Mike Brook

Mike Brook has worked in public libraries in Kent, North Yorkshire, Leeds and West Berkshire.  He is a member of the Branch & Mobile Libraries Group Committee and has been on the Umbrella Planning Group since 2002.  Mike's current role in West Berkshire includes oversight of Lifelong Learning, Stock, Training and the dual use library that serves both Theale Green Community School and the local village.  Mike has chaired several Umbrella sessions and was MC at our Awards Presentation Dinner in 2007.

The Pupils, The Public and Where Are The Teachers! -  Serving Different Client Groups in a Dual-use Library

In May 2004 a small branch library near Reading re-opened as an extended building, serving both the small local community and one of West Berkshire 's largest secondary schools.  Christened "The Gateway", the Library offered more resources than ever before to its small existing clientele.  But merging part-time branch provision with serving a school of 1400 pupils and their teachers was a challenge for the staff and their manager.  Five years on, the manager reviews progress on meeting these varied needs and developing a model for success in dual-use libraries.