Blog Editor – Andrea Murray BEng (Hons), BA (Hons), MA, PGCE

I'm the Librarian for an Infant School in Bristol, currently working towards Professional Registration. Interests include children's reading for pleasure and digital literacy. Long time reader, first time librarian.

Blog Editor - Hannah Wood

Originally from Greater Manchester, Hannah is a newly qualified Librarian working in the NHS. Her interests include innovative technologies, knowledge management, and evidence-based practice.

Events Co-ordinator - Vacant

Professional Registration Support Officer (PRSO): Devon & Cornwall - Donna Gundry, PG Dip, MCLIP, FCLIP

I have over 12 years experience working in educational libraries. Currently I am the Head of Library Services at Plymouth College of Art, a specialist and independent Higher Education Institution. Prior to this, I have worked within Devon County Council libraries, as well as part of the children services team at Great Moor House. Having relocated to the South West, I am passionate about supporting my profession within the region, with my mentoring and PRSO role for CILIP, as well as active board member for SWRLS.

Professional Registration Support Officer (PRSO): West Country - Nicola Forgham-Healey, MSc Econ, MCLIP, QTLS

Professional Registration Support Officer (PRSO): John Creech, MCLIP

I've been a KIM professional within the Ministry of Defence in many different roles since 2011 having worked and gained experience from the different disciplines of KIM, most recently Knowledge Management working on Learning from Experience (also known as Organisational Learning). I completed my Chartership in 2015 (the first person in my area of the MOD to do so) and am looking forward to completing KM Chartership.

In my spare time I enjoy motorsport and travel to many events at race circuits in the South taking photos as an enthusiastic amateur which I share across the motorsport community.

Digital Technologies Officer - Sim Taylor

Digital Technologies Officer - Kay Ecclestone, BA (Hons), MLib, MA (education Management), PGCE (PCE)

I have been a professional librarian for over 30 years having worked in public, industrial, university libraries and school libraries before moving to the FE sector. I've always believed that networking, formal and informal, collaboration and sharing is critical for my professional development, for the development of individuals, and for your service. I have set up and been involved with various informal library groups as well as being a CILIP member since I was a student. I was honoured to be elected Chair of CILIP-SW in October 2021 having served as the representative for Inspire (a networking group for Cornish librarians), as Local Events Co-ordinator for Cornwall since 2014 and as Acting Vice-Chair (2020-21). As Chair (2021-23), I wanted to encourage membership so that others benefit from the networking and collaboration that I have experienced and to extend a warm welcome to members from all different areas of library, information and knowledge management fields.

Local Event Liaison: Bristol, Bath & Somerset - Rachel Darling, BA (Hons), MA, PGCE.

Originally from South Wales, I now live in Bristol. Previously, I was an Early Years Teacher but now work for Bristol Libraries in two roles as Library Early Years Coordinator and Library Supervisor. I have recently sent off my CILIP Chartership for assessment and I am excited to get more involved with events with CILIP SW in the future! I love tea, cats and books.

Local Event Liaison: Devon, Cornwall & Isles of Scilly - Christina Carson, A Chartered Librarian, volunteer and trustee at the Morrab Independent Library.

I began my professional career in the 1980s working as a library assistant at Penzance Public Library. I went on to have 3 children, a brief sojourn into farming, and then on to study for a Library & Information degree at Aberystwyth. I progressed to the role of Library Manager at St Ives and St Just in 2007, and then got a brilliant job as a senior manager in 2011 at the University Campus Library at Penryn. I have now retired from full time work but I continue to do the odd library relief work in public libraries and still mentor colleagues in their professional registration. I am currently treasurer of CILIP SW.

I love sea swimming and horse riding, which always keeps me smiling!

Local Event Liaison: Gloucestershire - Catherine Chorley, BA (Hons), MSt, PgDip, MCLIP

Librarian and Archivist, Bristol Baptist College.

Previous experience includes working in a busy public library in Gloucester, where I managed the home library service and co-ordinated the ‘green’ initiatives as part of the wider County Council strategic objective.

I also have experience working in higher education libraries, and did my initial training in research librarianship, special collections and archives.

I am a voracious reader and drinker of coffee.

Local Event Liaison: Wiltshire & Dorset - Judith Bishop BLS (Hons), MCLIP

I have been a professional librarian for over 25 years and chartered since 2003 working as a professional library cataloguer in a variety of libraries from University, FE; the Society of Genealogists and Hereford Cathedral. I was the Information and Archives Officer for almost 15 years at Barnabas Fund.

In January 1981 I joined the Library Association as a student member while at Loughborough School of Librarianship and became one of the student reps for the Association of Assistant Librarians (AAL) the forerunner of the Career Development Group (CDG). I took on the role of Hon Treasurer of the West Midland CDG and later was called to be its National Hon Treasurer.

Being asked to join the SW committee is a wonderful opportunity to network, grow professionally and get to know other active professionals in this area.

Like Catherine I'm a drinker of coffee in the morning then Red bush or Rooibos Tea in the afternoons and I enjoy organising and dancing at ceilidhs.

Retired Member Liaison: Valerie Bearne

Valerie Bearne, MCLIP. Career based in public libraries - Newton Abbot Public Library, Bath Municipal Libraries, Avon County Libraries and Bath & NE Somerset Libraries, in various roles. Since retirement has continued with committee membership, in order to share experience and keep in touch with professional colleagues. Founded and chaired the Bristol Area Social Inclusion Network, which organised many training events for librarians. More recently has organised a range of group visits, including Windsor Castle Archives, Dartmouth Royal Naval College Library, Bristol Zoo Library and Education Centre, Derriford Hospital Library, the Meteorological Office Library, Devon County Archive and a virtual tour of Gibraltar Garrison Library. Has re-purposed professional skills and now informs and supports self/custom builders, landowners and relevant professionals in the self-build sector.