Sue Bastone in Librarian of the Year Final
LVS Ascot’s head librarian has been shortlisted to the final six in the prestigious national School Librarian of the Year awards.
Sue Bastone, the school’s hugely popular Learning Resource Centre (LRC) Manager, has made it through the first three rounds of the competition and is one of six finalists in the last round. She will now receive a visit from the awarding committee to decide the overall winner, and is also being considered for the School Library Association’s Honour List.
Sue was nominated jointly by the Headmaster, Graham Best, and by three LVS students, Sam Billington, Tom Buxton and Robert Lever, all enthusiastic members of her fast expanding 14+ Reading Club.
The Year 10 students, along with teachers and Heads of Departments, are delighted that Sue has been shortlisted and say she has made a big difference to their school lives. “Mrs. Bastone is one of the easiest teachers to talk to in the school,” said Tom.
“It is not just her passion for reading, but her passion for encouraging others to read and to learn how to use the library…Our club has become a little bit cooler to attend, gaining ranks among the magazine, sports and drama clubs, all thanks to Mrs B.”
Sue is a familiar face not just in LVS but in school libraries around the area. As Chair of the local branch of her School Library Association, she volunteers in her spare time as a trainer, advisor and mentor for new school librarians in many local schools, such as Claire’s Court in Maidenhead.
She is passionate about the importance of reading and school libraries, and is hoping that her nomination will draw attention to the fact that many schools do not have the libraries and resources they need.
“It is still not compulsory for schools to have libraries,” she says. “I am lucky that LVS is such a supportive school. Some schools do not have the staff or the facilities they need, and I am glad to be able to help in some way and give something back.”
Everyone at LVS will be rallying behind her and keeping their fingers crossed for the finals in April.
