INTERVIEW
My apprentice journey so far
Helen Esdaile is Apprentice Library Assistant at Skelmersdale Library, part of Lancashire County Council’s Cultural Services Department. Over the next 12 months she will be sharing her experience as an apprentice in a regular column for Information Professional.
Can you introduce yourself and tell us when you began your apprenticeship? Hi, my name is Helen and I’m from Liver- pool. I started my apprenticeship in Septem- ber 2021. Before starting the apprenticeship, I’ve had many jobs over the years including working in retail and in animal rescue. My three loves in life are animals, football and reading but reading I would say is my biggest love. I have always enjoyed reading but drifted from it a bit as a young adult. Through the pandemic I decided to start a reading challenge which ignited my passion for reading again. Now I’ll read most genres which is a massive change from when I was younger where I basically only read historical fiction and romance. I would have to say that my favourite books are Little Women and The Book Thief. Libraries were a big part of my childhood with visits every Saturday morning to drop off books and collect more. The library was a magical place for me with one of my early memories being winning a colouring com- petition in the library and having my photo taken for the local paper!
Tell us a bit about the library service you are doing your apprenticeship with. And the branch where you are working?
I am doing my apprenticeship with Lancashire Libraries, and I am based at Skelmersdale Library. Lancashire Libraries is a very large library authority with 64 branches, five
18 INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL
Rob Green (
rob.green@
cilip.org.uk) is Editor, Information Professional.
mobile libraries and five prison libraries across the county.
Skelmersdale Library is a bustling Band A Library with lots going on. There are the weekly clubs which are part of the library’s core offer as well having meeting rooms which can be booked and a touchdown suite for council staff. Skelmersdale Library also holds the fiction reserve stock for Lanca- shire Libraries. I always enjoy going into the
September 2022
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