Woke at 6.20am anxious about the missing USB and thinking through where I would look for it. Decided just to get up and go look for it. Arrived at work at 7.40am and looked everywhere logical with no joy. My manager arrived at 8.20am and together we tore the place apart looking in ridiculous places and eventually found the USB in a very odd place. I'm feeling a bit worried about poltergeists but nonetheless am so relieved that we found the thing! We've agreed that USBs aren't the way forward and I've backed up everything on it.
Left work at 8.50am (I'm on annual leave today) and confused a lot of students who saw me leaving as they were walking in!
Now time to finalise and post this week's blogs and get ready to go to Berlin!
Friday 4 December 2009
A Week In the Life - Thursday
Opened up at 8.30am. Started with my usual tasks: stats, journals.
Spent the morning on the Circ Desk, inbetween serving users I got some admin jobs done. Contacted The Reading Agency about ordering more diaries, certificates and bookmarks for the Six Book Challenge - we've got 50 places and after 4 days of registration we've got 30 participants already! Looks like my publicity campaign has worked. Sent round my weekly All Students email bulletin about the week's new journals and newspapers.
One of the English teachers sent round an All Staff and Students email about getting more contributors to the college blog. After speaking with my manager I contacted her about the LRC putting up blog entries on new stock, events, promotions and book reviews. I'm quite keen to push some of our 6 Book Challenge participants to write book reviews that we can put up, I'm also going to speak to some of our keen readers that come in - that's something to work on next week.
Today's Student Assistant came in at 1.15, I sent her to strict shelf tidy in the study centre next door. From the library I kept hearing a lot of noise coming from the study centre and popping in to check she's okay - I think she thinks I'm a bit odd! Also spent time on the desk with her shadowing me.
Sorted out next week's Student Assistant rota after checking that other LRC staff don't have any tasks to add to it, and discussed with my manager what jobs to give the assistant who'll be in tomorrow as I won't be in.
Typed up a set of Till Procedures to go in our new staff shared drive. Adapted one of the info skills powerpoints to make it specific to science for a session we are running next week. Started work on procedure/training notes on cataloguing as there is nothing in place already!
In the evening I had a meeting with the other owners at my block of flats as myself and another owner manage the flats. Stressful stuff. In the midst of it received a text from my boss, the Info Skills USB is missing. Hardly slept for worry.
Spent the morning on the Circ Desk, inbetween serving users I got some admin jobs done. Contacted The Reading Agency about ordering more diaries, certificates and bookmarks for the Six Book Challenge - we've got 50 places and after 4 days of registration we've got 30 participants already! Looks like my publicity campaign has worked. Sent round my weekly All Students email bulletin about the week's new journals and newspapers.
One of the English teachers sent round an All Staff and Students email about getting more contributors to the college blog. After speaking with my manager I contacted her about the LRC putting up blog entries on new stock, events, promotions and book reviews. I'm quite keen to push some of our 6 Book Challenge participants to write book reviews that we can put up, I'm also going to speak to some of our keen readers that come in - that's something to work on next week.
Today's Student Assistant came in at 1.15, I sent her to strict shelf tidy in the study centre next door. From the library I kept hearing a lot of noise coming from the study centre and popping in to check she's okay - I think she thinks I'm a bit odd! Also spent time on the desk with her shadowing me.
Sorted out next week's Student Assistant rota after checking that other LRC staff don't have any tasks to add to it, and discussed with my manager what jobs to give the assistant who'll be in tomorrow as I won't be in.
Typed up a set of Till Procedures to go in our new staff shared drive. Adapted one of the info skills powerpoints to make it specific to science for a session we are running next week. Started work on procedure/training notes on cataloguing as there is nothing in place already!
In the evening I had a meeting with the other owners at my block of flats as myself and another owner manage the flats. Stressful stuff. In the midst of it received a text from my boss, the Info Skills USB is missing. Hardly slept for worry.
A Week In the Life - Wednesday
Started work at 9, did my usual tasks (stats, journals etc) while on Circ Desk then started on some admin tasks. Had a good look through my work for Friday and Monday to work out how I'm going to get everything done before I go on leave (I'm going to the Berlin Christmas Markets from Friday-Monday). Looked through the Info Skills presentations that'll we'll be doing next week to check all hyperlinks work. Rescheduled the 6 Book Challenge talk that was missed yesterday for next Tuesday. Finally got our secure LRC staff area set up in the All Staff shared drive - up until now we've been storing work on USB sticks or in our own areas. Have discovered that our IT department respond well to the promise of Fruitellas :)
Spent about 20 mins working one-to-one with a student helping him with his English coursework. This isn't strictly part of my job, but I'm happy to help if I have the time and it's a subject that I'm confident with.
At 11.15 I had a slightly belated induction meeting with the principal and a few other members of staff that started since September.
I left work at 1 and went down to the Online Information Show at Olympia. I was a bit disappointed with it this year to be honest as there was a lot of content management and hardly anything for education. Although I did have an interesting chat with British Standards so I hope they send me some info on their free resources. I also had a chat with the lady at the CILIP stand about chartering - I've been advised to send a CV of what I do in my role as there is some uncertainty whether I qualify to charter. My role doesn't require a library qualification but I undertake work that is usually done by qualified librarians so there is a slight grey area. Hopefully I'll get that done on Friday when I'm on leave.
In the evening my team had a bowling match: I won one, lost one. Not that happy with my own overall pins scores, but it was good to see my team.
Spent about 20 mins working one-to-one with a student helping him with his English coursework. This isn't strictly part of my job, but I'm happy to help if I have the time and it's a subject that I'm confident with.
At 11.15 I had a slightly belated induction meeting with the principal and a few other members of staff that started since September.
I left work at 1 and went down to the Online Information Show at Olympia. I was a bit disappointed with it this year to be honest as there was a lot of content management and hardly anything for education. Although I did have an interesting chat with British Standards so I hope they send me some info on their free resources. I also had a chat with the lady at the CILIP stand about chartering - I've been advised to send a CV of what I do in my role as there is some uncertainty whether I qualify to charter. My role doesn't require a library qualification but I undertake work that is usually done by qualified librarians so there is a slight grey area. Hopefully I'll get that done on Friday when I'm on leave.
In the evening my team had a bowling match: I won one, lost one. Not that happy with my own overall pins scores, but it was good to see my team.
A Week In the Life - Tuesday
Started work at 9am. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays the other library assistant is doing the course I've just completed so I'm always happy to see her and hear what's happening.
I did my regular tasks first such as doing yesterday's stats. The post is coming really late at the moment but once it'd arrived I inputted and stamped the journals and took them round the study centres.
I spent most of the morning on the circulation desk unpicking some of the cataloguing problems. We have a situation where a lot of people have been cataloguing over the library's 2 year history - most of them unqualified library assistants with no previous experience of cataloguing and no training. Once we get our LMS update in a few weeks I can really get stuck in with some block changes but for now I'm just trying to unpick a few things. At the moment it isn't a massive problem as we have a small collection and no dedicated OPAC so the only people who search the catalogue are LRC staff, but we're hoping to change this with the Info Skills sessions and getting an OPAC PC in the new year.
Had a group of media student taking pictures in the LRC this morning without asking the manager for consent, or asking consent of the individuals they were photographing (myself included) and refused to delete images when requested. As my BA was Photographic Arts I find it really frustrating when students don't appreciate the ethics around these things. That said we have a digital native/immigrant divide between the staff and students and these students' attitude to questions of privacy and representation reflect that. I had a quiet word with the Learning Mentor for Creative Arts who took the problem back to their teacher - seemed like a more political approach that sending a pointed email to All Staff.
I went to speak to an ESOL class about the 6 Book Challenge at 11.15 but found that the class was cancelled as the teacher wasn't in, which was a shame as I'd psyched myself up!
After lunch a Student Assistant came in to do her rotaed hour so I spent some time with her, showing her the tasks that need doing and spending some time with her shadowing me on the counter. Another Student Assistant came in to make up the hour that he missed last week. These kids are so enthusiastic and efficient that they get the work done in no time at all - sometimes I have to be a bit creative finding something purposeful for them to do!
I was expecting to go to help present Info Skills class at 1.45 but that had to be cancelled. Bit disappointing but we've rescheduled for next Tuesday.
We had an informal team catch up before shutting the library early as we had a larger meeting with the learning mentors which went well.
I did my regular tasks first such as doing yesterday's stats. The post is coming really late at the moment but once it'd arrived I inputted and stamped the journals and took them round the study centres.
I spent most of the morning on the circulation desk unpicking some of the cataloguing problems. We have a situation where a lot of people have been cataloguing over the library's 2 year history - most of them unqualified library assistants with no previous experience of cataloguing and no training. Once we get our LMS update in a few weeks I can really get stuck in with some block changes but for now I'm just trying to unpick a few things. At the moment it isn't a massive problem as we have a small collection and no dedicated OPAC so the only people who search the catalogue are LRC staff, but we're hoping to change this with the Info Skills sessions and getting an OPAC PC in the new year.
Had a group of media student taking pictures in the LRC this morning without asking the manager for consent, or asking consent of the individuals they were photographing (myself included) and refused to delete images when requested. As my BA was Photographic Arts I find it really frustrating when students don't appreciate the ethics around these things. That said we have a digital native/immigrant divide between the staff and students and these students' attitude to questions of privacy and representation reflect that. I had a quiet word with the Learning Mentor for Creative Arts who took the problem back to their teacher - seemed like a more political approach that sending a pointed email to All Staff.
I went to speak to an ESOL class about the 6 Book Challenge at 11.15 but found that the class was cancelled as the teacher wasn't in, which was a shame as I'd psyched myself up!
After lunch a Student Assistant came in to do her rotaed hour so I spent some time with her, showing her the tasks that need doing and spending some time with her shadowing me on the counter. Another Student Assistant came in to make up the hour that he missed last week. These kids are so enthusiastic and efficient that they get the work done in no time at all - sometimes I have to be a bit creative finding something purposeful for them to do!
I was expecting to go to help present Info Skills class at 1.45 but that had to be cancelled. Bit disappointing but we've rescheduled for next Tuesday.
We had an informal team catch up before shutting the library early as we had a larger meeting with the learning mentors which went well.
Monday 30 November 2009
A Week In The Life - Monday
***Disclaimer: I wanted to add to the week in the life of a librarian wiki project. It was only half way through this post that I realised that it was a project that was supposed to be done in a specific week in July. I have decided to carry on with this regardless and document a typical working week in my role.***
This morning as I walked from the bus stop in the pouring rain a vicious white van man drove through a puddle and absolutely soaked me and some other ladies walking near by. Even my face was soaked *argh*. So my first task this morning was washing my fringe and face in the bathroom and reapplying my make up. Good job I always come in 15 minutes early. I started work at 8.30 and was opening up: turning on the computers and printers, putting float in the till, etc. I wrote the day's headlines on the white board next to our newspaper rack and stamped the papers with the college stamp.
On the main circulation desk until 11, serving students and staff. During this time I completed some admin tasks. I inputted last week's stats for student use and for enquiries. Our data collection isn't ideal at the moment as we are relying on a sign in system rather than a gate count. I also did some more work on an email to my manager of suggested acquisitions based on requests for new stock, multiple copies of current stock and items that I think the users would like.
Our Six Book Challenge began today so I sent round an email to All Students reminding them to sign up and telling them about our brand new fiction items: last week I made a book display and wrote a one line synopsis of each item to include in the email to try to entice them. By 11am I'd had 4 sign up so I was quite chuffed.
At 11 I came off the desk and spent the next hour collecting items for the Psychology and Humanities Study Skills session that the manager and I are facilitating tomorrow. I selected as much variety of sources as possible: dictionaries, journals, encyclopedias, textbooks, maps etc. I then collected and processed the day's journals, put the relevant ones in the holder in the LRC and took one to the Study Centre next door.
At our college we have 5 Study Centres covering each faculty area which are staffed by Learning Mentors. The Learning Mentors work with students in the Study Centres but LRC staff are responsible for the stock that we keep in them. I am responsible for two of them (Humanities and Business & ICT) and for faculty liaison for those subjects.
At 11.15 the first of the day's Student Assistants clocked in. I chatted with her for a few minutes and showed her what needed doing - mostly strict shelf checking. She went up to the Business & ICT Study Centre to tidy it for 20 minutes as well - I try to get the Study Centres strict shelf checked by the Student Assistants as we rarely have time to do it ourselves. As ever she came with a great attitude and was happy to get on with it on her own. While the Student Assistants are in I am aware of what they're doing but don't really need to supervise them closely now as they've been with us for 4 weeks now.
At 12 I was back on the main issue desk for half an hour before going on my lunch. It's getting busy and a bit noisy now so I'm not continuing with my admin tasks until after the lunch time rush.
Lunch at 12.30. I rarely leave campus at lunch as there's not much nearby. I just sit and read in the office with my packed lunch.
After lunch I spent some time with the next Student Assistant and tidied up after the busy lunch break. I took the journals round to the Study Centres and collected newpapers and journals for the Info Skills session tomorrow. I spent much of the afternoon on the Circ desk, serving students and helping with the computers and printer/photocopier/scanner combo - a machine that requires my attention at least 5 times an hour. I also completed the new acquisitions email and sent it to my boss. I closed the library alone at 5pm.
In the evening I met the girls from my MSc for dinner. We had hoped to be celebrating/commiserating our dissertation marks and thus have our final marks for the year but it wasn't to be, we're still waiting on them. Still it was nice to catch up with everyone - especially as we were saying goodbye to Sarina who is returning to NZ at the weekend :(.
Saturday 14 November 2009
Student LRC Assistants first week
What a week! Our programme of student LRC assistants has started. I'd prepared by sending them training notes including the tasks they'll be doing and exercises about how the shelves are arranged, and I made sure the rest of my team knew who is coming when and what they'll be doing.
On the whole I've been really really happy with the students that've been in this week. I was expecting seven: one was a no show, one was late so I'll see if she's late again next week. All the rest of the students came with a great attitude, happy for the opportunity and wanting to do extra hours which I might take them up on!
Writing the training notes and training the students in person was interesting. Usually working in libraries your colleagues know the terminology (strict shelf checking, shelf mark, spine label etc) even though there are local differences between libraries or sectors. In this situation I've got to consider that they are 16-19, possibly have never had a job before never mind a library job and there are ESOL factors to take into account. Interestingly, I had anticipated that the easiest task to give them would be doing a book move (very straightforward, we're just moving all our stock round because we've got a free bay) but this is the task that without fail the students have not understood! I thought it was me explaining it badly, but on Thursday my manager trained the volunteer as I was elsewhere and she said the same thing.
I've been careful to emphasise with the students that they need to be aware of health and safety (manual lifting, being aware of people using the space while they are doing tasks) and that if at any point they don't feel safe or comfortable doing a task or in the space to speak to me straight away.
So far the project has been time consuming, but I'm sure it'll pay off once the student assistants are confident with their tasks and can just come in and get on with it. On the plus side it looks like the student volunteers will be able to strict shelf tidy our entire collection each week which is fantastic, as we are so busy that we rarely get the chance to do any of it.
Next week we've got Ofsted in for 24 hours including our open evening, so that should be another exciting week! The whole college is busy putting up displays and getting the students (and staff!) on their best behaviour.
On the whole I've been really really happy with the students that've been in this week. I was expecting seven: one was a no show, one was late so I'll see if she's late again next week. All the rest of the students came with a great attitude, happy for the opportunity and wanting to do extra hours which I might take them up on!
Writing the training notes and training the students in person was interesting. Usually working in libraries your colleagues know the terminology (strict shelf checking, shelf mark, spine label etc) even though there are local differences between libraries or sectors. In this situation I've got to consider that they are 16-19, possibly have never had a job before never mind a library job and there are ESOL factors to take into account. Interestingly, I had anticipated that the easiest task to give them would be doing a book move (very straightforward, we're just moving all our stock round because we've got a free bay) but this is the task that without fail the students have not understood! I thought it was me explaining it badly, but on Thursday my manager trained the volunteer as I was elsewhere and she said the same thing.
I've been careful to emphasise with the students that they need to be aware of health and safety (manual lifting, being aware of people using the space while they are doing tasks) and that if at any point they don't feel safe or comfortable doing a task or in the space to speak to me straight away.
So far the project has been time consuming, but I'm sure it'll pay off once the student assistants are confident with their tasks and can just come in and get on with it. On the plus side it looks like the student volunteers will be able to strict shelf tidy our entire collection each week which is fantastic, as we are so busy that we rarely get the chance to do any of it.
Next week we've got Ofsted in for 24 hours including our open evening, so that should be another exciting week! The whole college is busy putting up displays and getting the students (and staff!) on their best behaviour.
Tuesday 27 October 2009
Half term
As it's half term this week we're only open to students on three days - we only had one student in yesterday. I'm the only member of staff in the library because everyone else has leave or is term time only.
It's good to have the chance to get on with projects that are difficult with students in. I'm putting up some information skills displays to tie in with workshops we'll be running after half term. Yesterday's 'Evaluating websites' display looks good, but I'm having a few problems trying to make a display on bibliographies look appealing to 16-19 year olds! And I'm going to paint some shelves this afternoon (don't ask).
We're starting a student volunteer programme after half term which I'm going to be very involved with. I've written some training notes and am working on creating a certificate that they'll receive after completing 10 hours with us. I'm trying to make it seem grown up so that we'll only get serious students. I'm aware that I don't want to give students cause to believe that in a few hours of volunteering that they are able to do our jobs so I'm going to avoid letting them use the LMS. Beyond the fact that it is bad for our professional esteem/profile within the college, it could give someone higher up the idea that perhaps the library could cope with less staff and more volunteers - which is not the case. Hopefully I'll get some time later this week to do some more research and planning on this.
Also, I keep forgetting that I'm still waiting for my final MSc mark, then remembering and feeling a bit queasy! We should get them in a month..
It's good to have the chance to get on with projects that are difficult with students in. I'm putting up some information skills displays to tie in with workshops we'll be running after half term. Yesterday's 'Evaluating websites' display looks good, but I'm having a few problems trying to make a display on bibliographies look appealing to 16-19 year olds! And I'm going to paint some shelves this afternoon (don't ask).
We're starting a student volunteer programme after half term which I'm going to be very involved with. I've written some training notes and am working on creating a certificate that they'll receive after completing 10 hours with us. I'm trying to make it seem grown up so that we'll only get serious students. I'm aware that I don't want to give students cause to believe that in a few hours of volunteering that they are able to do our jobs so I'm going to avoid letting them use the LMS. Beyond the fact that it is bad for our professional esteem/profile within the college, it could give someone higher up the idea that perhaps the library could cope with less staff and more volunteers - which is not the case. Hopefully I'll get some time later this week to do some more research and planning on this.
Also, I keep forgetting that I'm still waiting for my final MSc mark, then remembering and feeling a bit queasy! We should get them in a month..
Monday 12 October 2009
New Job - first week went well
My first week at my new job has been fantastic. It looks like a role where I can get lots of valuable professional-type experience.
My first two days were the usual whirlwind of trying to learn names and tick boxes on induction and training forms. I've already been given some interesting projects to work on. I've been cataloguing new stock, helping students with their homework and we've done a book move.
The college uses the Eclipse LMS which is a bit quirky but easy enough to use. On Eclipse there is a 'Linked' function where similar items can be linked to one another to recommend them to the user. I've been given the ongoing task of linking items - for me it's a dream project! I've been busy on the fiction section.
I've taken over the journals which is fantastic. The college has an interesting set up of having five faculty Study Centres staffed by Learning Mentors as well as the central LRC. Most of the journals are stocked in the Study Centres, so each day I'll be visiting the Study Centres to drop journals off and hopefully learn more about how they work.
I'm doing academic liaison for two of the faculties: Humanities and Business & IT. At first I was a bit disappointed not to have got Creative Arts, but it'll be great getting experience in different areas.
It's really exciting to be in a small institute and a small team where it's possible to make changes. My manager is new to the institute as well and is keen on discussing ideas and trying new things. At her request I've designed and implemented a new spreadsheet and procedure for recording student usage. We have a signing in sheet rather than having an automatic gate counter. She's really nice as well which is always good.
So far, so good! Let's hope it stays this way.
My first two days were the usual whirlwind of trying to learn names and tick boxes on induction and training forms. I've already been given some interesting projects to work on. I've been cataloguing new stock, helping students with their homework and we've done a book move.
The college uses the Eclipse LMS which is a bit quirky but easy enough to use. On Eclipse there is a 'Linked' function where similar items can be linked to one another to recommend them to the user. I've been given the ongoing task of linking items - for me it's a dream project! I've been busy on the fiction section.
I've taken over the journals which is fantastic. The college has an interesting set up of having five faculty Study Centres staffed by Learning Mentors as well as the central LRC. Most of the journals are stocked in the Study Centres, so each day I'll be visiting the Study Centres to drop journals off and hopefully learn more about how they work.
I'm doing academic liaison for two of the faculties: Humanities and Business & IT. At first I was a bit disappointed not to have got Creative Arts, but it'll be great getting experience in different areas.
It's really exciting to be in a small institute and a small team where it's possible to make changes. My manager is new to the institute as well and is keen on discussing ideas and trying new things. At her request I've designed and implemented a new spreadsheet and procedure for recording student usage. We have a signing in sheet rather than having an automatic gate counter. She's really nice as well which is always good.
So far, so good! Let's hope it stays this way.
Tuesday 6 October 2009
CILIP Graduate Day 1st October 2009
I would really recommend the next one of these for people who are considering entering the profession, considering qualifying or possibly are in the process of qualifying. CILIP possibly could have been clearer about what type of graduate this was aimed after - first degree grad not library school grad - but nonetheless.
I attended two talks. Emma Illingsworth gave an interesting talk about the different skills required for librarianship, the different types of users in different sectors and how to market your services to those user groups. It involved lots of brainstorming and discussion in small groups.
The second talk was by Jo Alcock about promoting yourself and networking through microblogging, blogging and social networking. Again this was really interesting. At the moment I'm spending a lot of time thinking about micro/blogging and the netiquette involved. As a novice twitterer I'm always concerned about replying promptly, RTing without plagiarising, being friendly without being overfamiliar etc. I'm also wracked with e-shyness. Jo said some interesting things about branding yourself - I'm going to do some work on customising this.
I attended two talks. Emma Illingsworth gave an interesting talk about the different skills required for librarianship, the different types of users in different sectors and how to market your services to those user groups. It involved lots of brainstorming and discussion in small groups.
The second talk was by Jo Alcock about promoting yourself and networking through microblogging, blogging and social networking. Again this was really interesting. At the moment I'm spending a lot of time thinking about micro/blogging and the netiquette involved. As a novice twitterer I'm always concerned about replying promptly, RTing without plagiarising, being friendly without being overfamiliar etc. I'm also wracked with e-shyness. Jo said some interesting things about branding yourself - I'm going to do some work on customising this.
Thursday 1 October 2009
Reading habits
Saw this meme on Woodsiegirl’s blog and can see through the Twitter that all the cool kids are doing it, so thought I would too.
Do you snack while you read? If so, favourite reading snack?
Just endless cups of tea.
Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you?
I do in pencil. Obviously only in books I own. I quite like using the tiny post-its rather than marking the page.
I used to write in books a lot when I a photography undergrad and now feel embarrassed looking through at my naive comments in the margin of Susan Sontag, Roland Barthes etc.
How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears? Laying the book flat open?
I use bookmarks – usually flyers, tickets or postcards. My favourite is a Morrissey flyer that I can angle so that Moz peers over the book at me while I’m reading.
Fiction, Non-fiction, or both?
I usually have both on the go at once. I enjoy a good biography.
Hard copy or audiobooks?
Hard copy. I am tempted to try audiobooks for some of the classics. I’ve got a complex about the fact that I haven’t read any Dickens, Bronte etc and see this as a sign that I might be uncultured and/or thick.
Are you a person who tends to read to the end of chapters, or are you able to put a book down at any point?
I like to read to the end of the chapter.
If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop to look it up right away?
I would if I was reading for academic purposes, but I wouldn’t if I was reading for pleasure.
What are you currently reading?
I’ve just finished Dorian: An Imitation by Will Self which was really good, and am starting We Are All Made of Glue by Marina Lewycka. I’m currently reading War Paint: Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein, Their Lives, Their Times, Their Rivalry by Lindy Woodhead but am struggling a bit to get into it.
What is the last book you bought?
Talk of the Town by Jacob Polley. It was in the bargain bin at Borders. I usually get everything from the library (I juggle accounts in 4 boroughs), anything I can’t get I put on my Christmas list.
Are you the type of person that only reads one book at a time or can you read more than one at a time?
I read multiple books at a time. My bedside book is usually something that is hardback/too heavy to carry around. My tube/tea break reading is usually something portable. If my tube reading is something a bit dark then I have another book to read when I’m home alone!
Do you have a favourite time of day and/or place to read?
I read every night to help me go to sleep and read on the tube. I guess my favourite place to read would be by the pool on holiday, knowing that I’m not going to be interrupted and have nothing to do for a week other than read and eat!
Do you prefer series books or stand alone books?
I rarely read series, but I go through phases of reading everything by a particular author then moving on to another one.
Is there a specific book or author that you find yourself recommending over and over?
Probably Nicci French, my favourite is Killing Me Softly. And Jodi Picoult, my favourite is The Pact.
This could be more indicative of who I recommend books to rather than my own tastes. I tend towards slightly bleaker writing (Jean Rhys, Heather Lewis, Tama Janowitz, Sylvia Plath, Suite Francais, anything about Kurt Cobain) and rarely have the opportunity to recommend this type of thing.
How do you organize your books? (By genre, title, author’s last name, etc.?)
I have one shelf of not-read-yet items and library books. Other than that I loosely keep non fiction within genres: art/photography books, my other half’s cookery books. Biographies mix in with fiction and both are wherever there is space on the shelves.
I’ll probably get kicked out of CILIP for admitting this, but my bookshelves at home are a complete state. This is due to the constrictions of sharing a one bed flat. I dream about moving to our next home and having my own study with custom made shelving.
Do you snack while you read? If so, favourite reading snack?
Just endless cups of tea.
Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you?
I do in pencil. Obviously only in books I own. I quite like using the tiny post-its rather than marking the page.
I used to write in books a lot when I a photography undergrad and now feel embarrassed looking through at my naive comments in the margin of Susan Sontag, Roland Barthes etc.
How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears? Laying the book flat open?
I use bookmarks – usually flyers, tickets or postcards. My favourite is a Morrissey flyer that I can angle so that Moz peers over the book at me while I’m reading.
Fiction, Non-fiction, or both?
I usually have both on the go at once. I enjoy a good biography.
Hard copy or audiobooks?
Hard copy. I am tempted to try audiobooks for some of the classics. I’ve got a complex about the fact that I haven’t read any Dickens, Bronte etc and see this as a sign that I might be uncultured and/or thick.
Are you a person who tends to read to the end of chapters, or are you able to put a book down at any point?
I like to read to the end of the chapter.
If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop to look it up right away?
I would if I was reading for academic purposes, but I wouldn’t if I was reading for pleasure.
What are you currently reading?
I’ve just finished Dorian: An Imitation by Will Self which was really good, and am starting We Are All Made of Glue by Marina Lewycka. I’m currently reading War Paint: Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein, Their Lives, Their Times, Their Rivalry by Lindy Woodhead but am struggling a bit to get into it.
What is the last book you bought?
Talk of the Town by Jacob Polley. It was in the bargain bin at Borders. I usually get everything from the library (I juggle accounts in 4 boroughs), anything I can’t get I put on my Christmas list.
Are you the type of person that only reads one book at a time or can you read more than one at a time?
I read multiple books at a time. My bedside book is usually something that is hardback/too heavy to carry around. My tube/tea break reading is usually something portable. If my tube reading is something a bit dark then I have another book to read when I’m home alone!
Do you have a favourite time of day and/or place to read?
I read every night to help me go to sleep and read on the tube. I guess my favourite place to read would be by the pool on holiday, knowing that I’m not going to be interrupted and have nothing to do for a week other than read and eat!
Do you prefer series books or stand alone books?
I rarely read series, but I go through phases of reading everything by a particular author then moving on to another one.
Is there a specific book or author that you find yourself recommending over and over?
Probably Nicci French, my favourite is Killing Me Softly. And Jodi Picoult, my favourite is The Pact.
This could be more indicative of who I recommend books to rather than my own tastes. I tend towards slightly bleaker writing (Jean Rhys, Heather Lewis, Tama Janowitz, Sylvia Plath, Suite Francais, anything about Kurt Cobain) and rarely have the opportunity to recommend this type of thing.
How do you organize your books? (By genre, title, author’s last name, etc.?)
I have one shelf of not-read-yet items and library books. Other than that I loosely keep non fiction within genres: art/photography books, my other half’s cookery books. Biographies mix in with fiction and both are wherever there is space on the shelves.
I’ll probably get kicked out of CILIP for admitting this, but my bookshelves at home are a complete state. This is due to the constrictions of sharing a one bed flat. I dream about moving to our next home and having my own study with custom made shelving.
Tuesday 22 September 2009
Umbrella 2009 remembered
I was lucky to have been to July's Umbrella on a sponsored place from the London chapter of the U, C and R group. The enthusiasm I came back with was phenomenal, I thought I'd reflect over the impact it has had on me.
#1 Networking
Library folk are often thought of as wallflowers, geeks, the shy (and possibly weird) bookish kid at school. No smoke without fire and all that.
Ian Snowley’s asked those who had been before to look out for the 100 first timers (it was marked on our badges) and to ask us questions and make us feel welcome, which people really did. I met some really great people that I'm enjoying keeping in touch with on the Facebook and the Twitter. My only conference regret is that I wasn't more into the Twitter at the time.
For the final session of the conference I attended a Career Development Group session ‘Top Ten New Librarians two years on’ presented by Helen Dahlke and Cheney Gardner. Their talks were very positive particularly for a nearly qualified librarian: discussing the importance of asking people for opportunities, making your own luck, getting involved with CILIP and applying for conferences and bursaries. These are messages that I have really taken away with me, and led to me going along to the CDG group summer social and getting more into the Twitter.
#2 Enthusiasm
Enthusiasm has become a dirty word for me lately. The key positive feedback I've had from my two failed job interviews this summer has been how great my enthusiasm is which makes me feel like a labrador. And paraprofessional soon-to-be ex-colleagues have told me how strange they find me due to my interest in wider library issues.
Charles Brown’s (Library Director, Charlotte and Mecklenburg county public libraries) keynote speech was all about enthusiasm and being willing to ruffle a few feathers in order to create about not just award winning services but the absolute best services. Brown described himself as someone who doesn’t just sit around and complain but rather gets off his “duff” and does something. I'm going to remember Brown's talk every time I find myself moaning not manifesting.
#3 Information Literacy
I've been really interested in the Google Generation research for some time having written an essay on it during my MSc. UCL’s Maggie Fieldhouse’s catchily titled presentation: Digital Natives: can information literacy save them from information anarchy?’ was really interesting. Particularly the debate about whether Information Literacy in universities is too late, and the barriers to getting to school age children. I'm not sure what the answer is, or if librarians alone can tackle this. But having spent the last year witnessing the frightening lack of information literacy at university level it is something I'd really love to engage with.
Another session on Information Literacy gave great practical ideas and tips for various groups. Carol Webb from Forest Hill School began the session by discussing team teaching with a subject teacher at secondary and sixth form level, the importance of ensuring that students are emotionally comfortable in order to be able to learn and considering remarketing ourselves as educators. Andy Priestner from the Judge Business School in Oxford continued on these themes describing how he gained access to classrooms, formed relationships with academic staff and built a reputation as a librarian who teaches. Priestner engaged the group with the Inspector Morse stereotype of redbrick academics, which he then dispelled. Chris Powis from the University of Northampton concluded the session. He put us in groups and asked us to make lists of how students see us, how we see students, how academics see us and how we see academics. This showed us how the biggest barrier to integration of Information skills into the curriculum is not the bureaucracy of the organisation we work in but rather it is us, and specifically the prejudices carried by us and our service users. This was one of the most stimulating sessions of the conference.
#4 Conference attire
Finally, I've learnt what to wear to a conference. The lesson learnt is that wearing anything with an embellished/statement neckline/necklace is a waste as the lanyard will overshadow it. And everyone's looking at your lanyard to establish if they know/want to know you/your institute
On the whole I was pleased that I had packed the right balance of smart/casual/professional for the days, and a cute but flesh covering dress for the evening, but I regret playing it quite so safe.
My report for the U, C and R group is available here under Past Events (scroll approx half way down): http://www.cilip.org.uk/specialinterestgroups/bysubject/ucr/divisions/london
#1 Networking
Library folk are often thought of as wallflowers, geeks, the shy (and possibly weird) bookish kid at school. No smoke without fire and all that.
Ian Snowley’s asked those who had been before to look out for the 100 first timers (it was marked on our badges) and to ask us questions and make us feel welcome, which people really did. I met some really great people that I'm enjoying keeping in touch with on the Facebook and the Twitter. My only conference regret is that I wasn't more into the Twitter at the time.
For the final session of the conference I attended a Career Development Group session ‘Top Ten New Librarians two years on’ presented by Helen Dahlke and Cheney Gardner. Their talks were very positive particularly for a nearly qualified librarian: discussing the importance of asking people for opportunities, making your own luck, getting involved with CILIP and applying for conferences and bursaries. These are messages that I have really taken away with me, and led to me going along to the CDG group summer social and getting more into the Twitter.
#2 Enthusiasm
Enthusiasm has become a dirty word for me lately. The key positive feedback I've had from my two failed job interviews this summer has been how great my enthusiasm is which makes me feel like a labrador. And paraprofessional soon-to-be ex-colleagues have told me how strange they find me due to my interest in wider library issues.
Charles Brown’s (Library Director, Charlotte and Mecklenburg county public libraries) keynote speech was all about enthusiasm and being willing to ruffle a few feathers in order to create about not just award winning services but the absolute best services. Brown described himself as someone who doesn’t just sit around and complain but rather gets off his “duff” and does something. I'm going to remember Brown's talk every time I find myself moaning not manifesting.
#3 Information Literacy
I've been really interested in the Google Generation research for some time having written an essay on it during my MSc. UCL’s Maggie Fieldhouse’s catchily titled presentation: Digital Natives: can information literacy save them from information anarchy?’ was really interesting. Particularly the debate about whether Information Literacy in universities is too late, and the barriers to getting to school age children. I'm not sure what the answer is, or if librarians alone can tackle this. But having spent the last year witnessing the frightening lack of information literacy at university level it is something I'd really love to engage with.
Another session on Information Literacy gave great practical ideas and tips for various groups. Carol Webb from Forest Hill School began the session by discussing team teaching with a subject teacher at secondary and sixth form level, the importance of ensuring that students are emotionally comfortable in order to be able to learn and considering remarketing ourselves as educators. Andy Priestner from the Judge Business School in Oxford continued on these themes describing how he gained access to classrooms, formed relationships with academic staff and built a reputation as a librarian who teaches. Priestner engaged the group with the Inspector Morse stereotype of redbrick academics, which he then dispelled. Chris Powis from the University of Northampton concluded the session. He put us in groups and asked us to make lists of how students see us, how we see students, how academics see us and how we see academics. This showed us how the biggest barrier to integration of Information skills into the curriculum is not the bureaucracy of the organisation we work in but rather it is us, and specifically the prejudices carried by us and our service users. This was one of the most stimulating sessions of the conference.
#4 Conference attire
Finally, I've learnt what to wear to a conference. The lesson learnt is that wearing anything with an embellished/statement neckline/necklace is a waste as the lanyard will overshadow it. And everyone's looking at your lanyard to establish if they know/want to know you/your institute
On the whole I was pleased that I had packed the right balance of smart/casual/professional for the days, and a cute but flesh covering dress for the evening, but I regret playing it quite so safe.
My report for the U, C and R group is available here under Past Events (scroll approx half way down): http://www.cilip.org.uk/specialinterestgroups/bysubject/ucr/divisions/london
Tuesday 15 September 2009
My first post
I've decided to start blogging as I am at a particular point in my career (nearly qualified librarian - handing in my MSc dissertation tomorrow, god willing) at a peculiar time (global recession, cuts in public spending). I'm hoping to keep up the momentum from my MSc, particularly the professional community aspect, by blogging.
At the moment I'm working my notice at a university library before moving to a sixth form college library. I'm excited because New Job is a fully inclusive learning environment with a sizeable proportion of disabled students: disability provision was my dissertation topic. I'm hoping it'll be a good opportunity to put some theory into practice and do some further research.
At the moment I'm working my notice at a university library before moving to a sixth form college library. I'm excited because New Job is a fully inclusive learning environment with a sizeable proportion of disabled students: disability provision was my dissertation topic. I'm hoping it'll be a good opportunity to put some theory into practice and do some further research.
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