Roscommon woman excels at Ulster University

A Roscommon woman has been awarded a prestigious Allen & Overy (A&O) award, recognising talent in the field of librarianship and information management.

Sinead Cooney, a senior library assistant in Roscommon Library Service headquarters, received the award along with Johanna Brennan, a librarian for Kilkenny County Council Library Service, following a two-year Library and Information Management Postgraduate Diploma at Ulster University. 

The course, now in its 16th year, aims to enhance the knowledge and skill sets of information professionals nationally and internationally. It is supported by global law firm A&O through an annual award for best overall performance and accredited by professional body CILIP: the library and information association.

The course at Ulster University is delivered completely online.

Sinead said that the course had provided her with an excellent foundation to build her library and information skills. “It has been a very rewarding online course, which provided me with the flexibility to study and work full-time. It has given me realistic and relevant skills for working in an ever-changing, modern information environment, and given me confidence to progress in this sector. I would like to thank A&O for its support of this exceptional course and for its recognition of the importance of skilled library and information professionals.” 

Greg McCloskey, Global Head of IT Service Management at A&O Belfast said: “Congratulations to this year’s top students, Sinead Cooney and Johanna Brennan. This course is designed to encourage excellence, delivering a range of valuable skills that are integral in shaping professional development. You have both demonstrated exceptional talent and I wish you every success as you develop your careers in library and information management.”