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Banchory Primary School is a large, inclusive school in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, serving children aged 3–12. With a strong emphasis on pupil voice and independent learning, the school wanted a library platform that could empower students to take ownership of their reading journey while streamlining library management for staff.
We spoke with Jenny Birse, Librarian and ASN lead, about how Reading Cloud helped transform the library into a vibrant, student-led space.
The school’s library was well-used but lacked a digital system that could support student independence and provide staff with meaningful insights. Jenny wanted a solution that would allow pupils to explore books on their own terms, contribute to the library’s development, and make reading more visible across the school.
“We wanted something that would give pupils more ownership—something that felt like their space, not just a room full of books.”
— Jenny Birse, Librarian and ASN Lead
Reading Cloud was introduced to support pupil-led exploration and simplify library operations. Jenny worked with the Customer Success Team to configure the platform around the school’s values of inclusion, independence, and creativity.
The team created Reading Lists aligned to curriculum topics and seasonal themes, enabled student avatars to personalise the experience, and used the custom homepage to showcase pupil reviews and new arrivals. Staff access allowed teachers to track borrowing, recommend titles, and integrate reading into classroom planning.
“The children love seeing their avatars and checking what their friends are reading. It’s created a real buzz around books.”
— Jenny Birse, Librarian and ASN Lead
Pupil ownership: Students now explore the catalogue independently, write reviews, and help shape Reading Lists. The library has become a space for discovery and dialogue.
Staff visibility: Teachers can see what pupils are reading, recommend titles, and align library use with classroom learning.
Curriculum integration: Reading Lists support topic work, seasonal events, and cross-curricular themes, making the library an extension of the classroom.
Community culture: Reading Cloud has helped embed reading into the school’s ethos, with pupils leading the way and staff supporting from behind the scenes.
“It’s no longer just a library—it’s a shared space where reading is celebrated, discussed, and driven by the children themselves.”
— Jenny Birse, Librarian and ASN Lead
Banchory Primary School has created a student-led library experience that reflects its values of independence, inclusion, and creativity. With Reading Cloud, pupils are empowered to explore, contribute, and lead—making reading a visible, vibrant part of school life.
To ignite a love of reading in your school community, you need more than a basic library system. Reading Cloud unites students, staff, and parents, empowering schools to foster independent learning and build a vibrant reading culture with easy-to-use tools.
