Ms Briony Birdi (née Train)

Lecturer in Librarianship

BA (Hull), MA (Sheffield), MCLIP

Contact details

Teaching

Much of my teaching relates to public, youth and school libraries and librarianship. Within these three areas I focus on public libraries and diversity, and on reading research and the promotion of literature and reading. I coordinate the following postgraduate modules:

INF6180 Libraries, Information and Society

INF6013 Library Services for Children and Young People

INF6190 Public Libraries

Professional standing

• Member, Race Research Network, University of Sheffield (2012-)
• Member, Faculty of Social Sciences Equality and Diversity Committee (2013-)
• Associate Editor, Library Review (2008-)
• Editorial board member, New Review of Children's Literature and Librarianship
• Academic representative, CILIP Library & Information Update Editorial Board (2009-)
• Standing Committee Member, IFLA Literacy & Reading Section (2002-2011)
• Member, CILIP Community, Diversity and Equality Group (2007-)
• CILIP Public Library Journal Editorial Board (2005-2009)
• SINTO Social Exclusion Group (2007-2009)
• External Examiner, University of Strathclyde (2007-8), Liverpool John Moores University (2008-2011)

Research interests

My main research interests are in the following areas:

• Reading research and the promotion of literature and reading, in particular the reading and promotion of minority ethnic fiction
• Public libraries, with an emphasis on social inclusion and diversity
• Youth libraries and reading; the role of libraries in education

Key publications

Birdi, B. (2012) The Changing Shape of Reading - the 21st century challenge. In C. Rankin and A. Brock (Eds.), Library Services for Children and Young People: challenges and opportunities in the digital age. (39-48). London, England: Facet.

Birdi, B., Wilson, K. & Mansoor, S. (2012). ‘What we should strive for is Britishness’: an attitudinal investigation of ethnic diversity and the public library. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 44(2), 118-128.

Birdi, B . & Syed, M. (2011) Exploring reader response to minority ethnic fiction. Library Review, 60(9), 816-831.

Birdi, B. (2011) Investigating fiction reader characteristics using personal construct theory. Aslib Proceedings, 63(2/3), 275-294.

Birdi, B., Wilson, K. & Tso, H.M. (2009) The nature and role of empathy in public librarianship. The Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 41(2), 81-89.

Birdi, B., Wilson, K. & Cocker, J. (2009) The public library, exclusion and empathy: a literature review. Library Review, 57(8), 576-592. Winner, 2009 Outstanding Paper Award, Emerald Literati Network.

Train, B. (2007) Research on family reading: an international perspective. Library Review, 56(4), 292-298.

Wilson, K. & Train, B. (2006) The Lifelong Impact of Lifelong Learning. Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning, 8(1), 14-26. http://www.staffs.ac.uk/journal/Volume81/contents.htm

Wilson, K. & Train, B. (2006) Marketing Library Services to Children and Young People: the Role of Schools Library Services. New Review of Children´s Literature and Librarianship, 12(2), 147-161.

Train, B. (2003) Building up or breaking down barriers? The role of the library in adult basic skills education. Library Review, 52(8), 394-402.

Elkin, J., Train, B. & Denham, D. (2003) Reading and reader development: the pleasure of reading. London, England: Facet.

Thebridge, S. & Train, B. (2002) Promoting reading through partnerships: a ten-year literature overview. New Library World, 103 (4/5), 131-40. Highly Commended Award, Literati Club, 2003

Train, B. & Elkin, J. (2001) Measuring the unmeasurable: reader development and its impact on performance measurement in the public library sector. Library Review, 50 (6), 295-304. Winner, R.D. MacLeod Award for Excellence, Literati Club, 2002

Train, B. and Elkin, J. (2001) `Branching Out: a model for experiential learning in professional practice´, The Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, vol. 33 (2), 69-75.

Train, B. & Elkin, J. (2001) Effecting change: reader development projects in public libraries. Library Management, 22 (8/9), 395-403.

Train, B., Dalton, P. & Elkin, J. (2000) Embracing inclusion: the critical role of the library. Library Management, 21(9), 483-90.

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