Library managers receive recognition in national awards shortlist
Two of Oxfordshire County Council’s library managers have been recognised with a nomination at the prestigious Libraries Connected Awards for their work in improving health and wellbeing in their communities.
Jake Tilling, Witney Library Manager, and Karen Seymour, Hook Norton Library Manager, have been nominated for their work around the council’s Every Contact Count (MECC) initiative.
MECC is a national programme aimed at improving health outcomes through everyday conversations with residents. It uses the natural interactions that occur in community hubs, such as libraries, to support people with their health and wellbeing.
Ansaf Azhar, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director of Public Health and Communities said: “Libraries are community hubs where thousands of conversations take place every day between staff, volunteers and library customers.
“MECC is perfectly placed to fit into these conversations and support people with their health and wellbeing. Often library staff are already having these types of conversations, but training in MECC ensures these conversations are high quality and effective.
“Jake and Karen have led our programme for almost six years on top of their roles as branch managers. In that time, they’ve helped us to train 44 MECC champions - one in every branch, resulting in almost 10,000 interactions per year. Together they have worked very closely to transform what we offer and improve health outcomes of their local communities. It is an excellent example of the benefits of collaborative working between the public health team and the library service.
“The nomination is a much deserved recognition of their brilliant work, and we wish both Jake and Karen every success.”
The Libraries Connected Awards celebrate the achievements of library workers who have had an exceptional impact on their library service, users, or their local communities.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony on June 10 during the Libraries Connected annual seminar in Warwickshire.
The Libraries Connected Awards celebrate the achievements of library workers who have had an exceptional impact on their library service, users, or their local communities.
he winners will be announced at a ceremony on June 10 during the Libraries Connected annual seminar in Warwickshire.
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