New CEO for School Library Association

Victoria Dilly has been appointed Chief Executive Officer at School Library Association (SLA) and brings extensive experience of leading national education and training programmes in the charity sector and within schools. 

Victoria has worked in the Education sector for almost 20 years and for the last seven years has led and developed national programmes for charitable organisations, including National Literacy Trust, Speakers Trust and the Royal Horticultural Society. Most recently, at Speakers Trust she managed the delivery of the UK’s largest national public speaking programme for young people, supporting oracy education. Before joining the charity sector she was a school librarian for 10 years. 

The SLA, which has been running since 1937, supports schools to develop their school library, establish a reading culture and deliver independent learning skills. Reading for pleasure can change children’s lives and future prospects. The SLA works with members to ensure that no child gets left behind on their reading journey. One in seven primary schools in the UK does not have a library, a figure that rises to one in four in the most disadvantaged communities. SLA’s vision is that all schools should have their own staffed library to help all children and young people fulfil their potential.  

Victoria Dilly, CEO of SLA, said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the SLA, an organisation that has a rich history of supporting school libraries and helping children discover the joy of reading. I’m looking forward to building on this legacy with fresh ideas and working with members and colleagues in the sector to grow our reach and impact. School libraries are hubs of learning and those who work in them play a key role in supporting children’s personal, social and academic development. 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, said: “Myself and the other SLA trustees cast a wide net in our efforts to find the best candidate for the SLA CEO and I firmly believe we have achieved that. Victoria Dilly is one of those rare things – a person with extensive experience of 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. We can’t wait to start working with Victoria and we are very excited for what lies ahead for the SLA in 2025.” 

ENDS

Notes to Editors 

For further enquiries or to arrange an interview contact Jo Campbell: publicity@sla.org.uk

About School Library Association (SLA) The School Library Association (SLA) is a not-for-profit which supports schools develop their school library, establish a reading culture and deliver independent learning skills. We support schools with resources and training to ensure that no child gets left behind on their reading journey. School libraries provide precious opportunities for children to learn about who they are, and who they could be. Reading can deliver a range of skills, and inquiry can build independent learning skills vital for lifelong self-sufficiency. We believe that all schools should have their own staffed library to help all children and young people fulfil their potential. 
For more information visit: www.sla.org.uk