Harry Sindle’s passion for helping out at Ely College library has paid off, with the student being one of five shortlisted nationwide for the prestigious Pupil Library Assistant of the Year Awards in London.
The award ceremony, held at Portcullis House, Westminster, last week, recognised the impact of Harry’s work at Ely College and its library.
Hosted by the School Library Association and the School Libraries Group and attended by bestselling author Cathy Cassidy, as well as literary organisations and publishers, the event recognised the contributions of pupils who help out in their school libraries.
Ely College principal Richard Spencer said: “The work that student librarians do at the College is invaluable and enriches not only the library but also each student’s personal development. We are incredibly proud of Harry for getting to the final of this nationwide competition – it is an incredible achievement.”
Mr Spencer also thanked the college’s other “incredibly dedicated” student librarians as well as learning resource centre manager Anne Shaw.
Although Harry didn’t win, making the finals was a massive honour, recognising hours of volunteering at Ely College library.
Each finalist was championed by an author. Harry’s champion was Tamsyn Murray, who gave a supporting speech about Harry.
The event was attended by 20 successful authors who presented the finalists with personal signed copies of their latest books.
Judging panel chair Barbara Band said: “Week after week many students support the libraries in their schools by giving of their time and effort.
“Sadly, this is too often unrecognised and unrewarded. Yet these students are not only helping to create a lively and effective library that responds to the needs of its users, they are also gaining valuable skills and experience in the process. This award was created to recognise that work and also to highlight the unique synergy that occurs when a pupil becomes a library assistant.
“Pupil library assistants are a valuable element in the running of school libraries – giving service to the school but also gaining skills and confidence from the work they do in the library, which ultimately feeds back into their academic achievement and their motivation.”
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