SLA Annual Conference 2026

Schedule

Fri, 05 Jun, 2026 at 10:00 am to Sat, 06 Jun, 2026 at 04:00 pm

UTC+01:00

Location

University of Winchester | Winchester, EN

Advertisement
The 2026 SLA Conference will be held on 5th and 6th June at the University of Winchester, Hampshire.
This is the only conference of its kind in the UK focused solely on school libraries and bringing together school librarians and school staff from across primary and secondary, state and independent schools and sixth form settings.
The theme for 2026 is ‘Changing Narratives’ – a timely and important focus as we celebrate a National Year of Reading, a campaign seeking to transform attitudes to reading across the nation.
We are all aware of the often negative narratives around children and young people’s reading, learning and wellbeing. The 2026 conference will explore how school libraries and school librarians have the power to change these narratives, offering an all-important antidote to many of the challenges facing school communities today.
Delegates will hear from a range of key voices in the sector, with workshops including interactive learning opportunities for skills development that will enable new ways of working to be implemented in school, alongside exploration of new research and strategies to both reflect on, and elevate, professional practice. Our aim is to inspire new thinking and a solution-focused approach to ensure children and young people can reach their full potential.
As we bring our members and colleagues in the sector together, opportunities for networking, sharing best practice and meeting exhibitors will be on the agenda.
On the 2025 SLA Conference:
“Excellent conference again - each year it gives me the boost I need to plan for another year ahead. So inspiring and reassuring.”
“It's an invaluable event that connects library staff with each other and suppliers. No other organisation caters for school library staff like the SLA.”
“I had such a brilliant time at the last SLA conference that I knew I had to attend again this year. The combination of learning, inspiration, and community made it an experience I didn’t want to miss. The keynotes were thought-provoking and energising, the author sessions were a real highlight, and the exhibitors brought so many fresh ideas and resources to explore, it felt like a real celebration of what school libraries can be.”
The SLA Annual Conference offers a valuable training opportunity and a chance to reinvigorate your practice.
Book now to take advantage of our super early bird weekend rate:
https://bit.ly/4l6zMbO
Super Early Bird: £205 + VAT weekend ticket (members) / £295 + VAT weekend ticket (non-members)
Day tickets available at standard rate of £145 + VAT (members) / £185 + VAT (non-members)
Details of how to book Friday night's celebration dinner are coming soon.
Join the SLA today to benefit from the discounted member rates: https://bit.ly/4lONSzD
Advertisement

Where is it happening?

University of Winchester, Notemachine, Winchester, SO22 4, United Kingdom

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Icon
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
School Library Association (UK)

Host or Publisher School Library Association (UK)

Ask AI if this event suits you:

Discover More Events in Winchester

2026 Winchester Cheese and Chilli Festival
Sat, 06 Jun at 10:00 am 2026 Winchester Cheese and Chilli Festival

North Walls Recreation Ground

MISCELLANEOUS
Hot Gossip & Scandals guided walking tour
Sat, 06 Jun at 02:30 pm Hot Gossip & Scandals guided walking tour

Winchester Visitor Information Centre

2026 Winchester Cheese and Chilli Festival
Sun, 07 Jun at 10:00 am 2026 Winchester Cheese and Chilli Festival

North Walls Recreation Ground

MISCELLANEOUS
Mindful Eating, Moving & Playing - Meditation Made Fun
Sun, 07 Jun at 10:30 am Mindful Eating, Moving & Playing - Meditation Made Fun

Hotel Chocolat

MEDITATION HEALTH-WELLNESS
Medieval Jewish Winchester guided walking tour
Sun, 07 Jun at 01:30 pm Medieval Jewish Winchester guided walking tour

Winchester Visitor Information Centre

CIPFA Wessex Conference 2026
Mon, 23 Feb at 08:30 am CIPFA Wessex Conference 2026

Ashburton Hall

BUSINESS CONFERENCES
HHFT Maternity Engagement Event
Thu, 26 Feb at 10:00 am HHFT Maternity Engagement Event

Royal Hampshire County Hospital

The Science of Psychedelics with Dr David Luke
Mon, 02 Mar at 07:00 pm The Science of Psychedelics with Dr David Luke

Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium

HEALTH-WELLNESS NONPROFIT
Transforming Joint Pain Care with Arthrosamid
Wed, 04 Mar at 06:00 pm Transforming Joint Pain Care with Arthrosamid

Winchester Racquets and Fitness

Contractors' Forum
Thu, 05 Mar at 09:30 am Contractors' Forum

Ashburton Hall, Ground Floor

BUSINESS
Winning in Business and Sport
Thu, 05 Mar at 04:30 pm Winning in Business and Sport

Winchester Rugby Club

SPORTS
HCC Primary Headteacher's Conference
Fri, 06 Mar at 08:00 am HCC Primary Headteacher's Conference

Winchester Guildhall

BUSINESS CONFERENCES
SCHHA Annual General Meeting
Fri, 06 Mar at 07:30 pm SCHHA Annual General Meeting

Shawford Parish Hall

MEETUPS
RIBA Hampshire Heritage Lecture by Pritchard Architecture
Wed, 11 Mar at 06:00 pm RIBA Hampshire Heritage Lecture by Pritchard Architecture

Hampshire Archives and Local Studies

ART THEATRE
Southern Innovation Catalyst
Tue, 17 Mar at 04:00 pm Southern Innovation Catalyst

The University of Winchester, West Downs Campus

HEALTH-WELLNESS ART
Wessex Cyclo Cross AGM 2026
Wed, 18 Mar at 07:00 pm Wessex Cyclo Cross AGM 2026

South Downs Social

Finance for Innovation
Thu, 19 Mar at 09:30 am Finance for Innovation

voco Winchester Hotel & Spa

BUSINESS CHARITIES
Winchester City Council Landlords forum
Fri, 20 Mar at 10:00 am Winchester City Council Landlords forum

voco Winchester Hotel & Spa, an IHG Hotel

BUSINESS
Adventures to the Southern Hemisphere - Talks by Dan Snow and Ed Rochead
Tue, 24 Mar at 07:00 pm Adventures to the Southern Hemisphere - Talks by Dan Snow and Ed Rochead

New Hall, 34 College Walk, Winchester, UK

PERFORMANCES TRIPS-ADVENTURES

What's Happening Next in Winchester?

Discover Winchester Events