How has being part of the CILIP Community helped you develop? Being part of the CILIP community has been great for meeting other people committed to developing the profession, and for accessing lots of training oppor- tunities. Also it’s provided me oppor- tunity to develop my regional network through being part of a committee, so I can contribute to creating events and opportunities in the North West along- side networking.
What is your biggest hope for the future of the sector? That it continues to develop new initiates to get more people involved in the profession, and advocating for libraries and their importance.
How has being part of the CILIP Community helped you develop? It has helped me be in-the-know with the entire sector regardless of my current focus/workplace.
Lucrezia Gaion, Academic Support Librarian, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh
What made you join the profession? I have always loved stories. During university I worked in different sections of my Univer- sity Library (from the digital side of things, to the circulation desk, to conservation work) and fell in love with it. I knew that was what I wanted to do after I graduated.
What’s the best part of your job? The young people I work with. They’re brilliant, funny, compassionate and cheeky. They’ve made me rediscover my love for children stories, and their crea- tivity and passion inspire me everyday.
Jack Welch, Library Assistant, Dorset County Hospital Library
What made you join the profession?
Libraries were my very first kind of work experience when I was in Year 10 at secondary school, so it felt like joining something familiar again, even though the role of health libraries was completely new to me!
What’s the best part of your job? Directing users to our resources which they may not have come across and giving them confidence when they have access to something that makes their work easier (such as the NHS Knowl- edge and Library Hub).
How has being part of the CILIP Community helped you develop? As a Library Assistant looking to become an eventual librarian in the future, under taking the Certification route via the Apprenticeship conversion will be a beneficial step to demonstrate my commitment to enhance my professional development.
What is your biggest hope for the future of the sector?
I very much would like to see a more integrated way of working for health libraries, especially with public and academic sectors, as there’s so much we could offer to give a continuity of service and supporting the local com- munity.
March 2024
How has being part of the CILIP Community helped you develop? The main thing for me has been to con- nect with people from so many different library sectors and backgrounds. This year I was able to attend the CILIPS conference for the first time, and it was eye opening. I was able to connect with people in person, learn about different aspects of the service, and plan ahead for my professional future.
What is your biggest hope for the future of the sector?
That it is valued and supported. Libraries do so much more than lending out books. They’re communities that foster care, empathy, knowledge and information, while preserving our history. There’s no humanity without libraries.
Career update
Started a new role at Heriot-Watt Univer- sity in February 2024 after five years as Lifelong Learning Development Leader (Schools), Edinburgh City Council.
Rachel Huskisson, Librarian, Derby High School
What made you join the profession? I wanted to work with young people but not as a teacher, school libraries seemed like a good fit.
What’s the best part of your job? Engaging with the students, I have a large team of student library assistants and I enjoy bringing the team together and developing their skills. They gain a lot of confidence being part of a team that spans year groups which doesn’t happen in many other areas of school life.
How has being part of the CILIP Community helped you develop? Through being a member of CILIP and achieving chartership in April 2023 I have a much better understanding of the role within my context and how to align to the school aims in order to maximise impact. Learning about the wider sector has opened my eyes to the breadth of the sector and bring that learning into my own practice.
Niamh Malin, Data Analyst, University of Cambridge
What made you want to be part of the profession?
I really enjoy working around books!
What’s the best part of your job? Having a breakthrough with data. I have been known to whoop out loud in the office when I manage to solve a challenging task.
What is your biggest hope for the future of the sector? My biggest hopes are for the school library sector, as a member of the Great School Libraries campaign committee I feel strongly that every school would benefit from not just having a school library but a profes- sional, dedicated member of staff leading it and I would love to see the inequalities of current provision diminished. My hope would be that government and school leaders would recognise the unique skills we have and the part we can play in education today and in the future.
Career update
My role has not changed but receiving the award has inspired me to take the next step in my career and I am now studying for an MA in Library and Information Services Manage- ment at Sheffield University distance learning. I can honestly say, I don’t think I would have considered this before the award. IP
INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL 17
What is your biggest hope for the future of the sector?
To be able to utilise the vast quantities of data being collected - for decision making, and to give more power to the libraries themselves.
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