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About Me

PROFILE

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I am a Chartered Librarian and Fellow of CILIP (Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals), with a long career in school libraries and the associated educational and book worlds.  My previous career in advertising and marketing gave me the skills to combine my passion for books, libraries and young people with the ability to promote, persuade and advocate for the projects and services I wished to deliver.  I have been involved with the School Library Association (SLA) for many years, as a branch Chair, a mentor, a trustee and twice as national Chair.  I reached the Honour List for SLYA (School Librarian of the Year Award) in 2010. I was a founder of the Berkshire Book Award and the Pupil Library Assistant Award and have been a judge for the SLYA, the Branford Boase Book Award and the 500 Words BBC Story writing competition.  I have also delivered literacy projects for young people in conjunction with the Worshipful Company of Arbitrators and Authors Aloud.  For some years, I was a trainer delivering courses to school librarians on a range of topics. I am a strong communicator who believes in the power of stories to inspire and enable everyone to achieve their very best.

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KEY SKILLS

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  • Reading for Pleasure: research based initiatives to support whole school, class and small group reading initiatives.  Advocacy for librarians.  Extensive book knowledge.  Experience of delivering training in this field.  Book reviewer. Book Week and WBD events. Ability to make reading fun!

  • Literacy: of all types.  Delivery of programmes across the curriculum in reading and writing, information skills, media literacy.

  • Promotion and communication: Stakeholder engagement to enable successful initiatives i.e. public libraries, booksellers, authors, charity organisations.  Various articles and contributions to professional publications.  Author of Coronation Baby: a memoir.

  • Education: As Head of a Department, liaison with educators at all levels and across county.  Knowledge of and involvement in curriculum issues.  Training for teachers in both RfP and information literacy.

  • Governance: Trustee of the SLA since 2017.  Vice-Chair and Chair.  Interim Chair Jul-Dec 2025.  Experience of improving board effectiveness, trustee recruitment, risk management.

  • Wider Engagement: Mentoring, awards experience, imaginative outreach projects.

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