The General Secretariat of The Executive Council of Dubai and Emirates Literature Foundation awarded the 10 winners of the School Librarian of the Year Award for their transformative work in encouraging students to read, develop their creativity and enhance the importance of reading in the schools of the UAE.
The ceremony was held at the InterContinental Hotel, Dubai Festival City alongside the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature and in attendance were Her Highness Sheikha Latifa Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice Chairman, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, Vice Chairman, Emirates Literature Foundation and His Excellency Saeed Al Nabouda, Acting Director General at Dubai Culture. The prizes were presented by His Excellency Abdulla Abdul Rahman Al Shaibani - Secretary General of the Executive Council of Dubai and UK President of the School Library Association and author Kevin Crossley-Holland.
Winners
International School Librarian - Winners:
1. Sheila Seiler - GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi
2. Michelle Plant - JESS Arabian Ranches Secondary
3. Vikki Gilzean - Rashid School for Boys
4. Emma Fisher - JESS Jumeirah
Highly Commended: Kate Riddle Deira International School (Primary)
Prizes
• First Place: Trip to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter for four people, to include flights, accommodation and entry to the studio tour; visit to the British library; visit to a school library in UK; an item of library furniture; voucher for AED 2000 for library books
• Second Place: Visit to Legoland Dubai for four people including two nights’ accommodation at a Dubai hotel and voucher for AED 1500 for library books
• Third place: voucher for AED 1500 for library books
• Fourth place: voucher for AED 1000 for library books
• Highly Commended: voucher for AED 500 library books
Recognising and Honouring Persons of Merit:
HE Abdullah Al Shaibani delivered a speech at the beginning of the ceremony; he said: ‘Today is a very special day! We meet to express our gratitude to some persons who have been, until recently, unknown soldiers. Working silently with passion and humbleness to give their best for our children in school classrooms and outside the classrooms and also reassure that we will never use the term ‘unknown soldiers’ about them after today.
‘We have a bright exemplary leader who is always keen to acknowledge the merit of those who deserve it and honour them wherever they are, whatever their contributions are.’
He also added: ‘No one would question the importance of reading culture on student’s achievements, and on building a positive, balanced and effective personality. Yet few of us realize what the librarian’s efforts provide to our generations.
‘School libraries are ideal ‘sanctuaries’ for children to start wonderful journeys between and through the pages of the books that nurture their lives and imagination equally. Librarians are enhancing that positive spirit, and are leaders who encourage consideration and commitment. Those who open the magic gate that we passed through one day have not returned yet!
Shaibani concluded by congratulating the winners: ‘I congratulate the winners today. For us, all of you are winners from the moment a student, a father, a mother, or a colleague nominated you. That is the moment that should be unforgettable, because it expresses our sincere gratitude.
‘Congratulations to all of you.’
Librarians are the Key to the Success of Writers:
A delighted Abulhoul, said, ‘This award ceremony has been a most extraordinary experience. The enthusiasm of the nominees and the spirit of camaraderie here today at the prize giving is extremely heartening. We should never underestimate the importance of libraries, and especially librarians, as they have been key to the success of many of our favourite writers. As we in the UAE look to build and develop a love of literature and reading, we must look for more ways to support the arts. This award is just the first step to recognising the daily efforts of many who love books and share that message with all those around them. We wish all the winners the best and hope the rest of the shortlisted and nominated librarians continue their exceptional work and enter the competition again next year.’
More than 100 Nominees for School Librarian of the Year Award:
The award ceremony follows the judging of the 100 school librarians whose nominations were announced last December. Out of these, 14 were shortlisted for the final round of judging by Fahad al Mamari, Director of Public Libraries Department, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority Shaikha Al Mehairi, Cultural Research Centre Manager, Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture and Ahmed Al Hashemi, Government Communication, The Executive Council of Dubai, and chairperson Yvette Judge, Chief Operating Officer of Emirates Literature Foundation. The eventual winners were chosen for their influential and creative efforts in inculcating a love of reading among students in their schools.
Panel Discussion:
The ceremony followed an insightful panel discussion on the importance of school librarians with Crossley-Holland, UK President of the School Library Association and author, Fahad al Mamari, Director of Public Libraries Department, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority and Shaikha Al Mehairi, Cultural Research Centre Manager, Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture. They discussed the impact of libraries and librarians to enrich the knowledge of people and to spread the culture and promotion of reading.
View News Headlines
