Alec Williams has had over thirty years experience working in library services to children and education in the UK.  After posts in Chester, Lancashire and Calderdale, in the North of England, Alec was Head of Children's Services for Leeds Library & Information Service until 1999.

In the course of his work, Alec has written articles, spoken to national conferences, and been featured on radio and television in the UK.  He has contributed to publications from CILIP (formerly the UK Library Association), and in 1999 was made an Honorary Member of its Youth Libraries Group.

Alec is currently Chair of the School Library Association in the UK, working with school librarians throughout the country and abroad.  He now works independently, as a trainer, writer, speaker and adviser in children’s books, reading, libraries and literacy.  His work includes training courses for teachers and librarians (subjects include school libraries, promoting reading, information skills, and storytelling), as well as consultancy, and public speaking.

Alec’s work for the British Council includes:

• Writing the Council’s ‘Under the Skin’ document on reader-centred activity
• A visit to British Council in Malaysia - including video-conferenced storytelling!
• Training for British Council in Slovakia, Egypt, Poland and Spain.

Alec has worked with many international schools, including a visit to four in Japan earlier this year.  As Secretary of the Reading Section of IFLA, he will be in Buenos Aires for their conference from 20th - 27th August.

Alec has always been an enthusiast for children’s books and reading, and in addition to a reputation as an entertaining speaker, he is active in storytelling and poetry work with children themselves - in schools, libraries, and elsewhere.