Northampton Librarian Wins Coveted Secondary School Librarian of the Year Award

In a heartwarming moment, Julie Broadbent, a librarian at Northampton International Academy, was recently awarded the prestigious 2025 Secondary School Librarian of the Year Award. Broadbent, who has dedicated 25 years to her profession, was recognized for her exceptional contributions to the school community and her unwavering commitment to fostering a love of reading in students.

The School Library Association, which runs the annual awards, commended Broadbent for "creating a culture of positivity" and transforming the school library into a warm, inclusive space that caters to the diverse needs of the student body. Broadbent's unique ability to connect with young people and inspire them to explore new literary horizons has had a profound impact, with many students sharing stories of how she helped them discover new interests and develop greater confidence in their academic abilities.

Executive head teacher Martin Serrão praised Broadbent's "unique ability to connect with pupils, understand their individual needs and inspire a lifelong love of reading." The school's recent collaboration with The McCarthy-Dixon Foundation on an intergenerational stories project, where students meet with older people to share tales, was also highlighted as one of Broadbent's proudest achievements as a professional librarian.