School Librarian Of The Year Award 2017 
In its inaugural year, the School Librarian of the Year Award, organised by the Emirates Literature Foundation and The General Secretariat of The Executive Council of Dubai, received a staggering 100 entries. The top 10 UAE librarians were awarded 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 2017 award ceremony was held at the InterContinental Hotel, Dubai Festival City alongside the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature 2017. 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.
Prizes
- First Place: Trip to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter for 4 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 AED2000 for library books
- Second Place: Visit to Legoland Dubai for 4 people including two nights’ accommodation at a Dubai hotel; voucher for AED1500 for library books
- Third place: Voucher for AED1500 for library books
- Fourth place: voucher for AED1000 for library books
- Highly Commended: voucher for AED500 library books
All four winners, plus the highly commended librarian in each language, were also awarded registration to the 3-day Sharjah International Book Fair/ American Libraries Association conference in November 2017.
Winners
International School Librarian – Winners
| Sheila Seiler | GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi |
| Michelle Plant | JESS Arabian Ranches Secondary |
| Vikki Gilzean | Rashid School for Boys |
| Emma Fisher | JESS Jumeirah |
| Highly Commended: Kate Riddle | Deira International School (Primary) |
Finalists
The finalists from international school libraries were:
| Emma Fisher | JESS Jumeirah, Dubai |
| Kate Riddle | Deira International School, Dubai |
| Margaret Smallpeice | Institute of Applied Technology, Dubai |
| Michelle Plant | JESS Arabian Ranches, Dubai |
| Raghunathan Manheri | The Westminster School, Dubai |
| Sheila Seiler | GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi |
| Vikki Gilzean | Rashid School for Boys, Dubai |
Click here to view the finalists from Arabic language school libraries.
We were thrilled to have received nearly one hundred nominations recognising the achievements of wonderful librarians from all over the UAE:
The nominees from international school libraries were:
| Name of Nominee | School Name | Emirate |
|---|---|---|
| Elle Ryan | Safa Community School | Dubai |
| Amanda Lamond | Repton School | Dubai |
| Christine Malinowski | Greenfield Community School | Dubai |
| Damian Morgan | Australian International School | Sharjah |
| Emma Fisher | JESS Jumeirah | Dubai |
| Fatmeh Othman Al Foot | Al Dhafra Private School – Al Ain | Abu Dhabi |
| Gaelene Clarke | Dubai College | Dubai |
| Judith Bonner | Jumeirah College | Dubai |
| Kate Riddle | Deira International School | Dubai |
| Lesley Donnachie | Cranleigh | Abu Dhabi |
| Madhu Badhe | Kings’ School Al Barsha | Dubai |
| Madhur Khare | GEMS Modern Academy | Dubai |
| Margaret Smallpeice | Applied Technology High School | Dubai |
| Michelle Plant | JESS Arabian Ranches | Dubai |
| Mireille Najjar | Horizon Private School | Abu Dhabi |
| Mittu Jayakrishnan | Gulf Indian School Dubai | Dubai |
| Najwa Deeb | Abu Dhabi International Private School | Abu Dhabi |
| Nihal Hassan | Wesgreen International School | Sharjah |
| Nosheen Saba Khan | King’s School Nad Al Sheba | Dubai |
| Ofelia Gulerez | Deira Private School | Dubai |
| Paddy Mullen | The British School Al Khubairat | Abu Dhabi |
| Pam Warkup | Fujairah Private Academy | Fujairah |
| Raghunathan Manheri | The Westminster School | Dubai |
| Reefat Nurmohamed | Jumeirah Primary School | Dubai |
| Saleem Ayyanath | Delhi Private School Dubai (Senior School) | Dubai |
| Sanam Bozorgi | The Arcadia Preparatory School | Dubai |
| Sheila Seiler | GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi |
| Simi Jaiphar | Gulf Model School | Dubai |
| Suha AlQaruty | Brighton College Al Ain | Al Ain |
| Susane joseph | Raffles International School | Dubai |
| Tamara Button | American Community School | Abu Dhabi |
| Tracy Ammoury | Dubai English Speaking School | Dubai |
| Veena Malapil | Delhi Private School Dubai (Junior School) | Dubai |
| Vikki Gilzean | Rashid School for Boys | Dubai |
Please click here to view the winners, finalists and nominees from Arabic language school libraries
What our attendees are saying
“Words cannot describe how wonderful it feels to be recognised for the library program I’ve created in our little school.”
Sheila Seiler, 1st Place Winner 2017
“I think that… the School Librarian of the Year event, including the panel, was superlative, and a wonderful shot in the arm for people and a profession often undervalued.”
Kevin Crossley-Holland, Chair of the UK School Library Association (2012-17)
“It was an honour to work with you. I view it as an enriching experience. I thank you all for inviting me and for the organization and patience.”
Shaikha Al Muhairi, Judge
“A huge thank you for a wonderful evening and I was very pleased to receive third prize.”
Vikki Gilzean, 3rd Place Winner
“A massive thank you for such a wonderful time at the Librarian of the Year Ceremony. It was the most lovely event, a great discussion, the food was amazing and it was great to meet other librarians. I was so happy to receive my award and feel proud to have been a part of it all.”
Kate Riddle, Highly Commended
“Librarians are often overlooked and underfunded as was made clear last night. It was delightful to hear such approbation for school librarians.”
Judith Bonner, Nominee
In the News
