth, and remember – we’re all rooting for you and want you to succeed.

Happy reading, and have a fantastic World Book Day on 6th March!

Ms Kindness

February 2025 Roundup – Whitehill Secondary School Library

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New Book Highlights

 Alastair Campbell Talks Politics by Alastair Campbell

India, Incredible India by Jasbinder Bilan, Illustrated by Nina Chakrabarti

The World Book by Joe Fullman, Illustrated by Rose Blake

The United States Book by Rebecca Siegal, Illustrated by Ellen Weinstein

Book of the day

04.02.25: Hazel Hill is Gonna Win This One by Maggie Horne

06.02.25: The Awesome Power of Sleep: How Sleep Super-Charges Your Teenage Brain by Nicola Morgan

11.02.25: Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzales

13.02.25: Engineers Making A Difference: Inventors, Technicians, Scientists and Tech Entrepreneurs Changing the World and How You Can Join Them by Sr Shini Somara, Manual Sumberac, and Adam Allsuch Boardman

20.02.25: Northern Soul by Phil Earle

25.02.25: Stars and Smoke by Marie Lu

27.02.25: Here and Queer by Rowan Ellis

Author of the Week

03.02.25:  Kirsty Applebaum

10.02.25:  Jasmine Warga

17.02.25:  Sajni Patel

24.02.25:  Ravena Guron

Series of the Week

03.02.25: Football Superstars by Simon Mugford

10.02.25: Maze Runner by James Dashner

17.02.25: BZRK by Michael Grant

24.02.25: Agent Zaiba Investigates by Annabelle Sami

Literary and Cultural Celebrations for February (Book Lists and Displays)

LGBT+ History Month UK: LGBT+ History Month takes place in the UK every February. LGBTQ History Month was initiated in the UK by  Schools OUT UK, and first took place in February 2005.

Children’s Mental Health Week (3rd -9th February): Hosted by national charity ‘Place2Be’, Children’s Mental Health Week takes place every February. and aims to promote positive mental health for children.

Languages Week Scotland (3rd-7th February): Languages Week Scotland is a celebration of language learning and multilingualism in Scotland. The theme for 2025 is “Our multilingual futures”.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science (11th February): 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (IDWGS) and the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, two significant milestones in the global effort to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.

PALentines’s Day (13th February): Palentine’s day is a global celebration of friendship and platonic love to compliment Valentine’s Day.

Valentines Day (14th February):  Valentine’s Day is originated as a Christian feast holiday honoring Saint Valentine but is now also a celebration of romance and love around the world.

Random Acts of Kindness Day (17th February): Random Acts of Kindness Day is an global celebration about spreading kindness without expecting anything in return and offer a chance to reflect on the value of empathy.

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

 Book Awards

Winners: Inclusive Book Awards | Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize | Waterstones Book Prize

Shortlists: UKLA Book Awards | YOTO Carnegie Medals

February 2025 Roundup – Shawlands Academy School Library

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Culture Day: Shawlands Academy hosted it’s annual Cultural Day in the Assembly Hall and Library celebrating the school’s rich cultural and diversity and featured several information kiosks, a fashion show, food, and our library’s large range of books. It was a fantastic effort by the teachers and pupils involved in organising.

What’s Your Magic Power Competition Winner: Congratulations to our S1 pupil who won second place in our What’s Your Magic Power art competition in Swatch, the Glasgow School Libraries’ eMagazine for their design ‘Clarivoyance’.

New Book Highlights

An Anthology of Fungi by Ali Ashby, Lynne Boddy, and Daniel Long

Cosmos: Explore the Wonders of the Universe by Dr Becky Smethurst

How Philosophy Works by DK

Legacies: Black British Pioneers by Lania Narjee, Illustrated by Chante Tomothy

Myths of China: Meet the Gods, Creatures and Heroes of Ancient China by Xiaobing Wang, illustrated by Katie Ponder

Rise Up and Sing!: Power, Protest, and Activism in Music  By Andrea Warner, Illustrated by Louise Reimer

Weird and Wonderful Nature: Tale of More Than 100 Unique Animals, Plants, and Phenomenon by Ben Hoare

Underwater World: Aquatic Myths, Mysteries and the Unexplained by Tamara Macfarlane

 

Book of the day

03.02.25: Elle Campbell Wins Their Weekend by Ben Khan

05.02.25: Women in STEM: Women Scientists in Physics and Engineering by Catherine Brereton

07.02.25: Failosophy for Teens by Elizabeth Day and Kim Hankinson

10.02.25: Rebel Girls Celebrate Pride: 25 Tales of Self-Love and Community by Elena Favilli

12.02.25: Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell

14.02.25: Saints and Misfits by SK Ali

21.02.25: Fantastically Great Women Scientists and their Stories by Kate Pankhurst

24.02.25: The Exes by Anam Iqbal

26.02.25: Jay’s Guide to Crushing It by Ruby Clyde

28.02.25: This Book Will (Help) Make You Happy: 50 Ways to Find Some Calm, Build Your Confidence and Make Yourself Smile by Suzy Reading and Alex Paterson

 

Author of the Week

03.02.25: Ross MacKenzie

10.02.25: Robin Talley

17.02.25: Tiffany D Jackson

24.02.25: Malorie Blackman

 

Series of the Week

03.02.25: Onyeka by Tola Okogwu

10.02.25: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

17.02.25: Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

24.02.25: Leap Cycle by Patience Agbabi

Literary and Cultural Celebrations for February (Book Lists and Displays)

LGBT+ History Month UK: LGBT+ History Month takes place in the UK every February. LGBTQ History Month was initiated in the UK by  Schools OUT UK, and first took place in February 2005.

Children’s Mental Health Week (3rd -9th February): Hosted by national charity ‘Place2Be’, Children’s Mental Health Week takes place every February. and aims to promote positive mental health for children.

Languages Week Scotland (3rd-7th February): Languages Week Scotland is a celebration of language learning and multilingualism in Scotland. The theme for 2025 is “Our multilingual futures”.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science (11th February): 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (IDWGS) and the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, two significant milestones in the global effort to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.

PALentines’s Day (13th February): Palentine’s day is a global celebration of friendship and platonic love to compliment Valentine’s Day.

Valentines Day (14th February):  Valentine’s Day is originated as a Christian feast holiday honoring Saint Valentine but is now also a celebration of romance and love around the world.

Random Acts of Kindness Day (17th February): Random Acts of Kindness Day is an global celebration about spreading kindness without expecting anything in return and offer a chance to reflect on the value of empathy.

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

 Book Awards

Winners: Inclusive Book Awards | Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize | Waterstones Book Prize

Shortlists: UKLA Book Awards | YOTO Carnegie Medals