The SLG is one of the largest groups in CILIP and so has an important role in the organisation, influencing its growth and future success. It is consulted when CILIP are approached by the Government, Ofsted or the press
about matters of education and school libraries, and the committee discusses national initiatives.
Committee members are elected for a term of office of three years. Members may serve two consecutive terms of office (i.e. six years) and then must step down for a minimum period of one year. Officers are elected for a
term of one year and there is no restriction on the number of consecutive years someone may serve as an officer (subject to the overall limit on the two terms of office). A term of office follows the calendar year - unless specifically invited, nominations will be taken in December for the following year. If you would like to express your interest in joining the Committee, please contact the Secretary in the first instance. secretary.slg@cilip.org.uk
All members are expected to contribute fully during their time of office, attending the four committee meetings run each year as well as the AGM. Some meetings are held via Zoom and some will be in person. The
AGM is held annually either as part of a training day or as part of the bi-annual conference. The nomination form requires the signed assent of line managers and / or head teachers to attend meetings during term time.
SLG Committee 2025
Caroline Roche - Chair
Caroline Roche has been a school librarian for 30 years. During that time she has worked in four schools, both state and independent, rebuilding and refurbishing school libraries. She was Chair of SLG in the time leading up to Covid, where she worked with Nick Poole to help formulate the procedures to keep librarians safe when they returned to work. When she finished her first 6 year stint as Chair, she spent two years off the Committee, returning to be the Chair again in May 2024. She continues to support the GSL Campaign, which she helped to launch with Nick Poole and Alison Tarrant, co-chairing with Alison for a while at the start. She also ran the Heart of the School website for over ten years. She was awarded Honorary Fellowship of CILIP in 2023.
Barbara Band - Treasurer
Barbara is a qualified Chartered Librarian who, having worked for over thirty years in a wide range of school libraries now offers freelance consultancy, training and advice services. She also publishes regularly, having written several guidelines for the SLA, SLG Key Issues, co-authored 'Creating a School Library with Impact' and is publishing a Facet book on school library advocacy and promotion in 2025.
Barbara is also editor of the SLG newsletter, Chair and founder of the UK PLAA Award and Chair/Treasurer of the Library Services Trust. A former CILIP Past President and Vice Chair of the Great School Libraries campaign, she is passionate about the value and benefits that libraries can bring both to schools and the wider community.
Dr Carol Webb - Secretary
Gareth Evans - Social Media and Web Officer
Gareth Evans is the School Librarian at Abbeyfield School, where he oversees the Learning Resource Centre (LRC), providing students with access to over 8,000 physical books, eBooks, and digital resources. The LRC also includes the Zen Room, a sensory-reduced space designed to support student wellbeing, which was developed by pupil Megan Urmston as part of her winning project for the UK Pupil Library Assistant of the Year Award in 2023.
Beyond Abbeyfield, Gareth actively contributes to the school library profession as the Social Media and Web Officer for the CILIP School Libraries Group (SLG), where he shares insights on literacy, library management, and reading engagement. He has also served as a judge for the Carnegie Book Awards and The Diverse Book Awards, helping to highlight exceptional literature for young readers. His experiences as a judge have reinforced his commitment to promoting diverse and inclusive literature in schools.
Charlotte Cole - Publicity Officer
Prity Shah - EDI Officer
I began my career in school libraries in 1999, following a background in the commercial business sector before starting my family. I studied Business at university and later achieved my CILIP Chartership in 2015. With over 25 years of experience in school libraries, I have gained a wealth of knowledge, particularly through witnessing the digital revolution in school librarianship.
I have had the opportunity to work in both independent and state schools, contributing to the development of three distinct school environments. Since January 2021, I have been an active committee member of the CILIP School Libraries Group, where I contribute to initiatives that support the profession.
I truly enjoy my role as a school librarian, and my involvement with SLG has greatly enhanced my understanding of the profession’s impact on young lives. Additionally, I am a member of the CILIP BAME Network and am responsible for updating and disseminating information on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion from CILIP to the SLG.
Being involved with SLG has been an enriching experience, helping me grow professionally and personally. I encourage others to engage with SLG to foster growth and evolve within the
profession!
Mary Rose Grieve - Great School Libraries Representative
Jenni Blackford - School Libraries Group UK Pupil Library Assistant of the Year Awards Representative
Jenni is Head of Library Services and Curator of Collections at Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet. Jenni studied Archaeology and Anthropology at Keble College, Oxford before gaining an MA in Museum Studies at the University of Leicester leading to a career in both libraries and heritage organisations. Her library career began working in public libraries and then in 2014 Jenni worked with two co-Directors to launch the first ever St Albans Literary Festival, organising the programme for children, young adults and schools. Helping to foster a love for reading in young people encouraged her to apply for roles in school libraries and she continues to advocate for reading for pleasure in her role as committee member for the CILIP Schools Library Group. Alongside her work in the Queen’s Library Jenni takes care of the school archive, organising and digitising material for access by students, staff, OE’s and the wider community.
Helen Blackwell - Committee Member
Anaïs Cayzac- Committee Member
My name is Anaïs Cayzac, and I’m “AH NICE!” (yes, that’s how you say it!)—a French school librarian working in Glasgow, Scotland. My students insist I live up to the name, and I like to think they’re right!
Fueled by black coffee or a cup of premium tea (don’t even think about offering me English breakfast with milk!), I bring a deep passion for fostering literacy, inspiring lifelong learning, and turning libraries into vibrant, inclusive spaces where communities come alive. With over a decade of international experience in library management and community engagement, I’ve dedicated my career to transforming libraries into dynamic hubs of creativity and connection.
Along the way, I’ve launched innovative programs that skyrocketed student engagement, led literacy initiatives across Glasgow secondary schools, and reimagined library spaces to meet the diverse needs of the communities I serve. Advocacy and social media are close to my heart—I love using these tools to amplify diverse voices, promote literacy, and connect with audiences far and wide.
Currently working toward my CILIP chartership, I’m thrilled to join the SLG CILIP group and look forward to growing, learning, and, why not, both inspiring and being inspired by fellow colleagues!
Marianne de Giovanni - Committee Member
Marianne’s background is originally in forensic science, archaeology and teaching. She decided the best use of such skills: attention to detail, love of storytelling and working with young people would be as a school librarian. Now, having worked in both state and independent schools and enjoyed both for different reasons, she currently works in an all through independent school (4-18) and leads the whole school library service and integration of information literacy across the school. As a proud recipient of the CILIP 125 Marianne’s interests are in developing or reconfiguring libraries that struggle with difficult circumstances and her focus is on demonstrating the value that a school librarian can bring to the learning outcomes in a school. Marianne is passionate about advocating for librarians to be seen as a critical partner in all schools to develop student learning.
Kate Garnett - Committee Member
Kate Garnett has been a dedicated School Librarian for nearly 20 years, with extensive experience in the independent sector. Previously working in Guernsey, she has recently relocated and is currently the Head Librarian at a co-educational school in London, where she oversees both the prep school and senior school libraries with a library team of two librarians and a graduate librarian trainee. She is particularly enthusiastic about promoting School Librarianship as a professional career path and building links and networks with others to promote the sector and to provide opportunities for placements and career development for early career librarians. Kate is also interested in how school librarians build a sense of library 'community' among third place users who see school as their second space and how to manage the overlap between the two in terms of expectations, behaviour and engagement and ensuring everyone sees themselves as part of the library community.
Alice Leggatt - Committee Member
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