Marita with Librarian Paula Agnew and English Teachers from Slemish College

October is always a busy month for Children’s Writers and I found myself Ballymena bound to visit Slemish College Secondary School.  Hearing all about its marvellous library which has become the heart of the school I really felt I had to come and visit it.

Librarian Paula Agnew has made the library a very special place for all the students, who told me how much they use it and go there even during lunch breaks. I’m not surprised as its array and display of books would put many a bookshop to shame.

I met all the lovely teachers from the English Department and talked to groups of students, many of them brilliant readers with some really keen to write and create their own books.

The fact we were in the large library made it extra special as libraries are one of my favourite places. 

Traveling back to Dublin on the train I was a tired but happy writer and was absolutely thrilled with the beautiful gift of a hawthorn print that the school presented me with.

The students of Slemish College, Ballymena Marita with librarian Paula Agnew