Sandringham

THE artistic vision of one St Albans schoolgirl was rewarded at the Schools Library Service (SLS) open day.

Year 8 pupil Ellen Baldwin from Sandringham School in The Ridgeway, came runner-up in a countywide competition that challenged pupils to draw or paint their vision of what their school library might be like in the 21st Century.

Book critic and broadcaster Julia Eccleshare presented prizes to winners at the award ceremony held during Hertfordshire County Council's SLS open day.

The event on Wednesday last week at the SLS base in New Barnfield, Hatfield, was open to staff from schools across the county and highlighted the new library and internet packages on offer.

As well as the prize giving, the results of a second competition which asked pupils to name their favourite book of the 20th Century were revealed.

After all the hype it came as little surprise when the winner turned out to be J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

Chairman of the county council's information and access committee Councillor Derrick Ashley said: 'This department provides an invaluable service to schools throughout Hertfordshire, as well as further afield.'