Hello! My name is Diane Fleming and I was the School Librarian at Halewood Academy, which is a Secondary School in Knowsley, Liverpool. I worked there for over 22 years and was the Librarian for the last 12 years. I am also a mum of two (now grown up children) and a grandmother to an 18 month old little girl.

I have always enjoyed reading and read to my children from when they were toddlers, with bedtime stories every night! My grand-daughter has her own mini library at our house and she loves being read to and reading ‘lift the flap’ books. It is a joy to see her concentrate and enjoy the books.

In my job I know the importance and value of books as a resource to learn from. I endeavour to instil a love of reading and encourage reading for pleasure amongst our students.

My daughter Chloe is a Children’s Nurse at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool. She has therefore seen first-hand what cash raised by schools such as ours through Readathons, can do to help make sick children’s stays in hospital a little easier by entertaining them and helping to take their minds off their problems. As Chloe says.

‘As a children’s nurse at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, I have the pleasure of seeing how books provided to the children and their families have such a positive impact. It allows the children to make choices regarding which book they would like to read, which is empowering for them. It also provides a much needed escape for both the child and their family at a difficult time for them. A lot of parents cannot be with their child at all times during their stay at hospital. Having books available is always a nice way for myself and other professionals such as Student Nurses and Play Specialists to interact with the children, reading them a story to help keep them entertained. Books are often used as a form of distraction whilst certain procedures are carried out. As someone who has grown up around books and loving reading, it really means a lot to see the children in my care have the chance to have access to books and enjoy reading’.

Diane Fleming

Retired Librarian 

Halewood Academy