Melissa Matthews.
Melissa Matthews – Creative Programme Manager, Suffolk Libraries
The call out for the New Voices, Big Ideas session asked for submissions to unpick the question “What is Sustaina- bility?”, which had incredible scope. Since joining the library service, one of things that has always fascinated me was the dynamism of our staff and that even with limited resources they rally and get things done. If you ask them what they do they will reel-off list after list of daily tasks, activities, and services. With this in mind, I wanted to present a question to the space – is this sustainable? As I practised and honed the presentation, I realised more and more that this was a love letter to librar- ies and I wanted to acknowledge and drum into the people in the room “stop being humble, you’ve got an incredibly important job to do!”
Preparing for the conference was a gentle hell. However, I practised, filmed myself practising and edited out as many quirks or vocal wobbles as I could. I remembered comments
Imogen Loucas.
from colleagues (who also happened to be opera singers) – “lower not louder” and then practised again. In the end the whole thing was completely painless and over in a flash.
This was my first CILIP conference, I enjoyed having the opportunities to con- nect with colleagues and to be inspired. The opening keynote Sayf Al Ashqar embodied this peer-to-peer connection heart and soul. The conference gave me some much-needed time to pause and reflect on the bigger picture. As a sector our dynamism can sometimes also be our downfall and the opportunity to stand back and reflect on the collective triumphs and challenges of the future felt poign- ant – with Suffolk Libraries approaching its tenth birthday as a charity – and this has crystallised a collective vision for the future. The experience has been thought-provoking and eye-opening. Same time next year?
Imogen Loucas, Business Support Officer and Librarian, Bromley & Greenwich Libraries.
In late April, my boss encouraged me to
Shaheen Mogradia.
put myself forward for the New Voices, Big Ideas session because sustainability is something I have a personal interest in. Daunting, but overall excited to not only attend my first Library Professional Conference, but to actually speak, to voice my ideas. As someone still in the early stages of my career it was an opportunity I didn’t think would be possible. So it was wonderful that CILIP has brought to life the New Voices, Big Ideas panel, and I hope it is something that will continue at future conferences to give more people the opportunity.
My work further supported me by arranging the Day One attendance, so I could have the full experience. I cannot understate how fortunate it is to work in a group of Libraries (GLL) that supports your career and personal development. Thursday, I didn’t attend as many talks as hoped, instead I spoke to many stands. TheDesignConcept; knowing they follow a sustainable ethos, was interesting to learn the different ways they achieve this. The Health Librarian Group; changed my perspective how all libraries offer a level of health librarianship, and International Library & Information Group; talking about different public & mobile libraries across the globe – hearing about how other countries manage the public service was really inspiring!
Friday morning (Day Two)! Eager, yet nervous – comforted by the fact this was a first for all speakers. It was encouraging seeing the audience nod in agreement at parts of my talk, with people coming up afterwards to learn more about making the library service more sustainable. Overall highlights were listening to Krystal Vittles on the Thursday, and Sue Williamson on the Friday, who offer insight and passion for public libraries and their place in the future, it really helped solidify I am where I want to be. IP
July-August 2022 INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL DIGITAL 21
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