Sinead Cooney, a senior library assistant in Roscommon Library Service headquarters, and Johanna Brennan, a librarian for Kilkenny County Council Library Service, are completing the two-year Library and Information Management Postgraduate Diploma at Ulster University.

Now in its 16th year, the diploma aims to enhance the knowledge and skill sets of information professionals nationally and internationally. It is supported by global law firm A&O through an annual award for best overall performance and accredited by professional body CILIP: the library and information association.

The course at Ulster University is delivered completely online, providing students with greater flexibility and a positive work/life balance.

Greg McCloskey, global head of IT service management at A&O Belfast, said: “Congratulations to this year’s top students, Sinead Cooney and Johanna Brennan.

“This course is designed to encourage excellence, delivering a range of valuable skills that are integral in shaping professional development. You have both demonstrated exceptional talent and I wish you every success as you develop your careers in library and information management.

“We recognise the role and value that skilled library and information professionals bring to an organisation. We are keen advocates of the course as the flexible online programme develops strong library, research and information skills techniques that are designed to increase career prospects in this sector.”

Professor David Barr, head of the School of Education at Ulster University, said: “Thanks to our well-established relationships with professional bodies and the wider industry in this field our graduates are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to succeed and meet the needs of this important sector.

“On behalf of the School of Education at Ulster University, I would like to offer my congratulations to this year’s joint recipients, Johanna Brennan and Sinead Cooney, on winning this award and to commend them on their achievements.

“I would also like to thank A&O. We are delighted that our students benefit from this on-going partnership with A&O, both in terms of their professional development as well as the achievement of personal success that this award imbues. This A&O award is considered a very prestigious accolade by the University.”

A&O’s Belfast office opened in 2011 and is the second largest office in the A&O network by headcount, employing over 700 people.