Library Online

What is the Carnegie Medal?

The Carnegie Medal is awarded annually to the writer of an outstanding book for children.

It was established by in 1936, in memory of the great Scottish-born philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919). Carnegie was a self-made industrialist who made his fortune in steel in the USA. His experience of using a library as a child led him to resolve that “if ever wealth came to me that it should be used to establish free libraries.”

Carnegie set up more than 2800 libraries across the English speaking world and, by the time of his death, over half the library authorities in Great Britain had Carnegie libraries.

First awarded to Arthur Ransome for ‘Pigeon Post’, the winner receives a golden medal and £500 worth of books to donate to a library of their choice.

The medal is awarded by CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals.

Have a look at the official website for more information.

What is “shadowing”?

Each year schools are encouraged to take part in Carnegie Shadowing. When the shortlist is announced, students all over the country, led by librarians and teachers, read the books and come to their own decisions about what they think about them. The official judges have the final say, but students enjoy sharing their reviews and often have brilliant and heated discussions about their favourite books on the list. They then wait eagerly to find out the result – announced usually in June.

What are we doing at the Dixie Grammar School in 2013?

In the past, we have shadowed the Carnegie Medal in the Summer Term. A group of students were invited to read the books shortlisted for this prestigious award. They met regularly to discuss the books and write reviews. The reviews were then posted on the official website and entered for a competition. We also hoped to make links to other schools to discuss the shortlisted books. Unfortunately, we are not taking part this year as Mrs Robinson has been ill and has lost her voice. However, the shortlisted books have been purchased for the Senior School Library and are available for students to read and enjoy.

Official Carnegie Shadowing Site

Past Carnegie Medal Winners – have you read any of these books?