Meet the Shortlist – Clare Hemsworth
Category: Blog, Meet the Shortlist
This post is part of our Meet the Shortlist series, focusing on the four shortlisted nominees for the 2020 Library and Information Professional of the Year Award. Read on to learn more about Clare Hemsworth and her nomination.
Clare Hemsworth is one of the shortlisted nominees for our Library and Information Professional of the Year Award. Clare is a School Librarian and School Libraries Support Coordinator for Renfrewshire Libraries. She works in Robertson Centre and Castlehead High School, both based in Paisley.
Clare has been nominated for her outstanding contributions to Renfrewshire, where she has been a driving force in creating a forward-looking school library service that puts the needs of young people at its heart. She was commended for her work with digital, being described as a ‘digital guru’ who has introduced innovative digital developments. For example, she bid for SLIF funding for the ‘Dip into Digital’ project which supports young people to use new creative technologies and has even created a library island on Animal Crossing during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Additionally in her nomination, Clare’s work with the school libraries attainment team, which provides a range of programmes to engage young people with reading and libraries, was highlighted. She also bid for SLIF funding for a collaboration with the University of the West of Scotland Library designed to support the transition of senior pupils into higher education.
Clare is an active member of the profession. She was previously on the committee of YLG Scotland and has presented at conferences and to library and information studies students about school librarianship. She is also an advocate for CPD and has undertaken Chartership and Revalidation as well as being a CILIP Mentor to support others through the Professional Registration process.
Congratulations to Clare on her many achievements and her nomination!
The shortlist is made up of four nominees. Judging will take place by a panel of experts and be based on a full nomination statement provided to CILIPS. The winner will be announced in October.