the House of Commons Library helped me raise £10,000 to rebuild a Tsunami affected Library in Sri Lanka. This led to involve- ment with the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA); starting off as a grassroots Officer, I was later elected a Divisional Chair and Member of IFLA’s Professional Council and presented at Euro- pean International fora.
Rebecca Dorsett
I have worked in a complex government organisation for many years and have a lot of experience of influencing some very challenging audiences, including my current leadership role. This has given me a lot of valuable experience in influencing at different levels but also successfully implementing change at a strategic level, which are skills that would be valuable to bring to this role. I have also spent a lot of time working in people development including creating qualifications, build- ing career frameworks and supporting others in their professional journeys. In my current role I do this for digital and information professionals, trying to create more diverse career and development options. Having been in both ‘hands-on’ delivery roles through to more strategic roles I would bring a wealth of experience to this role to advocate for this profession and those amazing people within, in its totality.
I helped create opportunities for CILIP colleagues to participate in IFLA projects and become Officers representing UK. I persuaded DWP to host the 2019 IFLA Westminster mid-term conference on UN SDGs in collaboration with the House of Commons Library, attended by delegates from five continents. Raising the Library’s profile and overseeing a strategic move within DWP, I switched to working on Knowledge Exploitation in the Ministry of Defence’s Human Resources function. As Vice President I would seek to create opportunities for CILIP to raise the profile of our profession within organisations, the regions and internationally to increase CILIP registration for Library and Infor- mation Professionals.
For the Trustee vacancy, there are four candidates standing to be considered for the role:
l Neil MacInnes l Patrick Mitchell l Tania Pemberton l David Smith
ies as a sixteen-year-old – having also previously volunteered in libraries with the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme – which did completely affirm my decision that this was my career – discovering and developing the role of libraries around social value, democracy, justice, informa- tion and community.
After an amazing 20 years in Glasgow that finished leading on capital pro- grammes with great spaces creating great libraries – thus enabling users, custom- ers and readers to get the best out of the amazing resources and knowledge sources available. A bold decision, and part of my ongoing five-year plan, was to apply for a job in Manchester – as Head of Service Improvement (great title) and successfully appointed at interview. Leading the transformation of Manchester’s Public Libraries has been one of many career highlights – the £50m refurbish- ment of Manchester Central Library – the most visited public library in the UK, but also refurbishment of the wider library estate – £70m investment from Man- chester City Council. The creation of new spaces has enabled the library team, part- ners and other agencies to engage with our resident to really make a difference to support lifelong learning, culture, com- munities, sense of place and empowerment – all of which are what libraries stand proudly to support and enable. I have been active at a local, regional, national and international sector level. Spending two years as President of the “then” Society of Chief Librarians – gave an insight in to wider government policy and wider departmental engagement and a tremendous overview of the sector at large as well as increased partnership opportunities across the wider sector and beyond. I am a Trustee of EU Public Libraires 2030 – enabling greater con- nectivity across Europe and opportunities that emerge.
Anoja Fernando
I was awarded an MBE for International Librarianship by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in Her Late Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee Birthday Honours which was a humbling experience. I began my career in Enfield Libraries, via a Theological College, before moving to Barnet Public Libraries where I launched Barnet Libraries Citizens’ First Stop Shop. I joined the Civil Service as a Librarian when our profession was at its zenith leading teams, including in the regions, continuously refocusing on impactful library offers. Inspiring CILIP colleagues from Public, International, Government Libraries’ and
16 INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL
Neil MacInnes, OBE, FRSA Once upon a time a young lad visited his local public library in Glasgow and the rest is history – discovering a place of sanctuary and safety, a space of culture and creativity, discovery and exploration, and setting a future career plan. Most importantly creating identity and direction by using the library tickets as a platform of choice and personal entitlement. Forty years later – here I am – and I have never been prouder of the role that public libraries play in our society and bringing communities, people and story- telling for all together.
Career wise I started in Glasgow Librar-
I am keen to be a CILIP Trustee as I believe 100 per cent of the invaluable role that libraries play in shaping people, communities and the nation – the most democratic spaces in the land which is incredibly important at this time. As we celebrate the 175th Anniversary of the Public Libraries Act 1850 – there is a need to reinforce the valuable and essential contribution public libraries and libraries in general make and their role as part of the solution.
Advocacy is my middle name – promot- ing people, storytelling, space, informa- tion, and trained staff is key to a modern relevant public library service and the wider importance of libraries in all sectors of our communities. If you don’t know it – you don’t know it.
Winter 2025
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