Suffolk Libraries is one of 26 library services to be shortlisted for the Libraries Connected Awards 2023.
The Libraries Connected Awards recognise individuals or teams that have had an exceptional impact on their library service, library users or their local communities. The Awards are organised by Libraries Connected, the independent charity representing public library services across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Crown Dependencies.
Laura Parker, Suffolk Libraries’ Director of People and Culture, and Jane Cox, Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager have been jointly shortlisted under the Health & Wellbeing category for their work to coordinate and energise Suffolk Libraries Wellbeing Champions staff group.
The Wellbeing Champions role is to listen confidentially and non-judgementally to any colleagues who are feeling worried, stressed or overwhelmed. They also signpost colleagues to appropriate professional support or self-help strategies, including the organisation’s employee assistance programme and disseminate information about various aspects of wellbeing among staff. They also organise events that encourage healthy living or deal with certain aspects of wellbeing such as stress.
Jane and Laura work to guide and enthuse the Wellbeing Champions, holding regular meetings to inspire them to engage meaningfully with staff. They also suggest ideas for events and activities they might like to organise and have developed a programme of internal activities during the year to ensure wellbeing is embedded across the organisation.
Jane Cox said:
“Laura and I are thrilled to be shortlisted. It’s a recognition of the contribution all our wellbeing champions have made. Wellbeing is a crucial part of what our library service offers to local people but it’s also important that we look after the wellbeing of our staff too. The Wellbeing Champions programme aims to generate ideas from staff across Suffolk Libraries so we can all help each and support each other.
"It’s been a challenging few years for our incredible staff, with the pandemic and now helping so many people during the cost of living crisis. Developing our wellbeing champions is an integral part of our wellbeing framework and taking care of our amazing people.”
The shortlisted nominations will now be considered by an expert panel of judges including celebrated crime writer Priscilla Masters and children’s author Cathy Cassidy. They will be joined by judges from organisations including Arts Council England, The Reading Agency, BBC Arts and library app developer OverDrive, creator of the Libby and Sora reading apps, who are again generously sponsoring the Awards. The winners will be announced in June at a ceremony during the Libraries Connected annual seminar in Bedfordshire.
The Awards are again generously sponsored by OverDrive, the leading digital reading platform for libraries and schools worldwide, and creator of the award-winning library reading app, Libby.
Suffolk Libraries has also recently been shortlisted for the EDGE Libraries Conference Awards which take place in Edinburgh next week. Suffolk Libraries has been shortlisted under the digital category for the Let’s Get Creative web directory of local arts events.
Isobel Hunter MBE, chief executive of Libraries Connected, said:
“Congratulations to everybody who made the shortlist this year in a very competitive field. The Libraries Connected Awards put the spotlight on some of the amazing staff that make the libraries sector so vibrant and inspiring. It’s so important that we recognise the incredible achievements of library workers who show such dedication, creativity and innovation every day.”
Nick Forster, regional manager at OverDrive, said:
“On behalf of the OverDrive team I want to congratulate all the shortlisted nominees. It’s important to recognise the achievements of library services and their staff because their work is so essential to our communities throughout the country. We’re excited to sponsor the Awards again and are looking forward to the ceremony later this year.”
