Sharon Hardwick
@shazknit.bsky.social
220 followers 480 following 43 posts
Labour Camden Councillor | Beneficiary of free school meals | Trade Union Rep | European | Literary knitter. 🇺🇦🇪🇺
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Reposted by Sharon Hardwick
'Pivotal' moment for library sector. Key library bodies come together calling on Govt to work with them to publish a new Vision for Libraries. #CILIP's @louiscoiffait-gunn.bsky.social calls for ambitious political leadership to unleash the sector’s potential.
Library bodies form Libraries Alliance in 'pivotal' moment for sector
A number of organisations have launched the Libraries Alliance and called on the government to work with them to publish a new Vision for Libraries.
www.thebookseller.com
Join Community Association for #WestHampstead’s open day TODAY and see the activities on offer:

🇫🇷French Conversation
🧵 West Hampstead in Stitches
🧘‍♂️ Mindfulness & Wellbeing
🖼️Art & Life Drawing
📸 Photography
🪚Beginners’ Woodwork
…and more

TODAY 2-5pm | Free
cawh.org.uk cawh.org.uk
Come along to the Skills for Life - Open Day at the Community Association
for #WestHampstead. Meet the tutors - and your neighbours. Pop in and find out what your local community centre has to offer. Sat 4 Oct. ⤵️
cawh.org.uk
Reposted by Sharon Hardwick
Daily Telegraph running a nasty story attacking Camden’s support for refugees and asylum seekers, with truly vile comments from national and Camden Tories.

Not repeating the story but here is my response:
Reposted by Sharon Hardwick
Great to see Holmdale & Kingdon Roads looking so smart. Both laid in one day with minimal disruption to local residents. That’s what you get from #WestHampstead @camdenlabour.bsky.social Cllrs working hard on behalf of residents.

Use your vote on 28 Aug:
Vote Francesca Reynolds
#VoteLabour🌹
As Cllr @adamdkharrison.bsky.social points out in his letter ⤵️ - does this party want to make Camden a better place or just sow discord and cynicism? 🤔

@camdenlabour.bsky.social councillors want to serve residents, not score political points.

🗳️ #Vote Francesca
Reynolds
#VoteLabour🌹 on Thurs 28 Aug
❗️#WestHampstead folks! West End Lane is being resurfaced this weekend between Sandwell Crescent & the Fire Station 16-18 Aug. More welcome road improvements from @camdenlabour.bsky.social- run Camden Council. 🌹
Great to see Holmdale & Kingdon Roads looking so smart. Both laid in one day with minimal disruption to local residents. That’s what you get from #WestHampstead @camdenlabour.bsky.social Cllrs working hard on behalf of residents.

Use your vote on 28 Aug:
Vote Francesca Reynolds
#VoteLabour🌹
A great night in #WestHampstead introducing our brilliant candidate, Francesca Reynolds to residents. She’s a young, private renter and understands the challenges that so many of our residents face. The by-election is on 28 Aug. - register to vote and #VoteLabour🗳️ 🌹
Reposted by Sharon Hardwick
Abuse has no place in politics. It disproportionately deters women. And it's getting worse, as LWN sisters know too well. It is time for action: social media, police & political parties must do more to #diffuseabuse.
Join LWN & our campaign www.lwn.org.uk/lwn_diffuse_...
#DiffuseAbuse
Share your suggestions and examples of best practice; sign our charter; manifest change in your area; and keep on showing solidarity with your sisters.
www.lwn.org.uk
Reposted by Sharon Hardwick
🚨 Women are under-represented in Local Govt—and council leadership is lagging behind.
This is the time for action. We need to correct the leadership gap and make local govt inclusive.
Join LWN & our #Councils4ThisMillennium campaign🌹
www.lwn.org.uk/councils4thi...
Reposted by Sharon Hardwick
Tuesday wisdom from Natalie Haynes @nataliehaynes.bsky.social in her fascinating look at the great Library of Alexandria.

“Knowledge is hard-won, but easily lost… Cherish your libraries. They are places that scare people who don’t want us to think for ourselves.”

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
A fantastic reception from #WestHampstead residents today welcoming Francesca Reynolds as our Labour candidate for the by-election on 28 Aug. #VoteLabour🗳️ 🌹
Ethics - why I work at #CILIP: "Public libraries are obliged by law to serve all members of their communities and this concerning incident raises a fundamental question: who gets to decide what people can and can't read? The idea of politicians policing or banning books is profoundly troubling.” ⤵️
#CILIP raises concerns for the sector about misinformation, political pressure & the vital need for fact-based decision-making in public libraries following conflicting reports about the removal or relocation of "trans-ideological" books in Kent libraries: www.cilip.org.uk/news/705344/...
CILIP responds to Kent Library claims: Libraries are trusted for providing facts and freedom
CILIP raises concerns over conflicting reports about Kent County Council public libraries and the removal or relocation of books following political pressure.
www.cilip.org.uk
Reposted by Sharon Hardwick
Our #CILIPConf25 keynote @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social welcomes National Year of Reading on @BBCr4today but points out that with libraries still closing 'it ain't so easy' to tell children to go to their local library to access books. Listen to full interview - 1:42:27 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Reposted by Sharon Hardwick
Theo Parish’s #Homebody is a life-affirming graphic novel exploring identity & how society shapes our sense of self. Winner of #Carnegies2025 Shadowers' Choice Medal for Illustration, it shows despite our unique experiences a universal thread connects us. www.cilip.org.uk/news/703868/...
Home truths – a Pen&inc. interview with Carnegies Shadows’ Choice illustrator for 2025 Theo Parish
Carnegies Shadower’s Choice winner for illustration Theo Parish talks to CILP’s Pen&inc. about their winning book, Home Body.
www.cilip.org.uk
Reposted by Sharon Hardwick
📚 It's #LibrariesChangeLives Week: sustaining economic growth. We're celebrating how libraries transform lives & strengthen communities. Show how your library contributes to local or national growth. Invite your local MP and cllrs over to see your work. www.cilip.org.uk/page/librari...
There was an incident in Dennington Park Road in the early hours of this morning. I have just spoken to the police officers who are currently conducting a forensic search of the area. The road is taped off but will reopen soon. No more detail at this stage.
Have you seen this? Free children’s podcasting session taking place at #WestHampstead library this Saturday 24 May, 11am - 12:15pm for children aged 8–12. A fun, confidence-building introduction to podcasting.
Reposted by Sharon Hardwick
📢 Calling all MPs! Join today’s debate on the future of public libraries, 9:30 in Westminster Hall, led by Jonathan Davies MP. It’s time for a joined-up strategy that invests in libraries as platforms for opportunity, connection and growth. www.cilip.org.uk/news/700888/...
Reposted by Sharon Hardwick
📺Jonathan Davies MP is leading a Westminster Hall debate on the future of public libraries this morning at 9.30am. Watch the debate live on: www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/... #LibrariesChangeLives
Parliamentlive.tv
Westminster Hall
www.parliamentlive.tv
Reposted by Sharon Hardwick
Reposted by Sharon Hardwick
Dr. Carla Hayden has been dismissed as Librarian of the Library of Congress with immediate effect.
Held in great respect by the profession, Dr Hayden was the 1st professional librarian to hold the post since '74, the 1st woman & the 1st African American to hold the post.
apnews.com/article/dona...
President Trump fires Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden
President Donald Trump has abruptly fired Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden as the White House continues to purge the federal government of those perceived to oppose the president and his agenda.
apnews.com
I would have absolutely loved this as a kid! #WestHampstead #Library has a Stop-motion animation workshop on Sat 31 May, 3pm-4pm. For ages 6 and over.

Let their imagination run wild! Bring your children along to come and create their own mini movie. @camdencouncil.bsky.social