By Joshua Robinson – 

Former Kirklees Chief Librarian, Carol Stump, has been awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours for 2024. Carol Stump receives the honour for services to public libraries.

Carol started with her role as a 16-year-old Library Assistant at Huddersfield Library. By 1998 she had progressed to a Senior Library Assistant at Holmfirth. Carol climbed through the ranks of the library service, eventually becoming Chief Librarian in 2012. Carol retired in 2022 from the role of Chief Librarian at Kirklees Libraries after 45 years.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Carol led her team to be at the forefront of community response in 2020. Where library staff continued to meet the needs of the community by developing a vast and innovative digital offer for adults and children alike.

Carol became President of Libraries Connected in June 2020 where she positioned libraries as a place to rebuild and reconnect when the pandemic ended, and also joined the government’s Tackling Loneliness Network that used insight and knowledge to help support people who suffered as a result of lockdown.

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Councillor Paul Davies, Cabinet Member for Corporate said: “I am delighted to hear that Carol is on the New Year’s Honours list. Carol was a much liked and well-respected Chief Librarian and her team’s efforts in the COVID-19 community response were phenomenal. Under her leadership, Kirklees Libraries also won numerous awards including becoming Libraries of Sanctuary for people fleeing conflict and persecution once again highlighting how important our libraries are in supporting residents. It’s great to see that even after retirement, her service and dedication is being recognised nationally. Congratulations to Carol.”

Isobel Hunter MBE, Chief Executive of Libraries Connected said: “I can’t think of a more worthy recipient of this award than Carol. As President of Libraries Connected during the pandemic, Carol was an inspirational leader – showing kindness and courage in equal measure. Thanks in no small part to Carol’s vision and dedication, public libraries emerged from the pandemic stronger and more resilient than ever. On behalf of everyone at Libraries Connected, I’d like to offer our warmest congratulations to Carol on this well-deserved honour.”

Carol joins former Kirklees Libraries colleagues Andy Wright, Jon Davis, and Judith Robinson who received British Empire Medals in 2022, 2020 and 2019 respectively.

Carol will receive her award in person at a ceremony later in 2024.