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earmstronglib.bsky.social
Eileen Armstrong
@earmstronglib.bsky.social
590 followers 320 following 300 posts
Chartered School Librarian, SLE Literacy, former School Library Association Chair, previous Carnegie Greenaway judge, North East Book Awards organiser
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earmstronglib.bsky.social
parkrunning in the rain #parkrun
January 17, 2026 at 11:25 AM
Reposted by Eileen Armstrong
sla.org.uk
2026 has begun with a busy and exciting week at the SLA! Christmas is a happy memory and we are gearing up to launch our #NationalYearofReading Toolkit next week, as well as some excellent upcoming events: bit.ly/4bwLhb4 📚 How has the new term started for you? #GoAllIn2026 #BookSkyUK
January 9, 2026 at 3:55 PM
earmstronglib.bsky.social
‘We want people to sit, pause, relax’: National Trust to open its libraries for public use www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
‘We want people to sit, pause, relax’: National Trust to open its libraries for public use
Charity plans to make stately homes more welcoming by inviting visitors to use furniture and reading rooms
www.theguardian.com
January 13, 2026 at 12:59 PM
Reposted by Eileen Armstrong
lucasjmaxwell.bsky.social
A #readingforpleasure challenge for older students as part of the #NationalYearofReading2026
glenthornelrc.blogspot.com/2026/01/6-in...
#goallin
January 9, 2026 at 6:31 PM
Reposted by Eileen Armstrong
jonnybid.bsky.social
Being part of the team who put together the @empathylabuk.bsky.social Read for Empathy collection is always a pleasure. This year's list is out on Thu 5th Feb and one of the strongest yet. Do explore the previous collections and sign up for more information. empathylab.uk
January 4, 2026 at 1:30 PM
earmstronglib.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Excessive screen time limits vocabulary of toddlers, experts warn
Children aged two with highest screen use can say significantly fewer words, UK government research finds
www.theguardian.com
January 12, 2026 at 7:18 AM
earmstronglib.bsky.social
Christmas reading
January 11, 2026 at 3:36 PM
Reposted by Eileen Armstrong
schoolreadinglist.bsky.social
A list of annual children's & YA book festivals and events for schools, teachers and parents to look out for. schoolreadinglist.co.uk/competitions... #kidlit #ukedchat
Children's Book Festivals and Events
Children's book festivals - our calendar of events running annually in the UK which schools and individuals can take part in. 
schoolreadinglist.co.uk
January 11, 2026 at 8:52 AM
Reposted by Eileen Armstrong
literacyengine.bsky.social
With Curriculum Cogs, we took the entire KS3 national curriculum for Geography, History, & Science and created extended reading packs for every single topic. There really is no excuse for driving reading from our classrooms.
#GetReadingIntoIt!

literacyengine.co.uk/index.php/cu...
January 11, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Reposted by Eileen Armstrong
ljwattswales.bsky.social
I haven’t boosted this for some time so, as starter packs are having a renaissance, here is the UK School Librarians one which I do my best to keep up to date

go.bsky.app/5zhmETr
January 11, 2026 at 11:44 AM
Reposted by Eileen Armstrong
cilipslg.bsky.social
📚 National Year of Reading | From Research to Reality Talks and SLG AGM 2026

Free Online Event
🗓️ Mon 16 Feb | 6.30–8.30pm
✨ with talks from Barbara Band and Professor Teresa Cremin

Sign Up: 🔗 www.cilip.org.uk/events/Event...

#NationalYearOfReading #SLGAGM #ReadingForPleasure @cilip.bsky.social
January 11, 2026 at 11:10 AM
Reposted by Eileen Armstrong
cilipslg.bsky.social
📚 Power of School Libraries: Quote of the Week

We’re excited to share our first weekly, Power of School Libraries quote, collected from students and school staff across the UK for the National Year of Reading.

#PowerOfSchoolLibraries #ReadingForLife #NationalYearOfReading @cilip.bsky.social
January 11, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Reposted by Eileen Armstrong
cilipslg.bsky.social
📚 SLG Book of the Week!

Each week during the National Year of Reading, we highlight a Children’s or YA book chosen by our SLG Committee Members. Perfect additions to your school library! Welcome to our first SLG Book of the Week.

#SLGBookOfTheWeek #NationalYearOfReading @cilip.bsky.social
January 11, 2026 at 11:41 AM
earmstronglib.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/columni...
Book of the year? Ask my son | The Observer
He considers Bunny Vs Monkey: Intergalactic Monkey Business to be ‘the best yet’ in the cartoon series
observer.co.uk
January 11, 2026 at 12:01 PM
Reposted by Eileen Armstrong
tomgauld.bsky.social
A new year cartoon for @theguardian.com books
Title: The five stages of coming to terms with an over ambitious reading resolution. A couple sit up in bed reading. The woman speaks and her partner is silent. 1. Denial. "No, Finishing a book every 2.75 days is not absurd!" She scowls. 2. Anger. "Why are these books all so long!!!" She looks fuirious. 3. Bargaining. "If you read a book and tell me about it, that counts right?" She looks at her partner pleadingly. 4. Depression. "All joy has fled yet my failure persists!" She is sunk in the covers. 5. Acceptance "Being at one with the art is all that matters" she says as she reads. Then adds "And next year I'm going to be at one with so much more art!"
January 4, 2026 at 11:27 AM
Reposted by Eileen Armstrong
barbarableiman.bsky.social
A fabulous round-up of children's books of 2025 on @booksforkeeps.bsky.social website, by people who know the world of kidlit publishing inside out. Plenty of great options for young volitional readers & choices for classrooms! @reeceandrea.bsky.social booksforkeeps.co.uk/article/book...
Books of the Year 2025 – Books For Keeps
booksforkeeps.co.uk
December 31, 2025 at 12:45 PM
earmstronglib.bsky.social
www.penguin.co.uk/discover/art...
14 fun reading challenges to set yourself this year
Explore new genres, connect with friends and make exciting new discoveries with our suggestions for new reading challenges this year.
www.penguin.co.uk
January 3, 2026 at 10:22 AM
Reposted by Eileen Armstrong
bookclubsinschools.bsky.social
Happy New Year and welcome to the National Year of Reading 📚

Our new website is live, with FREE resources for 60+ books for state schools. Visit bookclubsinschools.org for ideas for primary, secondary & AP. 🧵1/5

#GoAllIn #NationalYearOfReading #ReadingForPleasure #KIdLitUK
Featured books. Covers of Crook Haven, Loki, and Supa Nova. Buy with a 35%-40% discount.
January 2, 2026 at 1:50 PM
earmstronglib.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Wolverhampton libraries: 'All children are still into Roald Dahl'
The Guinness Book of Records is a favourite with boys, but one author always tops the list.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 1, 2026 at 1:36 PM
earmstronglib.bsky.social
Running into 2026 #parkrun
January 1, 2026 at 1:15 PM
Reposted by Eileen Armstrong
tomgauld.bsky.social
Happy New Year, everyone!

This is a @theguardian.com books cartoon from a few years ago.
Title: New year's resolution A man sits at a table with a coffee writing in a notebook: “This year i will devote myself completely to reading serious, improving literature, forsaking easy pleasures and tirelessly seeking out truth and profundity in the work of the greatest writers.” He looks at it Says: Hmm... then “Scratch Scratch Scratch scratch” scribbles out words until the text reads: “This year I will read for Fun”
January 1, 2026 at 10:53 AM
earmstronglib.bsky.social
The Guardian view on the National Year of Reading 2026: time to start a healthy habit for life | Editorial www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on the National Year of Reading 2026: time to start a healthy habit for life | Editorial
Editorial: A Children’s Booker prize, library cards for newborns and a major campaign – initiatives to encourage a love of books in children are a cause for celebration
www.theguardian.com
December 30, 2025 at 2:12 PM
earmstronglib.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/opinion...
Far from being past their shelf life, libraries are essen...
These vital institutions can launch businesses and reduce the need for social care
observer.co.uk
December 29, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Reposted by Eileen Armstrong
tomgauld.bsky.social
'My year end reading statistics' (originally for @theguardian.com books).
p.s There's still time to pick up new book Physics for Cats at good bookshops and online www.tomgauld.com/comic-books-v2
Title: My year-end reading statistics. Five diagrams detailing the reading habits of a rather lazy reader.
December 18, 2025 at 11:50 AM