Inverclyde Librarian books in for top award
Alison has been nominated for the award at the upcoming Charted Institute of Library and Information Professionals Scotland (CILIPS) conference.
The award is given to one individual who has been an outstanding library or information worker in the past 12 months.
Alison has worked at Inverclyde Council libraries service for six years and was Vice Chair of the Association of Public Libraries in Scotland 2022-2023.
She was nominated for her work last year to integrate a health and wellbeing focus into Inverclyde’s libraries following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Building on existing partnerships and forging new ones with organisations like Barnardo’s and Alzheimer Scotland, the library service makes sure communities across Inverclyde receive resources and support to prioritise their health and wellbeing.
Her nomination reads: “Alison has led her team to clearly demonstrate how strengthening the health and wellbeing of our communities is not just the responsibility of healthcare professionals and organisations and that libraries have a valid role to play in this. Making informed decisions and building healthy habits prevent illness and help with recovery.
“Consistently she is an advocate for the crucial role libraries play when it comes to literacy for children and adults alike. Literacy takes many forms, each of which enables people to understand and improve their health and wellbeing.
“This strategic focus for our service delivery has helped us demonstrate that public libraries can empower, support and connect our communities and partners for a healthy, thriving Inverclyde.”
Alison said: “I am delighted to have been nominated for this award.
“I love working in libraries and as society’s needs shift and change we need to stay relevant and redefine our role in our communities.
“Our libraries in Inverclyde are abut much more than books – although that’s still essential! They are community hubs where people can come and get support for their health and wellbeing.”
CILIPS Director, Sean McNamara, said: “We have an exceptional field of nominees this year from a range of sectors.
“They represent some of the best librarians in the country and it's hugely inspiring to see so much good work going on in challenging times, we wish them all well."
Alison is up against three other candidates from NHS Lanarkshire, Girvan Library and Forfar Academy.
The award winner will be announced on Monday 3 June at the CILIPS annual conference in Dundee.