School Library Association appoints new leader 

VICTORIA DILLY has been appointed CEO of the School Library Association (SLA).

Dilly has worked in the education sector for almost two decades and was a school librarian for 10 years. She has led and developed national programmes for charitable organisations, including the National Literacy Trust, the Royal Horticultural Society and, most recently, at the Speakers Trust.

Dilly said she was “thrilled” to join an organisation “with a rich history of supporting school libraries and helping children discover the joy of reading”.

She continued: “Now, in these financially challenging times, I believe our support to keep libraries an integral part of school life is more important than ever. With children’s reading for pleasure at an all-time low, the role of the school library is even more vital in giving children the chance to reach their full potential.” 

PAUL REGISTER, chair of SLA, added: “ Victoria Dilly is one of those rare things – a person with extensive experience working both in school libraries and in the business and charity sectors. 

“She also has a great deal of passion, drive and heart. I am very positive about the future of the SLA and our ability to serve and represent our members, as well as advocate for school libraries more generally.”