New Education Authority library system set to transform reading in Northern Ireland schools

(L-R): Martina Reynolds, EA EdIS Project Lead; Richard Pengelly, EA Chief Executive; Frances Meehan EdIS Programme Director; Eve Bremner, EA Chief Education Officer; Seamus Bradley, EA Assistant Director; Mervyn Storey, EA Chairperson; Jane Murphy, Principal of Killicomaine Junior High School; Barney Jenkins, Managing Director Softlink; pictured with pupils of Killicomaine Junior High School, Portadown.

A new and innovative school library system led by the Education Authority (EA) is set to transform how pupils across Northern Ireland access books and digital resources, helping to foster a lifelong love of reading and learning.

The Education Library Management System (ELMS) was officially launched at Killicomaine Junior High School in Portadown, where the library plays a central role in school life and the curriculum.

The event was attended by UK Patron of Reading and children’s author Joffre White, who praised the system’s potential to revolutionise literacy engagement for young people.

“The beating heart of every school should be a library, feeding into all aspects of the curriculum and supporting teaching and learning,” said Mr White.

Frances Meehan, EdIS Programme Director; Joffre White, Author & UK Patron of Reading; Jenny Burke, EdIS Project Delivery Manager at ELMS Launch Event

“I am honoured to support the launch of ELMS to unlock the vast potential of how libraries and access to books can transform a child’s journey. This system will inspire generations of readers to come, while offering equitable access to all children here.”

Equal access to books and digital learning

ELMS, one of the flagship projects under EA’s transformative Education Information Solutions (EdIS) Programme, will soon be rolled out to all schools across Northern Ireland.

The digital platform will give pupils equal access to books, resources, and interactive tools to improve reading skills — regardless of age, ability, or first language.

Designed to support early years, special educational needs (SEN), newcomer families and Irish Medium schools, the system will also enhance digital cataloguing and reporting, allowing more efficient library management.

Frances Meehan, EdIS Programme Director, said the project would strengthen both literacy and wellbeing among pupils.

“ELMS will encourage reading for pleasure, improving reading standards, and enhancing our children’s wellbeing whilst also giving them a wider understanding of the world,” she said.

“Streamlined processes and reporting will allow us to circulate library items more efficiently to get the right books and resources into the hands of children when they need them.”

Transforming school libraries through technology

Pupils of Killicomaine Junior High School pictured with Joffre White, Author and UK Patron of Reading at ELMS Launch Event

The project will be delivered in partnership with Softlink, an internationally acclaimed company with over 40 years’ experience in library technology.

As part of their collaboration, Softlink has also pledged to significantly increase the number of books available to schools for loan.

Barney Jenkins, Softlink’s Director of Business Development and Operations, said:

“Working in conjunction with the Education Authority, we will be delivering a solution for schools that will transform their library, enabling and encouraging library use, generating a reading and research culture across Northern Ireland.”

Phased rollout across all schools

ELMS will be made available to schools in all education sectors, with implementation taking place in phases. Every school in Northern Ireland is expected to have access to the system by the end of 2026.

Throughout the rollout, EA’s Education Library Service will continue to provide its existing support to schools, helping them to maximise the benefits of the new system while maintaining access to traditional services.

The Education Authority believes ELMS will play a pivotal role in transforming how libraries are used in schools — putting reading and learning firmly at the heart of education in Northern Ireland.