PUBLISHERS across the country have named Keighley-based Dionne Hood as Librarian of the Year.
Dionne, Bradford Council’s development officer for reading, won the accolade for her massive efforts organising events across 30 libraries.
She was chosen after a vote at the Publishers Publicity Circle whose 450 members include publicists at leading publishers Little Brown, HarperCollins, Virago, Bloomsbury and Penguin.
Dionne organises author readings, poetry readings, book signings, music events and talks for adults, as well as overseeing 102 book groups in the district.
She looks after the Bradford Libraries Creative Writing programme,, organising courses and workshops, and also works closely with groups running adult literacy and English As a Second Language activities.
She oversees usage of the Bradford Libraries book stock and is also responsible for buying adult fiction.
Dionne said: “The award is nice for me, obviously, and it’s nice to know what we do in Bradford Libraries and our events and projects are recognised and appreciated by the outside organisations we work with.”
Jess Barratt of Simon and Schuster, one of the publicists who nominated Dionne, described her as an exceptional ambassador for libraries.
Jess said: “She co-ordinates numerous events across 30 libraries in the region to bring an array of authors into local communities to share their work.
“She is passionate, enthusiastic and extremely proactive, and it has been a pleasure working with her on successful library events.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here