The theme of Libraries Week June 2025 was ‘Libraries Change Lives’ so we asked staff and partners to share a few words about how our libraries have changed lives!
Sendias Bathnes
Sendias Bathnes offer free, impartial and confidential information, advice and support to children and young people between the ages of 0 to 25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their parents/carers.
The service partnered with libraries across Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) to introduce a pilot series of Early Years Reading Groups for families with young children (0-5 years) with SEND. The initiative aimed to create an inclusive and welcoming space for families, encouraging engagement through books while fostering connections between parents and carers, reducing isolation and providing an opportunity for them to find out more about the support that Sendias Bathnes can offer.
We would like to say a big thank you to the library teams who provided:
- Welcoming Spaces – Creating safe, accessible environments where families feel comfortable.
- Inclusive Book Titles – Tailored to various developmental and sensory needs.
- Multi-Sensory Book Bags – Incorporating tactile elements to enhance engagement.
- Sensory Spaces – Providing designated areas equipped with calming, interactive materials.
By joining forces, Sendias Bathnes and B&NES libraries have strived to support families who have a child with SEND and to Change Lives.
Esme
I started working in a café from the age of 14 which created my passion for wanting to work with people so when I finally had finished school, and an apprenticeship popped up for a role to help the B&NES community I applied right away.
I enjoy my day-to-day work because every day is different, and it is always a positive environment. It is such a pleasure to be able to help people, and I am grateful to have such lovely and supportive colleagues.
My favourite part of my role is getting to go to new places and meet new faces for outreach events.
Chloe
I have always loved working with people and my career to date has reflected that. But working in the hospitality industry for a lot of years started to wear my positivity down.
The Library and Information service has brought my smile back, I get to help people, whether it’s a book recommendation (which is a real pleasure) or a bus pass and having someone say ‘wow, that was easy’ and knowing I’ve made their life a little less stressful.
This maybe a cliche but my day is so varied, and I love every part of it (even the tougher days).
Cathy
As a 17 year old who didn’t know what I wanted to do when I left school and loved reading, I decided to be a librarian. It didn’t happen straightaway. Nearly 40 years later, I’ve realised my dream.
My journey started as a secretary, a Personal Assistant, a stay-at-home mum, then 20 years as a Primary School Teaching Assistant. Last year I had had enough – I applied for this job, and eventually (after a pause for recruitment freeze, when I thought I hadn’t been successful!) I got this job.
I love my job – why didn’t I do this years ago? I am easier to live with (apparently), got my mojo back and love life – no 2 days are the same.
Izzy
My journey into libraries began by undertaking an apprenticeship in customer services. Before I began working in the library I had tried many different careers, including hospitality, retail and even working with the emergency services, but nothing would stick.
This apprenticeship has brought me into a career that I love, and has helped build my skills. By studying and working at the same time I have found a fulfilling career.
The library is a busy, fun environment full of constant opportunities for growth and development. I now have the confidence to seek out these opportunities, and undertake roles such as accessibility champion in Bath Central Library. This role has allowed me to be involved with Share The vision, a project which highlights how libraries support access for visually impaired customers.
I am excited to see what other projects I can be involved in, and how I can use my skills to best support library borrowers. With a great team around me I hope this is the beginning of a long career, and once I have passed my apprenticeship I hope to move into a permanent role in the library.
Alice
Working for BANES has opened new doors for opportunities and the chance to build my confidence in customer services and libraries. Using my skillset and visual memory of finding customer’s reservations and requesting stock to printing replacement bus passes and processing payments, no two days are the same.
You meet customers from many walks of life which is refreshing. It is through my job role that I am self-studying and funding my professional chartership aspirations of library and information science to hopefully progress onto becoming a children’s librarian.
I have been lucky enough to serve on judging panels such as for Wilbur Smith Adventure Novel Writing Prize and BBC 500 words which have added to my portfolio and improved my time management planning.
As an autistic member of staff, I hope to inspire the next generation and show that anything is possible, with the right support and encouragement.
Emily
Starting in 2015 as a Library Assistant, I‘m now Volunteer Coordinator and public libraries definitely have a hold on me; I’ve started a post-grad degree in Library and Information Studies!
Working in development allows me to learn new skills while improving our service, including building our Virtual Library and starting volunteer-led groups.
The variety is amazing! From volunteer coffee mornings, making craft packs, building virtual exhibitions, and creating a murder mystery, I’m always surprised at what I can achieve.
Having an idea, implementing it with support from my brilliant colleagues, and seeing the community enjoy the results is so satisfying! I can’t imagine doing anything else!
Matt, Early Years Service
The Early Years Service is proud to team up with B&NES Libraries to boost early language skills in young children.
During our visits to early years settings, we:
- Promote the family-friendly library sessions
- Share book recommendations that support early learning and children with English as an Additional Language (EAL)
- Encourage a love of stories and reading from the very start
Reading aloud, whether in settings or at the library, helps children:
- Tune into language
- Build listening skills
- Understand how stories work
Through our regular bulletins to settings, we keep them updated with top book choices and events that inspire children and families to read, talk, and learn together.
