Kirklees Library apprentices continue to be busy as ever. Ambreen attended the 2021 Annual Seminar – Libraries: An essential part of local recovery; and Hannah plans a Halloween craft morning for children.
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OW bad could it be? I’ll get a day to listen and learn about the great work libraries have been providing
and could probably pinch an idea or two on the areas Kirklees Libraries may have overlooked. After all, most ideas are always second hand! And it’s not like I would have to talk or anything… Julie would obviously have all that handled. So of course, I was more than happy to attend the Libraries Connected Annual Seminar (Libraries: An essential part of local recovery). Premature celebrations on my behalf it seemed, as not long after I could hear the beat of war drums… okay I may be exaggerating a bit there, it was just my heart in my mouth when I heard all three of us (Julie Peel, Julie Bell and myself) were asked to do a 10 minute speech each. Visions of embarrassing myself, forgetting what to say or even being able to procure a good enough speech for the day flitted through my mind like an old reel on repeat.
There were no ‘rules’ per se of what I
Since I started working for Kirklees Libraries, I’ve been really excited and enthusiastic to plan events for members of the community. With Covid restrictions lifted I decided to plan for a Halloween craft morning for children at Holmfirth library. I worked with colleagues to organise a date and time; and then I ordered resources and created posters to advertise the event. We made the session a drop-in event so anyone could come and have a go without needing to book. We had window pumpkin decorations, spooky houses
had to include in my speech. I was just told to write about my experience as an apprentice and let loose. I had over a month to write it so plenty of time right? Absolutely not. Whenever I’m asked to talk or write about my apprenticeship I’m always stumped on what to focus on. The wires in my brain start to overload and my cells are screaming ‘too many things to talk about!’. I eventually settled on talking about some of my favourite projects (writing for CILIP was obviously one of them).
After having my speech checked by Jon Davis (Customer Service Manager), who very patiently spent hours listening to me go over it and reassuring me I would be perfectly fine; I sent it off to Julie Peel to be added to our presentation for the day. We were all set; even booking our train early, so nothing could go wrong or so we thought. CANCELLED. Julie and I stared up at the information board in disbelief. Our train had been cancelled. But we are nothing, if not adaptable. A good few trains later, we rushed into the venue with time to spare.
As I stood in front of a room full of Halloween craft morning. December 2021
and masks for the children to make. We positioned ourselves in the children’s library and asked families if they’d like to join in when they walked past. Although we didn’t get too much custom it was still really fun to do and we attracted families to sit and craft with us. This was the first event I’d planned by myself, and I was really pleased with the outcome. The staff were really supportive and enthusiastic about my ideas which made it even more of a pleasure to do. The children loved getting crafty, snipping, sticking and colouring in their creations. It was great fun and helped me become more confident working with young children in in-person settings. Since the success of my craft morning, I am currently planning for a Christmas card making event which I can’t wait to do! The session will involve a Storytime and even a visit from Santa! We will be running the event at Holmfirth and then Almondbury in the afternoon for children to create
This was the first event I’d planned by myself, and I was really pleased with the outcome.
Ambreen Aziz is an apprentice librarian at Kirklees Libraries
www.kirkleeslibraries.co.uk
people, my hands were shaking, my heart was ready to jump out of my chest and my throat felt drier than the Sahara Desert. I blinked and it was over. The pride I felt hearing the feedback was immeasurable. I was hopeful. The more people we got on board for apprenticeships, the more diversity and creativity we would bring into libraries. Meeting so many important people who took the time to listen and converse whilst having tightly packed schedules I felt a sense of gratitude; I was part of an organisation where not only was every voice important, but also heard.
Hannah Armitage is an apprentice librarian at Kirklees Libraries
www.kirkleeslibraries.co.uk
a card for their friends and family. The opportunities in this apprenticeship are endless, I’d recommend it to anyone who has creativity, ambition and enthusiasm. I love working in the library, being at the heart of the community and doing what I like best, designing, planning and experiencing new opportunities. If you’d like to keep up to date with what else myself and Ambreen are getting up to in the library have a look at ‘Our Apprenticeship Journey’ playlist on the Kirklees Libraries YouTube channel; we upload every week and our webpage is constantly being updated to bring you the best content. IP
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