School librarian in the running for national award

A Moray librarian has booked herself a place in a prestigious national final.

Shelagh Toonen is one of five finalists – and the only one from Scotland – vying for the title of UK School Librarian of the Year.

She has been school librarian at Elgin Academy for five years, having spent the previous 20 years as librarian at Buckie High.

Mrs Toonen was nominated for the School Library Association award by her counterparts in Moray’s seven other secondary schools.

“I feel honoured and privileged that my school library colleagues felt they could nominate me,” she said. “It is very humbling.”

Moray is one of the few Scottish education authorities to have a qualified librarian in each of its secondaries and they get together at least once a term to exchange ideas and discuss relevant issues.

“We work as a group and I believe the work we do can help with literacy and attainment,” said Mrs Toonen.

She admits to being passionate about her role and only last month gave a presentation to John Swinney, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, when he visited Elgin Academy.

Although she is the only member of staff in the school library, she gets tremendous support from staff and from senior pupils, many of whom act as volunteers and help younger pupils with their reading skills.

“All the staff are so supportive,” she said. “They see the library as a dynamic and diverse centre within the school. The whole school values it and uses it really well.”

A panel of judges from the School Library Association will visit the academy for a full day next month to meet Mrs Toonen and witness some of the activities which she has developed across different stages of the school.

Head teacher David Barnett described Mrs Toonen as an “inspirational member of staff” whose enthusiasm and commitment guaranteed a wide range of engaging experiences for young people in the school.

“Shelagh has ensured that the library is central to the school’s work and the impact that she has had on literacy cannot be underestimated,” he said.