Book lover Clare wins top national award for librarians

Renfrewshire Leisure's schools library support co-ordinator wins top national award for librarians!

Article Source: Renfrewshire Leisure
Last Updated: 5 November 2020 11:17

As a toddler Clare Hemsworth loved books so much she would correct her mum if she missed a word while reading her daughter a story.

And the youngster’s favourite trips with her dad would be to the local library.
Clare has gone on to forge a career working in libraries and has been so successful she has just won a top national award.

The 38-year-old schools library support co-ordinator with Renfrewshire Leisure has won the 2020 Library and Information Professional of the Year Award.
The award is made by CILIPS – Scotland’s Library and Information Professionals – and is sponsored audio digital publishers, Bolinda.

Clare has worked with Renfrewshire Libraries for the past seven years and as well as being the support co-ordinator for all school libraries, she is the school librarian at Castlehead High.

“I’m really honoured to have won this award,” she said. “I was amazed to even be shortlisted and absolutely astounded that I won given the amazing work being done by the other librarians shortlisted across Scotland.

“I’m so pleased that the judging panel were able to see how much I love school libraries and a little bit of what we’ve been able to achieve in Renfrewshire.”

Clare has worked with Renfrewshire Libraries for seven years and was nominated for the award by the organisation’s Children and Families Development Co-ordinator, Andrew Givan.

Clare, who wins a trophy and £500 towards paying for professional development courses, continued: “I love libraries and I’ll do anything I can to make them more vibrant and accessible places to young people.

“I love it when a pupil comes into one of our school libraries and you can see how excited they are about asking for a new book they’ve heard about and want to read.”

Clare added: “I’ve enjoyed reading books since I was a young girl and my mum, Mary tells me that when she was reading me a story from a book, I would correct her if she skipped a word.

“And when I was growing up I loved going to the library with my late dad, Paul. That was our thing – going to the library together. I’ve loved books and libraries for as long as I can remember.”

Announcing that Clare had won the award, CILIPS praised her excellent work within the school library sector and for her commitment to the profession.

In particular, the judging committee commended Clare for the following:
• The leading role she has taken in developing an innovative and forward-looking school library service in Renfrewshire including using new and creative technologies to engage young people
• Her engagement with the school library sector such as bidding for School Library Improvement Fund (SLIF) funding to deliver new projects, knowledge sharing through delivering presentations at conferences, and speaking to Information and Library Studies students about school librarianship
• Her support for young people for example her work with the school libraries attainment team to ensure pupils are engaging with reading and libraries and her collaborative work with the University of West of Scotland Library to support the transition of senior pupils into higher education
• The active role she takes in the wider profession for example through undertaking Chartership and Revalidation and also being a CILIPS mentor to support others through the Professional Registration process

Joyce Higgins, Digital Library and Development Manager said: “We all so pleased for Clare winning such a prestigious award.

“There’s no doubting her commitment and enthusiasm to libraries and the schools libraries in particular.

“Clare, along with the other staff in our libraries, provide an excellent service to the public.”

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Renfrewshire News

Grow Your Own flowers, fruits, and veg at Dobbies Garden Centres

Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a free Grow Your Own workshop this August, where attendees will learn top tips for growing fruit, vegetables and flowers at home.

Gnoss release stirring new single Emily ahead of international festival run

Acclaimed Scottish folk four-piece Gnoss are back with a brand-new single ‘Emily’ set for release on Friday 25th July!

Local treasures revealed ahead of Archaeology Day at the National Museum of Rural Life

Treasure Trove Scotland are inviting members of the public to bring their finds to be assessed as part of a family-friendly Archaeology Day at the National Museum of Rural Life.

Renfrew set to welcome top Scottish pipers and drummers

Renfrew's Robertson Park will host Scotland's top piping talent once again as the Renfrew Pipe Band Competition returns to the town on Saturday 19th July.

Dinosaur Day at Dobbies

Children attending Dobbies Little Seedlings Club will get the chance to travel back hundreds of millions of years to learn about prehistoric plants and talk about their favourite dinosaurs!

Winter Connections programme boasts success for third year

Thousands of people across Renfrewshire have benefitted from Winter Connections running for a third year.

Summer long celebration of the 90s and britpop launched

PubLife, a UK-wide summer celebration of the '90s will take place in over 500 pubs, including 7 in Scotland.

Family days out just got better with free entry for kids at Scone Palace

This summer, as school holidays get underway, families are invited to enjoy a day out at Scone Palace with their Kids Go Free promotion.

Scone Palace International Horse Trials

The inaugural Scone Palace International Horse Trials will take place from 21st–24th August 2025 in the stunning grounds of Scone Palace and Perth Racecourse.

Major donation of Scottish artworks boosts Renfrewshire civic collection

A magnificent collection of artworks has been donated to Renfrewshire's civic collection by Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, in memory of her late husband, John Shaw.

Renfrewshire launches Summer of Fun free activity programme

The new free summer activities programme for Renfrewshire children, young people and families is now available.

Countdown begins: The AJ Bell Great Scottish Run returns to Glasgow in October

Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow on Sunday 5th October and they want everyone to 'Be Your Greatest'.

Thousands turn out to celebrate Sma Shot Day 2025

Thousands turned out to enjoy a day of fantastic live entertainment at Paisley's annual Sma' Shot Day celebrations on Saturday!

BTS fans take the spotlight in latest K Pop documentary heading to Vue

BTS Army: Forever We Are Young, a brand-new documentary celebrating the fans that helped catapult 21st century pop icons BTS into global stardom comes to Vue.

Jason Manford to play Paisley Town Hall as part of tour

Comedian, actor, singer and presenter is latest big name to announce date at venue.

SAY Award opens submissions for eligible albums

Scotland’s national music prize – the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award – has opened submissions for 2025’s £20,000 prize.

Set sail for Paisley and enjoy a swashbuckling adventure on the high seas!

Ahoy there mateys! The Pirates of Paisley is this year's must visit FREE summer brick adventure!

Paisley Town Hall bells mark Imagination Library becoming permanent

Much loved reading programme, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Renfrewshire, celebrated becoming permanent with bell chimes.

Great value summer holiday activities at Dobbies Garden Centres

This summer, gather the whole family and head to Dobbies Garden Centres for a day of fun-filled activities that will keep costs down.

Crowds celebrate the summer at Barshaw Gala Day

Thousands turned out to celebrate summer at Barshaw Park on Saturday for Barshaw Gala Day.

FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores returns on 5th and 6th July

Summerfest, the FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores, is back on the 5th and 6th of July with lots of things to see and do!

Grab your free reusable cup!

Fancy grabbing a free reusable takeaway cup and then getting a discount on your next drink from some of our local cafes?

Thorn Athletic and Inchinnan Development Trust to create brand new artificial pitches in Renfrewshire

Two major community sports projects in Renfrewshire are set to benefit from a significant funding boost.

Earlybird tickets drive buzz for 2026 Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show

The biggest show of its kind in Scotland returns with Earlybird tickets and a give-away with headline sponsor Border Caravans!

July events at Dobbies Garden Centres

Check out July at Dobbies with it's Little Seedlings Club on rainforests and Grow How on pest control and healthy gardens!

Refurbished play park is a big success with local pupils

Pupils from Auchenlodment Primary School in Johnstone gave their refurbished play park a big thumbs up after it underwent a major upgrade earlier this year.

Historic Environment Scotland calls for public stories for national wellbeing exhibition

Historic Environment Scotland is calling for people across the country to connect with heritage to boost their wellbeing as a part of a national campaign, Historic Places, Breathing Spaces.

Clan Wrestling returns to Braehead Arena with former WWE Champions

After their first event in March, Clash of the Clans, Clan Wrestling makes its return to Braehead Arena on Saturday 6th September for its second event!