About the LRCs

 

Alison Hensman:  Team Leader.  

Alison has been in post since March 2023 and previously worked in public libraries.  She is the person we go to when we have a problem.

LRC Likes: The calm, positive atmosphere.

 

LRC Disikes: Resources out of place.

 

Favourite Book: To kill a mockingbird by Harper Lee.

 

Fun Fact: Alison can roll her tongue.

 

 

Claire Barke. Information Specialist for Childcare, Health & Social Care, Teacher Education, Hair & Beauty, Animal Care and Foundation Studies 

Claire has worked in the LRC for 18 years. She has specialist resources knowledge in the above subject areas. She purchases the resources for these subjects and liaises with the subject tutors to make sure the LRC has the resources you’ll need for your course.

She also has specialist knowledge on all the relevant online resources so if you ever need a quick demo please get in touch with her.

LRC Likes:  Buying new books and watching students that have used the LRC successfully complete their course.

 

LRC Dislikes: Damaged and mishandled books.

 

Favourite Book: The BFG by Roald Dahl

 

Fun Fact: Claire is a very good singer and has been in local competitions

 

Sarah Holmes.  Information Specialist for Sport and Uniformed Protective Services, Business and Professional Studies, Media, Computer Science, Building Services and Construction, Engineering and Motor Vehicle.

Sarah has worked in the LRC since August 2022. She has specialist resources knowledge in the above subject areas. She purchases the resources for these subjects and liaises with the subject tutors to make sure the LRC has the resources you’ll need for your course.

She also has specialist knowledge on all the relevant online resources so if you ever need a quick demo please get in touch with her.

LRC LIkes: Discovering new resources.

 

LRC Dislikes: Overdue books.

 

Favourite Book: No matter what by Debi Gliori.

 

Fun facts: Sarah was the 1988 East Midlands Ladies Autograss car racing champion and is an usher at weddings in her spare time.

 

Stella Craggs. Learning Resources Assistant.

Stella worked in the emotional and behavioural difficulties team supporting learners in lessons before moving to the LRC two years ago. She spends lots of time and effort making some of the fabulous displays around the LRC. Stella is friendly and approachable and a great addition to our team.

LRC Likes: The variety of learners we get using the LRC.

 

LRC Dislikes: Secret eating in the LRC. Leaving it dirty and untidy for us to sort out.

 

Favourite Book: A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khalid Hosseini

 

Fun Fact: Whilst in Cornwall Stella once walked into someone's front room thinking it was a shop and started to browse!

 

 

Monika Frigot. Information Specialist for A levels, Access to HE, Performing Arts, Art & Design, ESOL, Travel & Tourism and Hospitality.

Monika is always a very busy lady and you can see her completing various jobs around the LRC. She is more than happy to help students and loves a good book so can be the person to ask for recommendations. Monika can also speak Polish if any students require that.

LRC Likes: Learners reading books.

 

LRC Dislikes: Seeing people disrespecting our learning space and books.

 

Favourite Book: There are so many books I love but if I have to pick one it would be “Shadow of the wind” by Carlos Ruiz Zafon 

 

Fun Fact: Monika is slightly obsessed with Second World War planes, coin collections and cats.

 

Lauren Thomas.  Learning Resources Assistant.

Lauren has worked in the team since February 2023 and previously worked in Catering.  Along with staffing the desks she is responsible for Finance and Journals.

LRC Likes: Her team mates and making displays.

 

LRC Dislikes:  Technical hitches.

 

Favourite Book: Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett.

 

Fun Fact: She would rather fight 100 duck-sized horses than 1 horse-sized duck.

 

Philip Stringer. Learning Resources Assistant

You may have seen Phil around college as a support worker, now he inhabits the library helping students and undertaking many tasks including chasing overdue books.

LRC Likes: The great variety of books the library has in stock.

 

LRC Dislikes: Disruptive students.

 

Favourite Book: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

 

Fun Fact: Whilst on holiday in Central America, Phil was held up at gunpoint!

 

 

Viv Holmes. Learning Resources Assistant.

Viv joined the team in November and came from Inspire public libraries

LRC Likes: The Lapsafe

 

LRC Dislikes: The unpredictable temperature in the LRC

 

Favourite Book: I am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes

 

Fun Fact:  Viv once owed a cafe/bar and cooked curry for 100 people.

 

 

Em Holmes. Learning Resources Assistant

Em joined the team in November and is responsible for laptop recovery.

LRC Likes: It provides a safe space for students to study.

 

LRC Dislikes:  Empty sweet wrappers hidden under desks.

 

Favourite Book:  Dethly Hallows by JK Rowling

 

Fun Fact:  Emma was a Design student at WNC and is a big Marvel/DC nerd,

 

 

Oakley Robertson. Learning Resources Assistant.

Oakley Joined the team in August 2023 and is our IT guru.

LRC likes:  The magazine selection and seasonal wordsearches.

 

LRC dislikes:  Chewed gum stuck under the tables.

 

Favourite book:  Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

 

Fun fact:  Oakley used to compete in a marching band in Canada and took home many awards while playing the saxophone.