!!! The Family Library is closing !!!
Closure planned by Directors on 31st July 2025 - read the statement from our Directors here
TAKE ACTION! The Friends of the Family Library are campaigning to keep us open
Who's Who?
Rakie Bennett
Library Manager - Mobile Services
rakie.bennett@familylibrary.im
I joined the library in July 2019 to take on the Bibliotherapy sessions, which have become increasingly popular since they started in 2016. In 2021, I then took over as Library Manager of the Mobile Services here at the Family Library. My favourite things are books, cats, books, wine, books, and books. My pronouns are They/Them. I am also a published author of 3 thrillers, which I will happily tell you about at every opportunity! I love working here at the library because it’s always a pleasure to share our passion for books with the community.
Sue Jolly
Library Manager - Family Services
Sue worked within the Department of Education for over 30 years as a class teacher and Deputy Head Teacher before offering her services as a part-time Library Assistant at the Family Library. Sue loved her first career in teaching on the Island but now equally loves her job as Library Manager (and role of Chair of the Friends Fundrasing Committee) at the Family Library where she often can be seen singing to the music and chatting with the Family members about ways to improve our services.
Graeme Jolly
Bibliotherapy Service
After having a very successful diving career I retrained as a Special Needs Nursery Nurse and had a successful career for 34 years. I took early retirement to start working at the Family Library.
Jan Moore
Assistant Librarian - Home Library Service
I have worked for the Mobile Library for over five years working in the Home Library Service - this fits in well with some of my interests, i.e. books, chatting with people and travel! When not working I like to spend my time researching holidays! I enjoy spending time with my family and visiting the Family Library with my grand children.
Kerry-Ann Mitchell
Assistant Librarian - Mobile Service
kerry-ann.mitchell@familylibrary.im
I’ve been at the Mobile Library since 2017 and I can truly say it’s the BEST job ever! I’m so lucky to be able to spend time on the Mobile Library Bus every week meeting wonderful people while driving through the beautiful Isle. As I’m a complete book addict, I’m also the lucky library assistant that gets to process all the new books on our library system. Last, but most certainly not least I work with wonderful colleagues who are all as passionate as I about all we do in both The Family and Mobile Libraries.
Michelle McBride
Assistant Librarian - Family Library Service
michelle.mcbride@familylibrary.im
After working in finance and having a background in languages and translation, Michelle now can be found in the Family Library fulfilling her life-long dream of being a librarian, putting her passion for books and languages to good use. A speaker of both French and German, Michelle runs the library’s French Club twice a week and is Secretary of the Friends of the Family Library. Michelle is always on hand to help you find the book you’re looking for, as well as being found dancing to Dingle Dangle Scarecrow at Toddle Tots or covered in glitter and paint at Stickyfingers!
Sarah Johnson
Assistant Librarian - Mobile Service
sarah.johnson@familylibrary.im
Sarah first visited the Family Library as a teacher and then as a parent. She worked part-time for the Schools Service since 2011, where she could be seen out and about delivering boxes of books to schools throughout the island. She is now part of the Family Library Mobile Services. Sarah also enjoys working with Teddy to provide Teddytime sessions on a Thursday.
Lionel Collister
Driver - Mobile Service
lionel.collister@familylibrary.im
Lionel joined the Family Library in January 2024 as a Driver for our Mobile Family Library. If you see him out on the road in our big vehicle, give him a toot!
Kurt Roosen
Executive Chairman
Kurt has been a resident of the Island for over 22 years after moving here from Guernsey and was a key part of saving the Family Library from closure in 2012 when part of the Manx Educational Foundation, and has stayed with the library ever since. Kurt is Head of IT and Operations at Cayman National Bank and is a Fellow of both the BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, and the RSA, in addition to being a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists, a London Livery Company.
