Registration Now Open for Excelsior Award

Registration is now open for the Excelsior Award, which is the only nationwide book award for graphic novels and manga. There are now four different shortlists of five books each, with a greater focus on specific age suitability and affordability. The overall goal of the award is to encourage reading for pleasure and to raise the profile of graphic novels and manga.
Please click here for more information about the award, and the nominated books.

Have a look at the SLA website for more information, articles and blogposts about graphic novels and don't forget about the SLA publications, Riveting Reads on Graphic Novels put together by the Excelsior Award's Paul Register, and Chaos or Collection?: Selecting and Managing Graphic Novels in Your School Library written by Neena Morris. 

Book Week Scotland Resources

Happy Book Week Scotland! Apologies for being a little late to the party - we've been caught up in planning events for BWS.  It's great to see all the wonderful events happening all over Scotland this week and it's not too late to mark Book Week Scotland - there are some great resources available on the Scottish Book Trust website.
http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/bws-schools.

World Book Day 2019 - Register by 30 November 2018

Don't forget to register for 2019's World Book Day packs and book tokens - the deadline for registration is 30th November 2018. https://www.worldbookday.com/registernow/
There are some good resources on the site so it is worth having a look. We also like the look of 2019's £1 books, including titles by Rick Riordan, Jeff Kinney and Malorie Blackman, to name but a few.
World Book Day will take place on 7th March 2019.

Applications for Latest Round of School Library Improvement Fund Open

Following the launch of Vibrant Libraries, Thriving Schools: A National Strategy for School Libraries in Scotland 2018-2023, applications are now open for the School Library Improvement Fund (SLIF). £150,000 is available to all state-run schools in Scotland to fund projects in their school libraries. 

There is no minimum or maximum amount for bids although all projects must be completed within twelve months. Applications must be submitted by Friday 14th December.

For more information and details on how to apply, please see the Scottish Library and Information Council website.

First Minister's Reading Challenge Creative Workshop Fund

The Creative Workshop Fund is a grant available through the First Minister's Reading Challenge (FMRC) to help secondary schools build and sustain a reading culture. Schools can apply to receive a grant to create reading projects of their choice, across all curricular areas. The grant includes funding for a workshop or series of workshops with a practitioner, as well as money towards reading materials. 

You must be registered with the FMRC to apply and applications must be submitted by 30th November. 

For more information on how to apply and terms and conditions, please click here: https://www.readingchallenge.scot/creative-workshop-fund/