‘‘ B
What we need to do is demonstrate the diff erence we make; facts matter, but so too do library and information services and their staff .
President’s View Demonstrating the difference we make
ack in the January / February Information Professional, I wrote about volunteering, my career and my
presidential themes and I would like to expand on a couple of those themes here.
Volunteering
I mentioned that volunteering for CILIP groups, committees and so on was “an essential part of being a qualifi ed, professional librarian”. I know that not everyone is able to volunteer in this way. There are lots of ways of contributing, some of which are more about developing professional attributes rather than volunteering to “do something”: doing a great job for your organisation and customers, undertaking research, writing in our newsletters and journals, mentoring and coaching – the list goes on. All underpinned by a belief in our professional ethics so that we have a shared set of values and behaviours. I said I wanted to connect with as many of you as possible and this fi rst three months of being President has certainly been busy attending meetings up and down the country – too many to mention here! It’s been enlightening and great fun; I’ve seen library and information staff at their best, doing great work in sometimes challenging circumstances.
Library and knowledge staff in the North
This leads me on to one of my presidential themes; showcasing great library and knowledge staff in the North of England. I’ve met so many library and information staff in the past three months, and I would just like to highlight three services for particular mention:
Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust: Cramlington This specialist emergency care hospital, opened in 2015, was built without proper library services, despite having large numbers of doctors in training grades. Jackie McGuire, Library & Knowledge Services Manager, with the support of her team, persuaded the Trust to invest
April-May 2019
in a beautiful new library, adjacent to the dining room, which gives them great footfall. A marvellous achievement in challenging times and staff told me how much they loved working there.
Newcastle City Library In the middle of Newcastle’s busy centre, this modern building is buzzing. I was bowled over by the way the staff , having to cope with fi nancial austerity, have worked in partnership with other organisations to develop a thriving, vibrant service which off ers everything that a public library has always off ered; as well as a fabulous archival collection, digital literacy training, help with benefi ts and passports and a home for Citizen’s Advice Newcastle. What struck me was the way in which the teams from these organisations worked together and cross- referred customers so they got the very best from what is on off er. My thanks to Andrew Scrogham and colleagues at Newcastle for making this a “wow” visit.
Trafford, Altrincham branch Another lively public library service is Traff ord Borough le d by Sarah Curran, Head of Customer Service. I have visited the recently opened Altrincham branch twice and have been struck by Sarah’s passion for her customers, her staff and stakeholders. Faced with the need to make £700,000 of savings in
David Stewart (
president@cilip.org.uk) is Regional Director of Library and Knowledge Services for the North, Health Education England and CILIP President.
2014/15, Sarah developed business cases and partnerships to build a borough- wide library service that is innovative and popular. One new branch library has seen a 91 per cent increase in loans over one year. Talking to Traff ord’s Mayor, I was struck by his enthusiasm for the library service – a well-informed and supportive stakeholder is worth their weight in gold! I have lots more people to meet, services
to visit and much to consider as I see the breadth of our profession. Just now, I’m planning visits to two universities and a cathedral library.
I know many people are faced with
diffi culties – and the “B” word looms over us as I write, but it strikes me we have much to celebrate. What we need to do is demonstrate the diff erence we make; facts matter, but so too do library and information services and their staff . IP
INSIGHT
A “wow” visit: David with staff at Newcastle City Library.
INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL 19
Pesident's view
p19.indd 1
25/04/2019 14:34
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60
