In June 2001, the post of Literature and Reading Development Officer began its three year term, reporting to Jane Dawson (Principal Arts Officer, Cheshire Arts Service).  Funding for the post came from both Arts and Library Services, and from North West Arts Board. 

A steering group has been set up to support the post which consists of Jane Dawson, Allan Bell (Resources and Development Manager, Cheshire Library Service), and Bronwen Williams (Literature Officer, North West Arts Board).

Job Purpose

To develop, undertake and support literature and reading development in association with librarians and arts development officers, and in line with the aims and objectives of the County Council's Cultural Strategy.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Develop, promote, manage, monitor and evaluate a range of practical literature and reading development projects which exemplify good practice or demonstrate innovative approaches in order to extend reader development opportunities to both existing and new audiences.
• Develop the use of ICT in literature and reading development work and activity to extend and increase access to literature and literature related events and activities.
• Research, develop and co-ordinate partnerships with County Council services, District Councils, the North West Arts Board and appropriate community and voluntary organisations to maximise sources of support and resources available to develop literature and reading development work.
• Maximise opportunities for cross theme working - e.g. social inclusion - within the County Council to ensure delivery of the objectives contained in the Cultural Strategy and Libraries and Culture Service Plans.
• Co-ordinate a programme of training in literature and reading development for librarians and arts development officers to enable local staff to participate in the implementation of the reader development strategy.
• Manage and monitor literature and reading development budgets and provide budget analyses to facilitate management decision making.
• Establish, strengthen and maintain county networks with external partners e.g. through bringing teachers, lecturers, librarians and arts development officers together, to share expertise in order that best practice in relation to literature and reading development can be adopted.
• Explore and exploit opportunities for generating external funding to ensure the continued development of literature and reading in Cheshire.
• Attend and actively participate in relevant local, regional and national networks to bring new approaches, contacts, resources and information to support the promotion and development of literature and reading in Cheshire.

Elizabeth Barron, Literature & Reading Development Officer, Cheshire Arts Service 

Elizabeth can be contacted at [email protected] or by phone on 01244 602898.