By KLTV Newsdesk
A Kirklees librarian has been commended for her role in maintaining and promoting e-resources during lockdown by national charity Libraries Connected.
Katherine Hornby, A Customer Service Officer at Dewsbury Library, has been commended for her contribution to the #LibrariesFromHome project managed by national charity Libraries Connected.
She worked with Libraries Connected and fellow volunteers to maintain lists of library virtual rhyme times, reading groups and local library led digital book festivals, Lego clubs, and much more.
Katherine has contributed considerable time and skills to support the charity and the public library sector during this difficult period.
She responded to an appeal from the charity for staff to get involved following the closure of library buildings in March.
They needed help to create a suite of resources for use by library staff across the UK. Katherine was selected to be a part of a dedicated team of 13 library staff.
Speaking about her work, Katherine Hornby said: “It’s given me the opportunity to meet and work with colleagues across the country and it’s been amazing to see the creativity, resilience, and innovation throughout the sector while our buildings have been closed.
“The resources we have collected and produced have helped to connect people at what is, for many, a lonely and isolating time.
“Adults have been able to connect through common interests, taking part in reading groups, and researching family history. Families have been able to easily access story times, rhyme times, Lego clubs and so much more, keeping children engaged, and supporting early literacy and creative thinking.”
Councils across the country are still unsure of when they will be able to reopen libraries to the public.
For now, online resources remain the only way for many people to access library services.
Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Corporate, said: “It’s fantastic that Katherine has been recognised for developing online resources for families in lockdown as part of the national #LibrariesFromHome project.”
“The recognition from Libraries Connected is a further testament to the hard work that our library staff does to engage with our communities no matter what the circumstances.
“Congratulations Katherine!”
Kirklees Libraries members can access 1000’s of online resources including e-books, e-newspapers, and e-magazines from the library online resource.