The Information Book Award was established in 2010 to reinforce the importance of information books and celebrate the high standard of titles available. There are three separate age categories:

• Under 7s
• Ages 8-12
• Ages 13-16

The award is administered by the School Library Association and judged by a panel that includes experienced librarians. Winners are selected for each category and there is also an Overall Winner.

The Children’s Choice Award provides young readers with the opportunity to ‘shadow’ the judging and vote for their own category and overall winners. The SLA produces free resources for schools and reading groups to support this.

Schools can also apply to be part of the Information Book Award Book Club. Members of the book club receive a free set of the shortlisted titles for a relevant category and are asked to share their experience of using the shortlist in their school library or classroom.

See the shortlist announcement for the Information Book Award 2024.

Timetable:

• The deadline for applying to the IBA Book Club is in mid May.
• The shortlist is announced in June and shadowing for the Children’s Choice Award starts.
• Voting for the Children’s Choice Award closes on Friday 18th October 2024.
• The winners of the Information Book Award and the Children’s Choice Award is announced in November.

Cost: Free.

About the School Library Association:  The School Library Association (SLA) is a not-for-profit organisation that supports schools to develop their school library, establish a reading culture and deliver independent learning skill in order to help all children and young people fulfil their potential.  In addition, the SLA undertakes research into the benefits of school library provision and campaigns for all schools in the UK to have their own (or shared) staffed library.