AN assistant librarian at Galashiels Library has been nominated for Best Arts Champion in this year’s National Campaign for the Arts' (NCA) Hearts for the Arts Awards 2022.

The awards celebrate the unsung heroes of Local Authorities who are championing the arts against all odds and Debbie McGill was selected for her work serving the communities of the Scottish Borders, and leading on two key projects during the pandemic, namely the Creative Writing for Wellbeing; and the Connecting the Borders Digital Champion Programme.

This year’s winners will be selected from the shortlist by a judging panel of key arts industry experts and practitioners, including Krishnan Guru-Murthy presenter of Channel 4 News Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Dragon’s Den’s Deborah Meaden, and actor Simon West.

Discussing Debbie’s nomination, Hearts for the Arts Award partners said: “Debbie’s work has made an enormous difference to her community, helping hundreds of people to be connected and benefit from creative activity during the pandemic. This is an excellent example of the difference one determined and energetic person can make.”

In response to being shortlisted, Debbie said: “I am so delighted to be shortlisted for the Hearts for the Arts Awards. The last year has been hard for everybody and we worked really hard to bring our library services and cultural activities to life and support everyone. The Creative Writing for Wellbeing, and Connecting Scotland were wonderful initiatives that brought people together, and I am so proud and excited to have been shortlisted.”

Ewan Jackson CEO of Live Borders said: “Debbie thoroughly deserves this recognition. With Debbie’s energy and enthusiasm the Library service has evolved over the last year to deliver an exciting range of cultural activities that have brought support and enjoyment to communities across the Borders. The success of these new projects demonstrates the range of exciting initiatives and services a library service can deliver. Well done to Debbie and to the entire team.”

The winners of the Hearts for the Arts Awards 2022 will be announced on Valentine’s Day 14 February 2022.