YOUNGSTERS who took part in a quest to find Stockton's junior and young librarian of the year will be presented with their awards next week.

Children's Laureate Anne Fine will announce the winners and present the prizes to youngsters who have proved their library skills in Stockton's Junior and Young Librarian 2002.

Over a number of weeks, more than 100 youngsters from 19 primary and secondary schools have been undergoing special training by Stockton Borough Libraries staff, learning how a library is organised, as well as the use of resources within it.

At the same time, they were given the opportunity to make improvements to their own school library.

The scheme enables the participating pupils to become more competent librarians in their school library, by improving their individual library and information skills.

Teachers nominated one pupil per school for the award of Junior Librarian 2002, for primary and special schools, and Young Librarian 2002 for secondary school students.

The award ceremony will take place at Stockton Central Library, next Wednesday.