Name: Marg Charlesworth
Role on the CILIP NW Committee: Blog Editor
Work: Public Librarian
Which other CILIP member networks do you belong to?
I’ve joined lots of CILIP special interest groups, for example the School Libraries Group, Public and Mobile Libraries Group). It's a great way to find out what’s going on across different sectors. Over the past year or so I’ve enjoyed going to some of the really interesting (often free) events they have hosted. There are bursaries for the annual CILIP conference available through these groups that are definitely worth applying for.
I’m always keen to learn how libraries can best market the many amazing things they offer and have just signed up to go to the Publicity and Public Relations group conference in January 2019 to get some more inspiration for how to market events I'm involved in.
How has your career developed up to now?
After doing a language degree (a long time ago) I spent two years working as long haul cabin crew for BA. I then qualified as a speech and language therapist and worked for NHS Trusts and then in educational settings for the next 9 years. It was during a career break that I started to think about working in libraries: we had moved up north to a new town where we didn’t know a soul and the local public library in Wilmslow became a focus for me and our two small children. I was impressed by the warm welcome, the information about local groups and events, the wide selection of books for us all and the free activities. More importantly it was a place where I could go and instantly feel part of the community. A few years later, I summoned up those transferable skills and started to work my way from casual to permanent part-time library assistant. On completing my postgrad diploma at MMU in Library and Information Management, I was fortunate to get a librarian post in the same branch. I’m about to start a new role and am hoping this will provide opportunities for me to further develop my skills.
What’s been your best professional moment?
A couple of years ago I led a project organising a junior writing competition where the winning entry was published as a picture book. The local children’s football academy with whom we partnered were able to arrange for Wayne Rooney to be our guest of honour. It was a pretty special moment seeing months of work come together and watching our young author swap autographs with a Premier League footballer.
What drives you on?
It’s my passion for all that libraries offer to everyone in their community. I love Caitlin Moran’s quote “A library in the middle of a community is a cross between an emergency exit, a life-raft and a festival. They are cathedrals of the mind; hospitals of the soul; theme parks of the imagination. On a cold rainy island, they are the only sheltered public spaces where you are not a consumer, but a citizen instead.”
Do you have any career advice or top tips?
• Doing my Chartership this year has revolutionised my approach to my work (seeing the bigger picture locally and nationally, reflecting on outcomes and so on). I highly recommend it.
• Twitter. It's great getting up-to-date information about stuff you’re interested in delivered straight to your phone. If you don't already follow them I'd recommend @Literacy_Trust, @Booktrust, @publiclibnews, @dawnafinch, @libsconnected, @NickPoole1 plus a ton of public library services (including, of course, @OrkneyLibrary!)
• Network. One thing I really value in this profession is people’s willingness to share ideas as ultimately, we all have similar goals. Don’t be afraid to ask.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Too much tennis and not enough gym, long dog walks, reading and dabbling in some DIY projects.
What would be your Desert Island read?
I couldn’t just take one and as there’s no one to edit this post except me I’m going to take the liberty of shoehorning three of my favourites into my suitcase; Life after Life by Kate Atkinson, The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell and my current read - Becoming by Michelle Obama.
How has your career developed up to now?
After doing a language degree (a long time ago) I spent two years working as long haul cabin crew for BA. I then qualified as a speech and language therapist and worked for NHS Trusts and then in educational settings for the next 9 years. It was during a career break that I started to think about working in libraries: we had moved up north to a new town where we didn’t know a soul and the local public library in Wilmslow became a focus for me and our two small children. I was impressed by the warm welcome, the information about local groups and events, the wide selection of books for us all and the free activities. More importantly it was a place where I could go and instantly feel part of the community. A few years later, I summoned up those transferable skills and started to work my way from casual to permanent part-time library assistant. On completing my postgrad diploma at MMU in Library and Information Management, I was fortunate to get a librarian post in the same branch. I’m about to start a new role and am hoping this will provide opportunities for me to further develop my skills.
What’s been your best professional moment?
A couple of years ago I led a project organising a junior writing competition where the winning entry was published as a picture book. The local children’s football academy with whom we partnered were able to arrange for Wayne Rooney to be our guest of honour. It was a pretty special moment seeing months of work come together and watching our young author swap autographs with a Premier League footballer.
What drives you on?
It’s my passion for all that libraries offer to everyone in their community. I love Caitlin Moran’s quote “A library in the middle of a community is a cross between an emergency exit, a life-raft and a festival. They are cathedrals of the mind; hospitals of the soul; theme parks of the imagination. On a cold rainy island, they are the only sheltered public spaces where you are not a consumer, but a citizen instead.”
Do you have any career advice or top tips?
• Doing my Chartership this year has revolutionised my approach to my work (seeing the bigger picture locally and nationally, reflecting on outcomes and so on). I highly recommend it.
• Twitter. It's great getting up-to-date information about stuff you’re interested in delivered straight to your phone. If you don't already follow them I'd recommend @Literacy_Trust, @Booktrust, @publiclibnews, @dawnafinch, @libsconnected, @NickPoole1 plus a ton of public library services (including, of course, @OrkneyLibrary!)
• Network. One thing I really value in this profession is people’s willingness to share ideas as ultimately, we all have similar goals. Don’t be afraid to ask.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Too much tennis and not enough gym, long dog walks, reading and dabbling in some DIY projects.
What would be your Desert Island read?
I couldn’t just take one and as there’s no one to edit this post except me I’m going to take the liberty of shoehorning three of my favourites into my suitcase; Life after Life by Kate Atkinson, The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell and my current read - Becoming by Michelle Obama.
Following the pet photo trend – here’s George
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