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Grantham Library team leader reveals what it's like to be a librarian in 2020




The role of Grantham Library has certainly changed over the years.

As with a lot of community services, public libraries are moving away from being quiet, dark places full of books and adapting to meet the demands of the digital age – and Grantham Library is no different.

Team leader Charlotte Harris takes pride in ensuring Grantham Library plays a key part in the local community and remains open and welcoming to everyone.

Charlotte Harris. (29538099)
Charlotte Harris. (29538099)

We caught up with her this week to discuss what it’s really like to be a librarian in 2020.

What inspired you to become a librarian?

It happened to be something I just found my way into and once I had a taste for the role, realised it was something that I wanted to pursue.

Of course I love reading but libraries are so much more than books. It is more about helping people make the most out of the library service. I came across the job role for cultural services advisor online and started on a three-hour-a-week contract at Boston Library before moving to Grantham Library on a more permanent basis in 2014.

After working here for three years, the opportunity arose for the team leader role. The role of a librarian is so varied and not at all what anyone would think we do.

Charlotte Harris. (29538112)
Charlotte Harris. (29538112)

What have been some of your highlights since joining Grantham Library?

It has to be all the events that we as a team have put on for the children, particularly the summer reading challenge certificate ceremony where we had a dog as the special guest.

I have also done storytime in my pyjamas for a reading promotion and dressed up as a witch on numerous occasions for the annual Harry Potter Night.

I also enjoy being recognised outside of the library, either by children saying, ‘there’s the library lady!’ or by adults spotting me and saying, ‘that reminds me, I must bring my books back’.

You must have seen some changes to the library service over the years?

For me, not too much change as I arrived when computers and self-service machines were already well established. The most recent changes are the changes to our printing system where you can now print from your phone, and we are adding a lot of our services online with a huge array of e-books, e-audio books and e-magazines.

What is next for you and the library?

We have a busy year ahead with the new computers and printing services and, of course, the summer reading challenge will be coming around again soon. We will be once again be opening our archives for the Gravity Fields festival in September.

Charlotte Harris. (29538057)
Charlotte Harris. (29538057)

Is there anything else that you would like our readers to know?

I would like to thank the public of Grantham for using their local library and supporting us. I also want to thank my team for all their hard work and dedication to run events and engage with the community of Grantham to ensure people can access a variety of information, whether that be for school, for work or for pleasure.



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