Karen working with children in Kenya
Karen Sharkey
Head of Programmes and Operations
Prior to joining Book Aid International, Karen had extensive experience in running and managing programmes at public libraries in Canada, with a specific focus on library services and projects targeted to children and teenagers. She also served for four years as a member of the International Board on Books for Young people (IBBY) Canada Executive, and worked for two years as a Library and Information Officer at the International Labour Organization in Geneva.
She joined Book Aid International in 2009 as our Programme Development Librarian, and in that role developed programmes and projects in Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya, and led our increasingly important children’s services development. She also edited our networking newsletter BookLinks and produced our guide to running child friendly libraries.
Karen has a Masters degree in Library and Information Studies, and a Postgraduate Diploma in New Literacies/Education.
She was appointed Head of Programmes and Operations in November 2011.
