Staff
The Priaulx Library is a small organisation with only seven permanent members of staff, two of whom are professional librarians. The research assistants are highly knowledgeable in local and family history and are delighted to help overseas clients as well as visitors to the library.
Chief Librarian
Amanda Bennett, BA (Hons), MA, MCLIP
With ancestors from all the Channel Islands, England, France, Prussia and Italy, it was inevitable that I would end up in a library specialising in family history research. Born in Weymouth to a Guernsey mother and English father I've never lived more than a mile away from the sea, except my years at University when, just to be contrary, I ended up in the Midlands (Warwick and Loughborough)
I wrote a history of early Guernsey newspapers in 1995, which is available at the library and my other specialities include, Maps and Family History, but I will gladly speak at length on any subject, whether I'm an expert or not. Chief Librarian of the Priaulx Library is the best job I've ever had and I have no plans to move anywhere else. My favourite parts of the collections are the rare books and the photographs.
Email: amanda.bennett@priaulxlibrary.co.uk
Deputy Chief Librarian
Sue Laker, BA (Hons), Dip. Lib., CMS, MCLIP
As a third generation "Guern" with historical interests and a proclivity for island life and attractive scenery it is unsurprising that I have chosen to return here and pursue a career in library services in Guernsey.
A degree in history seemed a sensible first step and Southampton University was the obvious choice. After a foray into the library world as a library assistant (at the Priaulx Library), I decided that a library qualification was in order and spent a year in another coastal resort surrounded by beautiful scenery - at Aberystwyth.
Historical and library inclinations led me to employment at both the Greffe and the Guille-Allès Library, but the homing instinct proved irresistible and I returned to the Priaulx Library. Particular areas of local interest include the history of Methodism and the history of Guernsey from 1500, but I will happily pursue any historical or genealogical enquiry. Favourite collections at the Priaulx Library are the rare book and local map holdings.