PEOPLE 60
seconds with...
Zoey Dixon (@Zoey_Dixon) is Development Librarian: Digital, Information and Channel Shift and Community Hub Libraries Manager at Lambeth Libraries. Zoey says: I split my time (well at least I try to) between two roles in Lambeth Libraries. My Develop- ment Librarian position sees me look after the online information offer, our digital services such as e-books and all the social media accounts. Along with my interest in STEM and being aware of the excit- ing digital offers that were taking place around the work in public libraries, I have started coding clubs for kids and adults.
For my library manager role, I manage four libraries using a new
Career advice – what’s your top tip?
Say yes. More often than not, good things will happen if you open yourself to new opportuni- ties. And if it doesn’t quite work out, it was an experience you can learn from.
Best professional achievement? Most recently, I’d say being a judge for the CILIP Carnegie & Kate Greenaway Children’s Book awards, but previously it was everything that was connected with Fun Palaces.
I managed to secure Arts Council funding to deliver Fun Palaces in all 10 Lambeth libraries in 2015. Al- though not the first library to take part (some had already done so in 2014, the first year), we were the first local authority to have all the libraries become one.
From this, I appeared on live TV to give an interview (to this day I refuse to watch myself). I gave a presentation at The Reading Agency’s reading partners and publishers meeting; wrote about
March 2019
my experience for online blogs and, along with Stella Duffy, I delivered a workshop at the Arts in Libraries National Symposium in Leeds Public Library.
It has been fantastic to see so many libraries take part in Fun Palaces over the years, and it really gave me lots of new skills and helped me develop as a librarian.
Worst professional moment? I’ve taken a bit of a different spin on this. My worst moments tend to be how I can sometimes be treated as a young black woman (I look younger than I am) by members of the public who don’t respect my position, experience or knowledge, and therefore easily dismiss me and defer to my older, less experienced colleagues.
What CILIP member networks do you belong to?
I belong to Youth Libraries Group – London and I sit on the committee.
model of delivering a library service. As it is a new way of working it has been a great opportunity to chal- lenge myself and given me more of an insight in how to run a success- ful library.
I was a Children and Young Peo- ple’s Librarian for ten years. I still deliver lots of children’s services in my manager role as I don’t think I could ever give it up!
Zoey is a member of the Carnegie & Kate Greenaway Children’s Book Awards judging panel. In the next issue of IP, we talk to Zoey about her role as a judge and why people should consider getting involved and apply to be the CKG judges of the future.
A book you’ve enjoyed recently? The last book I read and enjoyed (that wasn’t nominated for the CKG and so I can talk about it) was Monstress by Marjorie Liu and drawn by Sana Takeda. A graphic novel series set in an alternate matriarchal 20th century Asia, it features all the things I love: fantasy, horror, steampunk, complex and nuanced female characters and a fantastic story.
Have you got any hidden talents? My uncanny ability to instinctively know what the time is without looking at a clock. I don’t wear a watch, so this is a very handy talent.
Do you cook, if so, what’s your signature dish?
I’m a better baker than cook – I get requests at work! My signature dish: I make excellent brownies – crunchy on the outside, soft and gooey on the inside. Maybe the Great British Bake Off can be my next challenge!
INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL 31
People News
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