Young Librarians of the Future

Richard Pemberton, 26

Community Librarian - Young people and schools

Medway Library Service

“ Libraries are about helping people and providing information, a basic human necessity. I believe in the pleasure of books and encourage people to read more and stretch their imaginations. I read and tell around 100 stories per week to young people in Medway and have encouraged many people to read for themselves. I intend to continue to champion my passions of reading and libraries for the rest of my career ”

Since being awarded a place in the top 10 young librarians I have completed my studies at the University of Wales. I am still working as a Community Librarian for Young People in Medway for Medway Council. I still enjoy working with children and intend to continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

Being in the top 10 earned me a small amount of local fame as I was featured on local television and in the local papers. The biggest benefit of the award has been the networking links I have developed with fellow young librarians. I am very proud to have been in the first group for this award and I hope that future young librarians will also benefit as we have.