Southwold Library Manager receives British Empire Medal in King’s Birthday Honours

By James Powell | June 25, 2025

Suffolk Community Libraries is congratulating Charlotte Clark, Executive Library Manager who has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the King’s Birthday Honours List.

A long serving and incredibly popular member of the library service and local community, Charlotte is receiving the honour for her services to literacy and to the community in Reydon and Southwold.

Charlotte has worked for libraries since she doing work experience at 15. She was Assistant Librarian in the London Borough of Bexley and has worked for the library service in Suffolk since August 2003.

Charlotte is now an Executive Library Manager, a role which involves overseeing and supporting other library managers as well as looking after Southwold Library.

Her many achievements have involved overseeing the library moving from a very small building to the refurbished Old Hospital site in 2022 and ensuring the library always has a busy and varied schedule of events and activities. She has organised the very successful Slaughter in Southwold Crime Festival for many years with the 11th event taking place this weekend. She is also known for dressing up as different characters from children’s books to entertain school visits on World Book Day.

Charlotte said:

“I loved going to the library when I was a child, it is the only job I have ever wanted to do and my role at Southwold Library really is what I always hoped a library job would be. I am so happy that I can give so much to my community, but also that the local community has supported me and the library so much over the years.

“I am never convinced I am the most deserving of something like this, but I am so pleased to have been awarded it as it sends a lovely message to the community about how their library is valued.”

Krystal Vittles, Head of Library Service for Suffolk Community Libraries, added:

“We’re thrilled for Charlotte. She is the heartbeat of Southwold Library and epitomises what our libraries are all about with her energy, passion and creativity. I’m sure anyone who visits the library and knows Charlotte will agree she deserves this recognition for what she does for the Southwold community.”