Jon Davis - Co-Chair

A Yorkshireman born and bred, I came to library work late in life. I spent nearly 25 years in the transport industry - working across the sector, at almost every level, from driver’s mate to managing director and proprietor. My last position was as a Passenger Operations Manager for Wallace Arnold (Coaches) Ltd.

I joined Kirklees Libraries in 2004 to drive mobile libraries. Since then, I have held several posts, including Operations Manager for Mobile & Home Service Libraries, Customer Service Manager at Huddersfield Central Library and Customer Service Manager (Projects) for the whole service. I am currently the Manager of Dewsbury Library, a hub library supporting three others. I have not completely abandoned my transport roots – in addition to my ‘day job,’ I am still on-call for the Council's Winter Service Team, (driving a gritter/snow-plough.)

I joined CILIP's Branch & Mobile Libraries Group in 2008. I took part in the Advisory Panel on Community Libraries and I have presented and published individually and jointly on Partnership Working and Managing Occupational Road Risk. I have been referred to as both ‘a bit of an expert’ and ‘a bit of an anorak,’ on the subject of Mobile Library Operations and, to be honest, either epithet could be appropriate! I have served on this Committee since the creation of the Public & Mobile Libraries Group and I am the publisher of the group journal, ACCESS.

I was privileged to be awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the New Year Honours List 2021, for "services to Public Libraries during Covid-19."

Jacquie Widdowson - Co-Chair

I started my library career in a busy London public library service. I took up the role of Darwen Librarian, for the Blackburn and Darwen Library Service, in 2016. My professional interests include digital platforms, events programming and marketing, social media and youth services.

I have been a member of CILIP since 2010, was a YLG London committee member for two years and have been a PMLG (formerly PLG) committee member since early 2012.

I gained my Librarian qualification at City University, London, where I was awarded a distinction in Information Management in the Cultural Sector MSc. I was awarded my MCLIP Chartership in January 2015.

In my spare time I am somewhat of an adventurer; I love travelling and trying new things. Most recently, I have been enjoying hawking, indoor sky-diving, segway rally, fire cooking, survival skills training, canyoning, kayaking, climbing and mountain walking.

Darren Edwards - Vice-Chair

I have worked in public libraries on and off since the late 90’s and have been interested in games for as long as he can remember. I started combining the two in 2013 and have been the UK coordinator for the American Library Association initiative, International Games Week, since 2015. I am currently a specialist services librarian with BCP Council.

Board games form part of Libraries Connected’s Core Universal Culture offer and as such are something all public library services in England, Wales and Northern Ireland should aim to offer. I am a keen advocate for gaming in libraries - particularly focusing on games that can support literacy and learning programmes.

Katie Ingham - Honorary Secretary (& Journal Editor)

Since graduating from the University of Liverpool in 2013, I have returned to my Yorkshire roots and have been working as a Customer Service Officer for Kirklees Libraries. A secondment as a Customer Service Officer (Projects) for the whole service allowed me to develop my knowledge and skills, with a particular focus on updating our new website, marketing and branding. I have also spent a year as a Learning Resource Centre Manager at a primary school; running reading schemes, teaching digital skills and promoting reading for pleasure.

Outside of work, I volunteer for Girlguiding, helping to run a local Guide unit of 10–14-year-olds. I love the variety this brings, we can be designing and creating mocktails one week and climbing and abseiling the next!

Julia Shepherd - Events Officer

I have worked in public libraries since 2000, for both Central Bedfordshire Council and Buckinghamshire County Council.

I joined the Cilip Branch & Mobile Libraries (BMLG) Committee in 2008 and, since the merger with PLG, have become a part of the Public & Mobile Libraries Group (PMLG) committee.

In my spare time I am the Principal clarinet player in my local concert band and also like playing my many other musical instruments. I enjoy LeRoc dancing and have had my own poetry book published.

Julie McKirdy - Honorary Treasurer

38 years working in a very busy branch library in Sandwell, West Midlands and my volunteering work within the local community has helped me to establish Thimblemill library as the arts and cultural hub, which it is today. I am actively involved with local groups in the community; I'm school governor to 2 local primary schools, secretary to a local conservation group, events officer to a local park, board director to a local community centre and board member to West Midlands police service.

I was awarded the prestigious BEM, (British Empire Medal) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in June 2015. I thought nothing could top this supreme award, but in September 2016, I was doubly honoured to be declared Public Library Champion of the Year.

In my spare time I like to travel, love finding hard to reach places, driving and the open roads to somewhere new; music, dancing, theatre and meals out all help me to unwind.

Aude Charillon - LACA Representative for Public Libraries

I am currently working as Library and Information Officer at Newcastle Libraries. Part of my time is spent within the Business & IP Centre Newcastle, managing the business collections and answering customer enquiries. I am also certified by the UK Intellectual Property Office to provide information regarding patents, designs, trademarks and copyright. Another part of my time is spent on expanding the digital and learning offers at Newcastle Libraries; especially relating to more advanced digital skills - coding, using online tools for creative remix of content, protecting one's privacy online, etc. I am a keen believer that libraries have a role to play in the open movement. I am part of the team pushing the open data agenda and linked activities at Newcastle Libraries. I have been a member of the CILIP North East Member Network committee for several years. I joined the Libraries and Archives Copyright Alliance as the public libraries representative in October 2016.

Ellie Robb - Committee Member (co-opted)  

I am 18 years old, and I am currently doing an apprenticeship with Kirklees Libraries as a Business Support Officer. I love the library environment and I am looking forward to gaining new skills and experience throughout my apprenticeship. 

I am a new member of CILIP, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with the PMLG committee as this will help me reach my KSBs for my apprenticeship, through assisting with event organisation and administration work for the committee.