BookStart Baby Gifting award presented to librarian Irene Peachy

Mayor Ian Duckworth, Sharon Palmer-Johnston (BookStart), Vicky Clarke (Libraries Manager), Irene Peachy and Mayoress Christine Duckworth

Librarian Irene Peachy received the national ‘BookStart Baby Gifting’ award from Sharon Palmer-Johnston of BookStart and the Mayor Ian Duckworth at Heywood Library.

Irene has dedicated her life to sharing books, songs and rhymes with thousands of babies and pre-schoolers and dozens of parents and their young children were present to witness the ceremony.

Irene said: “It was so humbling to be presented with the award and it was lovely to see so many familiar faces watch it being presented. I have loved every minute of my time in Rochdale and I am hoping to carry on for a few more years yet.”

Diana Gerald, chief executive of BookTrust, said: “We are absolutely delighted to present Irene with the Baby Gifting Partner Award.

"Irene has worked tirelessly in Rochdale and her Bookstart sessions are incredibly popular.

"BookTrust is privileged to recognise Irene’s hard work, dedication and enthusiasm to Bookstart and making the stories, rhymes and songs fun and engaging."

Councillor Janet Emsley, council cabinet member for libraries, said: “It was lovely to see Irene officially receive her well-deserved reward. She is so popular with children and their parents and does an amazing job to promote a love of reading to children. The council is lucky to have Irene and long may she continue to be the face of storytelling across the borough’s 17 libraries.”

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/138/community-news/113924/librarian-irene-peachey-wins-national-award