Job title: Early Start Librarian
Employer: Early Start and Newham Library Service
Age: 31
Duties
I liaise with four library branches and their Early Start programmes. One of my main responsibilities is to ensure that the libraries are 'family-friendly'. I achieve this by providing support and training to staff. Much of my work involves helping staff set up improved story-telling sessions.
I am also responsible for ordering stock for the under-fives and being the link between the libraries and Early Start.
This includes co-ordinating Newham's BookStart scheme. As part of this national programme, children under the age of five are given free books.
The idea is to encourage families to read with children at home in the hope of developing a love of reading at an early age. We provide families with book 'packs' through local health clinics, libraries, Early Start programmes, nurseries and reception classes.
Babies who have an early introduction to books benefit educationally, socially, culturally and emotionally. It is never too early to introduce children to books. In doing so, parents and carers can be their child's first educator and help their child's development for years to come.
In essence, my role is to promote literacy among children and their parents/carers, and to increase the use of libraries by families across the borough.
Start date
December 2003
Likes/dislikes
What I enjoy most is delivering the training sessions and seeing the difference they make in libraries - particularly in the improvement to story-telling sessions.
I have a lot of freedom in this post. I manage my own diary and my own day.
I like the fact that I am not chained to a desk and every day is different from the last.
There is, however, a great deal to do but not always enough time to do it in. Because I work with four libraries and four Early Start programmes, I seem always to be dashing between them, making life seem hectic at times. I would also like to spend more time working directly with the children.
Best achievement
I have seen library story-telling attendance significantly increase over time. It's always encouraging to see how branches, with support and teamwork, are able to adopt the recommendations from training sessions. It is great to receive positive feedback from families on how much they enjoy the sessions.
Training
I have an NVQ level 3 in Early Years Care and Education and have had a lot of in-house training, including courses on child protection, communication skills, working with difficult parents, project management, team building and report writing.
Career path
My last role was as a family support worker with Sure Start in Kilburn, where I linked with health visitors and disadvantaged families. This gave me a strong understanding of how Sure Start works.
Before that, I worked in a nursery in Camden for eight years. I have also written and illustrated children's books. Different Sure Start programmes are currently using these across London as health promotion resources. In addition, I have had the great privilege of writing both stories and scripts for 'The Story Makers' on the BBC's CBeebies channel.
Career progression
I thoroughly enjoy being involved in literacy development but would like to work more closely with children and families in the future.
Advice
This role requires an understanding of children and families. Having empathy with those in disadvantaged circumstances is also important.
Patience is vital, not only to be able to work successfully with children but also to be able to do so with adults. You need to have a healthy dose of flexibility, people skills, organisation and self-motivation.
Interests/hobbies
I love being creative and express this through many different avenues. Most of my writing work has so far been geared towards children, but I am now trying to write more for an older audience.
I like using my hands to customise clothes and to make jewellery and greeting cards, mainly from recycled materials.
I bake muffins and cookies in my spare time and I really enjoy singing, eating and catching up on much-needed sleep.
Further information
* www.everychildmatters.gov.uk
* www.bookstart.co.uk
* www.storiesfromtheweb.org
* www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies
* www.surestart.gov.uk
* www.newham.gov.uk
