Librarian Pauline and dementia scheme up for national awards

A Fife librarian could be named the UK’s best arts champion in an awards scheme, for which a kingdom programme for people with dementia has also been shortlisted.

Pauline Smeaton, service development supervisor St Andrews Library, is in the running for a Hearts for the Arts Award from the National Campaign for the Arts.

The Moments in Time initiative, which delivers monthly sessions in Duloch and Kirkcaldy libraries and in care homes for people with dementia, is up for the best arts project.

The awards recognise unsung heroes in local authorities who are championing the arts.

ONFife, which runs the region’s theatres, libraries, galleries and museums, is the only Scottish organisation to be shortlisted for judging by a panel including Susie Dent, of Channel 4’s Countdown, Gary

Kemp, of Spandau Ballet, and actress Julie Hesmondhalgh.

Pauline works with schools and libraries across north-east Fife, promoting libraries and literacy to children from babies to teenagers, including through Bookbug sessions, junior book clubs and holiday activities.

Her input is so valued by communities that she was named Ladybank’s citizen of the year in 2019 after being nominated by children and families of the village’s primary school.

Awards organisers said her work was “significantly needed” and she had succeeded in keeping libraries and literature in people’s lives.

Moments in Time helps people revisit memorable times in their lives through stories, poems, photographs and music.

Winners will be announced on February 14.

Pauline Smeaton.