Kirsten McCormick

Meet Kirsten McCormick this year’s recipient of the Travelling Librarian Award. The Award is offered by the English-Speaking Union (ESU) and The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) and builds the relationship between library and information professionals in the United Kingdom and their counterparts in the United States and across the Commonwealth. The recipient completes a 2-3 week study tour to examine a subject of professional interest, in order to share learning and good practice with colleagues at home and abroad. For the first time in its history, in 2013 the annual award is open to applications from UK librarians to visit any country in the Commonwealth.

Kirsten McCormick is the General Services Librarian at the Mitchell Library in Glasgow. In 2014 the city will host its first ever Commonwealth Games, with Glasgow Life and Glasgow Libraries working on the cultural programme in the lead up to and during the games.

Kirsten will use her award to complete a tour of Australia’s key libraries and archives in October 2013 to learn about the process of building and maintaining collections around an international sporting event. On Kirsten’s return, she hopes that her findings will assist Glasgow libraries in designing activities around the Games that focus on reader development, education, and engagement across the community.

Highlights of Kirsten’s tour will include the State Library of Victoria in Melbourne, the Australian Sports Commission in Canberra, and the State Library of New South Wales and the University of Technology in Sydney. Kirsten looks forward to meeting with a broad range of library professionals, and enjoying the hospitality of branches of ESU Australia.

Congratulations on the Award Kirsten, we know that you’ll be welcomed by your Australian colleagues.