Libraries. They’re just for people who want to sit in silence and read books, right? Wrong. They offer a whole lot more than that, as we find out from our Library Worker in Notts…
I’m not a librarian myself, but I work with a lot of librarians. I’m a Libraries and Culture Officer. I’d studied my degree in Journalism with Literature, so I was always interested in writing, and I’ve always loved books. In my role at the minute, I focus a lot on the adult reading side of things, so I get to work with writers all the time, and it’s all about getting people into reading - it’s perfect for me.
I don’t like to tell people what they should be reading, but one of my favourite books right now is Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart. It’s not an easy read, but the main character is just fantastically drawn. It’s a heartbreaking story, but it’s one of those books that really connects you to a character; you feel like you know them, and you almost miss them when the book ends. Another book I really, really love, just for how different it is, is Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders. It’s set in a cemetery where Abraham Lincoln mourns for his son, and let’s just say there are a few ghosts there! It’s really creatively written, and I couldn’t stop talking about it afterwards.
Working for libraries is very different from what people expect. In fact, that was one of my aims when I first came into this job: to start changing perceptions of libraries and the people involved in them. There’s not really a typical day. We plan loads of events, we do a whole range of projects.
At the minute, I’m starting to plan for our poetry festival later in the year. This involves looking at different poets, seeing who would be a good fit for our libraries. Last week, I was in Birmingham presenting at an Innovation Gathering event for libraries, where I talked about a big Arts Council-funded project we’re doing called I Am A Reader, which is all about celebrating and exploring the creativity of reading and readers. It’s really nice to be able to go out and share that with other people across the libraries sector.
We always try to steer clear of being about ‘just books’. Of course, they’re the core of what we do, and we’re proud of that. But we’re about books and more
I Am A Reader has its own physical touring exhibition in libraries, which is beautiful. It’s 22 illustrations done by a very talented artist, Carol Adlam, using real comments from real readers. It’s super inspiring.
What I enjoy most about the job is the variety and the people. We’ve got creatives working on visual arts programmes, family theatre, film screenings, and we all try to work together to make sure everything is linked. We’re doing a screening of Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, for example, and that will link to our work around the book. It’s really nice when everything goes together.
It’s amazing working with the public and seeing the response you get to what we’re doing, too. Some people say things like, ‘I didn’t really think of myself as creative before, but now I realise that I am!’ That’s huge, seeing that you’ve helped people to realise new things about themselves.
The biggest challenge - but an enjoyable challenge - is fitting all of these pieces together, working with our communications team to make sure all our events are publicised, keeping in touch with our libraries to make sure everything runs smoothly. It can be very busy, there are a lot of deadlines to keep to - but that keeps the pace going!
Throughout my career, I’ve got to see the programme of our libraries’ cultural offerings really grow, and to see people’s perceptions of libraries really change. One of my first projects was with the new Worksop Library, which is this big, beautiful space. It’s been really rewarding to introduce everything from theatre shows to activity workshops there.
It’s amazing working with the public and seeing the response you get to what we’re doing. Some people say, ‘I didn’t really think of myself as creative before, but now I realise that I am!’
All of this emphasises and expands the value of libraries as a welcoming, accessible face of culture. Using family theatre as an example, people might come into libraries thinking theatre isn’t for them, but they feel safe in the library, and they give it a go. It helps so many people to take their first steps into something new.
We always try to steer clear of being about ‘just books’. Of course, they’re the core of what we do, and we’re proud of that. But we’re about books and more. I think it’s a bit outdated now, that idea of libraries being a place where you’ll be shushed and it’s all about being quiet. Obviously, they do still offer those quiet spaces, but they also deliver these great, lively events. They are truly places for everyone.
If I could change anything about my job, it would just be to have more time. Can we get someone to invent more time? We’re really good at what we deliver, but I just wish we could do more of it. It’s so beneficial to so many people, so there would always be an appetite for more.
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