Obituaries Hildred Whale I
nspired by her cousin, a Librarian with a neighbour- ing authority, Hildred Whale, née Carlin, joined South Shields Borough Library Service as a Library Assistant in February 1965. She wrote in her diary entry for 3 May 1965 “I love my job”; she remained with South Shields, later South Tyneside for 46 years, retiring in 2011.
Having attended Newcastle Poly- technic, she returned to begin work in the Reference Library as a qualified Librarian. In 1974, she became Ref- erence Librarian in the newly-formed South Tyneside Authority. A new Central Library was already under construction, opening on 22 March 1976. Hildred remarked that her wedding was arranged around this date, as she was marrying the Lending Librarian.
The new building offered greatly increased scope with accommodation for a separate Local History Library. The world was changing – with increasing use of computers in information provision, the role of librarians in first learning and then teaching was vital and Hildred’s role lay in co0or- dinating much of this work.
During this time, libraries were widening the scope of their activities. Under Borough Librarian Rod Hill, Hildred would find herself involved in local book publishing programmes, the establishment of a print gallery featuring work of local artists and fundraising through the production of Christmas cards.
The Library Service faced difficult and challenging times as it moved into 2001, with uncertainty and change. Hildred was part of a team who worked with Mark Freeman to
revitalise the service and through his encouragement and support helped raise the profile of the library, implementing a programme of modernisation. Hildred began a Heritage Club to widen the appeal of local history – 13 years later, and reaching an audience of 20,000, it’s clear to see that she succeeded.
Away from work, Hildred was active in the local communi- ty and had been a member of a Community Choir for several years.
On her retirement, the Head of Service said “she had made a huge contribution to library services through her energy, enthusiasm and specialist knowledge.”
These qualities were put to good use through her continued running of a monthly Heritage Club which brought local history to life for appreciative audiences. Hildred was never ill, so it was a shock when she was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2017, but she carried on behind the scenes with her work, and in 2018 she was given the all clear. Sadly the illness returned in the autumn of 2018 and although in November she was still producing posters and tickets for events, she passed away on 22 December 2018 at the young age of 72.
The writer Michael Chaplin, in a tribute, also spoke of her energy and said that “the wonderful ‘The Word’– is a living embodiment of Hildred’s lifelong civic values and beliefs, South Shields will miss her and so will I. Hildred was, is and always will be a Librarian, it is in her DNA.” A very special lady.
David Whale, husband, former Library Development and Planning Coordinator, South Tyneside, with
Julia Robinson, Principal Librarian, South Tyneside, based at The Word
Ian Dewhirst, on 20 January. Ian was Reference librarian at Keighley Carnegie library from 1960-1991, later dedicating himself to local history. An obituary will follow.
Mike Freeman, on 13 May 2018. Mike was Head of Learning Resources at Tile Hill College of FE, Coventry, retiring in 1990. He was then an Ofsted inspector, and undertook overseas consultancy work for the British Council and DfID. Mike was Honorary International Relations Officer of CILIP’s West Midlands branch. An obituary will follow.
Joy Hindle, on 8 February. Joy was Reference Librarian at Kettering Library. An obituary will follow. Winifred Parkinson, in March 2018. Winifred was Librarian at Mottingham Library. An obituary will follow.
54 INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL
March 2019
Obits
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