Kirklees Libraries celebrate another win with Youth Librarian of the Year award
Congratulations to Olivia Barnden for being crowned Youth Librarian of the Year.
Olivia, who has been working with Kirklees Libraries since 2003, received the award at the joint CILIP (Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals), YLG (Youth Libraries Group) and SLA (Schools Library Association) conference earlier this year in Birmingham.
The Enid Blyton Estate support the Youth Libraries Group to administer the award which recognises the innovation and dedication by a staff member working with children and young people in a public library setting.
Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet member for Corporate Services said:
“This award is further recognition of the hard work, commitment and dedication that Kirklees librarians show to visitors and young people in particular. Olivia joins a growing band of library staff that have received national recognition for the fantastic work they do in delivering library services for our residents. To be awarded the Youth Librarian of the Year award is a great honour, many congratulations to Olivia Barnden on her achievement.”
Olivia was delighted with her accolade:
“It was a great honour to be nominated, let alone win this award. I could not do my work without the support of my colleagues. I hope to use any publicity from my award to highlight all the fantastic work taking place in Kirklees Libraries and to collaborate with other libraries around the country,” she said.
Why did Olivia decide to become a librarian?
Olivia decided to become a librarian to allow her more scope to develop community projects and to do outreach work, encouraging people who don’t traditionally visit libraries to visit them and get involved.
She wants to help make libraries more accessible and to work across the board from pregnancy and babies, through to schools, special schools, teens, adults and older people. She enjoys the challenge of working across the board in libraries, but her heart lies in children’s librarianship.
Olivia works across all 24 Kirklees Public Libraries but is primarily based at Huddersfield Library.
Find your nearest library
Visit our website to find a library near you.
Could you be a library volunteer?
Libraries aren’t just about reading, learning, and literacy. They are about people and the communities they love. If you like reaching out to people and have some spare time then consider becoming a Library Volunteer.
Email us at volunteer.recruitment@kirklees.gov.uk or call 01484 414868 and ask for Huddersfield Library.