Young Librarians of the Future

Sandeep Mahal, 28

Sandwell Library Service

Outreach Services Manager

“My passion, has always been and will always remain, to make a difference to people’s lives. I look to the future very positively, contributing my expertise and skills in what is a very interesting time within our sector, with so many exciting changes taking place. I would love the opportunity to showcase and champion what I’ve achieved, to encourage more younger people to enter the public library profession and to fully support the love libraries campaign.”

Since the announcement, the media frenzy that followed really was quite immense. Winning the award, has led to a great deal of positive media coverage for Sandwell and public libraries generally, as well as making the national headlines, countering all the negative criticisms made in the media about libraries, books and librarians. I was absolutely thrilled to have won and I felt this award celebrated the positive contribution I’ve made in public libraries and acknowledged the energy, enthusiasm and spirit that I bring into the service.

I have acquired quite a celebrity status in the library world, and a number of fantastic opportunities have emerged as a direct result of winning:

• I received a sponsored place to attend the Public Libraries Authorities three day conference in October and was able to share my passion and enthusiasm with other advocates, in what was a very stimulating programme. I acquired a better understanding and awareness of the current challenges being faced by public libraries.

• The award has raised Sandwell libraries profile with key players within the council. I was invited to attend the Guardian public sector Recruitment fair with Sandwell’s recruitment team to showcase not only Sandwell as a place to come and live and work, but to also promote library and information work as a career.

• I have started a secondment with the Reading Agency, supporting them on the Reading Partners project, which aims to help the consortium’s library and publisher partners to understand how their offer to readers can better reflect the diverse world around us. It has already proved that, by working together, libraries and publishers can create a powerful buzz around books through events and promotions.

• I have been sharing my experiences of winning with various organisations on a local, regional and national platform, and influencing how cultural sector organisations can attract a younger and more diverse workforce at all levels into the profession. I’m really keen and proactive to continue showcasing my achievements and impact of winning, reaching an even greater audience across the sector, clearly demonstrating the benefits it will bring for the individual, the organisation and for the profession as a whole.

All these opportunities have enabled me to become more involved in professional developments outside of my normal role and I’ve networked with many passionate advocates who have inspired me to maintain the focus around the ‘bigger picture’ and current agendas. I’ve learnt a great deal about the tremendous contribution that libraries in our communities are making and this has significantly enhanced my ability to advocate and influence the benefit and value of the library service to customers and partners, which will make a real and positive difference to my service. I am certainly making the most of the moment and I look to the future positively, contributing my expertise and skills in what is a very interesting time within the public library sector, with so many exciting changes taking place.