Top Ten New Librarian

Helen Dahlke

Reader Development Librarian

West Berkshire Library Service

Length of Service: 1 year

Age: 24

Helen has been actively involved in a new stock management system to help streamline purchasing processes, written an article in Public Library Journal on advocacy & marketing, and developed promotions to encourage more people to read.

“Working in public libraries enables me to make a difference and use my skills to help people. I can be creative, I can use my IT skills, I can use my love of reading, and every enquiry is a new opportunity and a new challenge.”

“I love the challenge of answering enquiries and the satisfaction when someone has got what they want. There’s always something new and different to work on and explore, I am constantly learning new things. To put it simply, working in public libraries is fun!

“I believe everyone has a right to information, and that public libraries play a vital role in enabling people to find it and access it. Libraries have an important community role as people trust them and feel they are important part of community life.

“I am committed to working in public libraries and am working hard on my professional development as well as the development of the service. Public libraries are in a prime position to help with some of the biggest challenges facing our society today and we need to make sure we are the first service people think of when they want a community resource or information or reading.”