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The Albert Sloman Library |
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The Albert Sloman Library |
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Esther Wilkinson Read about Esther on the Library Staff page Julie Alden I started working at the Albert Sloman Library in 2002, after I finished my degree in English, History and Politics in Leicester. I didn't know the area, as my family had recently moved from North London to Clacton on Sea while I was at university, and so I had little idea of what the employment situation was likely to be. I had always had an interest in books, and felt that a career in Librarianship might be the right path for me. I was originally employed as a Library Assistant rather than a graduate trainee, although I received the same training and fulfilled the same roles on the Enquiry Desk etc. My experience as a library assistant was a pleasant one, as the staff were helpful, friendly and supportive. (I made many good friends during my time at the ASL, many of whom I still see/ keep in touch with regularly). The training schedule was very comprehensive, including talks with staff members about their roles within the library, and involved visiting local public and academic libraries to explore the way in which they operated. I feel that there was much that I learnt during this time that I am employing now. Whilst at the Albert Sloman Library, I applied for a place on the Masters programmes at Sheffield and Loughbrough, and gained places at both universities, although I finally opted for Sheffield, preferring the programme of study, the proximity to the British Library's headquarters in the North, and the city itself. However, I didn't get funding, and I was unable to take my place, so I deferred my place for a year. During this time, I decided that I wanted to pursue an alternate career in Egyptology, and so I applied for a place at Liverpool. I gained a place on their Masters programme and began my study in September 2005, after a warm send off from the ASL. Since then, I have completed my Masters programme, and have moved to Oxford. I am currently employed at the Radcliffe Science Library, whilst taking a break from studying, and hope eventually to undertake a Ph.D. in Egyptology in the near future. Celia Jenkins I was a Graduate Trainee Library Assistant at the Albert Sloman Library, along with Julie, during 2002-2003. I really enjoyed my time there, gaining valuable experience of an academic library's day-to-day operations. I was firstly based in the cataloguing department, cataloguing, among other things, a large amount of Russian books. I then spent some time based at Inter-Library Loans, where I had to input and transmit requests to the British Library Document Supply Centre, as well as other academic institutions. The skills and experiences I gained at the Albert Sloman acted as a great basis for my studies at Loughborough, where I went on to complete my Master's in Information and Library Management the following year. During my time at Library School I developed my interest in electronic resources which had begun at Essex. After my Master's I stayed on at Loughborough to become a Research Assistant, working on the JISC/SURF 'Partnering on Copyright' project. This involved looking at copyright and advocacy issues with regards to Open Access, in particular Institutional Repositories. I then became an Information Officer at the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) for 18 months. I am currently a Bibliographic Assistant for SUNCAT (a serials union catalogue for the UK research community). I am now putting the skills I gained at the Albert Sloman's cataloguing department to good use. The University of Essex is a SUNCAT Contributing Library as well, so it is great to reprise my connection with the Albert Sloman! Catherine Robertson Basically I did my traineeship over the 2003-2004 period. I really enjoyed my time at Essex and felt the training was thorough and comprehensive. I especially enjoyed working in Interlibrary Loans but all aspects of my work there have helped me immensely in my career. The best part of the job was the other members of staff who were all, without exception, supportive and friendly. I was given a lot of responsibility and really enjoyed the challenges the work provided. The managers are still the best I have ever encountered. I went on to do a Masters at Loughborough University where I specialised in the electronic aspects of libraries. My dissertation was about a pilot scheme using e-books in public libraries, using Essex public libraries as a case study. Talking to others on my course, I found I had received much wider training than many of them, and most had no experience of cataloguing at all. I am currently working at the University of Birmingham and got promoted to E-Resources & Serials Specialist in Winter 2006 this job is great. I'm in the Serials Team, as before, but I now work closely with our Digital Library Team, and liaise between them and the Serials Team to ensure our users have up to date access to the resources they need. I also work with systems such as our link resolver to troubleshoot problems we have with our online journals and resources. It's really interesting as the world of online resources changes daily (or at least it feel like it). Laura Armstrong I was student assistant at the ASL 2004-2005. I completed my first degree in Art History at the University of East Anglia in 2003. I was unsure what to do next after completing my degree. However I did realise that I enjoyed the process of research and finding information. This encouraged me to apply for one year traineeship post to gain experience in all aspects of library work. I was lucky enough to be accepted by the ASL. I really enjoyed my year's traineeship at the Albert Sloman University Library, which definitely prepared me well for Library school. I spent half of my trainee year in the cataloguing section and the remaining six months in Inter-library loans. I found this particularly appealing as I was able to experience two very different departments and become quite competent in both. As well as these core roles, I was involved with circulation desk duties, which enhanced my negotiation and people skills and really emphasised the importance of working as a team on a busy service desk. I also had the opportunity to work on the enquiry desk which helped hone my searching and people skills. Since departing from the ASL I have completed an MA in Librarianship at the University of Sheffield. The course covered all aspects of library operation from management issues to performing literature searches for clients. The traineeship and the MA have confirmed that my future is definitely with libraries and I hope to become an arts subject librarian in an academic setting. Josie Gale When I finished my History degree at Lancaster University, I didn't really know what I wanted to do. I thought that I might go into a Museum Studies course but as it is very difficult to get anything other than a voluntary position without the postgraduate course, I decided that the graduate traineeship would be an ideal job to go for. It also seemed to be an interesting job which would not only teach me library based skills (that could be used in the event of me going on to Museum Studies) but would also give me basic office experience as well. It is also convenient for me as I live in Colchester. It has been a very good experience for me. It has provided me with library skills that I didn't previously have and it has also given me vital experience which I have needed for applying for jobs since I finished. I have also found that it has helped to give me more of an idea of what sort of career I would like to follow. Also, the people have been fantastic. I have always felt very encouraged and especially when I first started, everyone was very patient with me and I never felt that I couldn't ask questions or ask for help. The library was kind
enough to keep me on as an assistant in Inter-Library Loans while I have been
working out what I want to do. This gave me even more experience including
training some of the new student assistants! I decided not to go for the Museum
Studies course as I didn't feel that I had enough interest to justify spending
all of that money. However, I have now moved on from the ASL and am working as
one of the PAs to the Director General at the Imperial War Museum - so that
museum link is still there! I would recommend the year working at the ASL as a
student assistant to anyone interested in libraries but also to anyone wanting
to build on administrative and customer service skills. Jane Haslam I was Student Assistant at ASL 2004-2005 and spent the majority of my time in cataloguing. The ASL traineeship gave me a comprehensive grounding in academic libraries and, compared with many traineeships on offer, prepared me extremely well for library school. I graduated with an MA in Librarianship and Information Studies at SLAIS, University College London in October 2006. UCL pays a lot of attention to cataloguing and classification skills and as a consequence my experience at ASL proved very valuable. My optional modules were Historical Bibliography and Cat & Class II both of which have been particularly useful to me thus far. I have developed a keen interest in Early Print Books and am hoping, through further study to gain a Masters Degree in the History of the Book. My first professional post is Retrospective Cataloguer at The London Library in St James's Square; it is one of the world's largest independent lending libraries inaugurated by Thomas Carlyle in 1851. I am part of the project which is currently retrospectively cataloguing around 40,000 volumes a year, is unearthing some incredible gems and is allowing me the tremendous opportunity of working closely with rare and early print books. My current role is totally absorbing and continues to nurture within me the cataloguing seedling planted by ASL all those years ago and for which I am truly grateful. Vicky Rowley Age: 24 Degrees: BA in Economic and Social History and MA in Historical Studies, both from the University of Hull. Why did you apply?: I thought about being a librarian when I was about 15, and I did my year 10 work experience in the local library. At this point, it was mainly because I liked reading and the library environment, but it wasn't until I was finishing my MA that I realised there was much more to it. I did an MA because I didn't know what it was I wanted to do when I graduated, but researching my dissertation made me think about a career in local studies. I found out about the post from the CILIP website after realising I wouldn't be able to become a librarian without getting some experience and going to library school. How have you found it?: My time at Essex has been great. The staff are really friendly and helpful and the librarians have been great in showing us what they do. I have been able to see behind the scenes in all parts of the library, gaining an all-round knowledge of how an academic library is run whilst being paid at the same time! Thoughts/ observations: Having found out from other people how much we actually get to do and see at Essex, I think this year has put me in a great position and has been well worth it. What next?: A in Library and Information Studies at UCL from September 2006. Anne Marie O'Dwyer Age: 24 Degree: BA in Applied Languages, Dublin City University. Why did you apply?: Since beginning University study, I've thought about a career in librarianship as I've always been impressed with the vast amount of services libraries have to offer its users and couldn't think of a more enjoyable place to work than a library! Having studied three languages at University and taught English as a foreign language in China and France, I have developed a special interest in the provision of language learning facilities in libraries and learning resource centres. How have you found it?: The people I've worked with at the Albert Sloman Library have definitely fuelled my enthusiasm to pursue a career in librarianship. Having also had the opportunity so far to attend training courses, visit other libraries and speak to librarians in different specialisms, I have gained a much greater insight as to the direction I would like to take professionally. Thoughts/ observations: In addition to the training we receive from the librarians in terms of cataloguing, classification, and inter-lending, our skills in the use of web resources are also greatly developing. My interest in the area of information skills training has been reinforced through our duty at the enquiry desk, conducting induction tours and helping students with the use of various electronic resources. What next?: MA in Librarianship at the University of Sheffield from September 2006. The area I am interested in researching is the different ways in which people use information to undertake learning and how information resources and services in libraries reflect this in the ways in which they are offered and presented. I have chosen to study for the MA at Sheffield because of the emphasis placed by the department on learning resources, especially computer-assisted and networked learning. Another feature of the course at Sheffield which particularly appeals to me is the option of studying library services for children and young people, because, as a librarian, I would also like to work with the services offered to the younger age group. Alice Roser Age: 22 Degree: BA in History, London School of Economics. Why did you apply?: Soon after I graduated, I worked as a Library assistant at Ashurst law firm in London. The post was a temporary one, but I really enjoyed the work and decided to get some more experience before applying to library school. As I was born and brought up in Colchester (and was finding it a financial struggle to live in London) Essex seemed an obvious place to apply! How have you found it?: The post at the Albert Sloman Library has given me a really good insight into how an academic library is run. The work is very varied, and includes cataloguing, interlibrary loans, enquiry work and circulation desk work, so you're never bored! It has also been extremely useful to have visits to other libraries and talks from different subject specialists – I now have a much clearer idea of which areas I would like to specialise in myself. Thoughts/ observations: The year has been really worthwhile, and has given me experience and insight that I don't think I would have had anywhere else. What next?: MA in Library and Information Management by distance learning at Northumbria University, starting in September 2006. The course lasts for 2 years, and I am staying on to work at Essex for another year while I study. I am hoping to become a clinical/medical librarian or a health subject specialist, and Northumbria has very good links with Newcastle University's medical school and medical library. Leah Shaw Age: 25 Degrees:
Why did you apply?: After graduating, I spent a couple of years “keeping my options openâ€, not really knowing what to do, working and saving money to travel. On my return, I felt that it was time to set my sights on a career and decided that Librarianship was for me. I had always thought that working in the information sector seemed like an interesting profession and I had previously worked in a history research centre on a voluntary basis in my spare time. It was this experience that confirmed my interest and inspired me to research the possibility of pursuing a career in Librarianship. I grew up and went to university in the south west of England and chose Colchester as I thought that it would be good to bid farewell to Devon and live a little closer to the bright lights of London for a while. I was also very impressed with The Albert Sloman Library and the trainee placement offered, as well as the attractive campus and surroundings. How have you found it?: I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience so far. The staff are friendly, supportive and always willing to help. I've been based in the Inter-Library Loans department and will move to Cataloguing later on in the academic year. I've also had experience of working on the circulation and enquiry desk. Thoughts/
observations: The trainee placement offered at the University of Essex is particularly useful as it gives experience of a variety of different aspects of work undertaken in an academic liI'm hoping to go back to university next year to complete a Masters course in Information and Library Management. After that, I would like to pursue my interest in film and television history alongside library work and would love to work somewhere like the BFI National Library or as a subject librarian for English and Film in an academic library. I'm also looking into the possibility of working abroad once I have gained a professional qualification. Lizz Waller Age: 23 Degree: BA Geography I really wanted to work in a University environment and was drawn to the Albert Sloman Library because of the diversity of work offered within the placement, and the fairly relaxed environment. Plus, the novelty of the pater noster lift, of course... How have you found it?: I've really enjoyed my time here so far. I'm based in the cataloguing department at the moment which has presented a really steep learning curve, as I'd no experience of cataloguing before, nor had I encountered the (in)famous Library of Congress classification scheme. Everyone has been immensely friendly, and very patient. No two days are the same and jobs range from cataloguing the latest films on DVD to answering enquiries about databases and e-journals. Thoughts/ observations: I'd thoroughly recommend this placement to anyone who wants to learn more about academic librarianship. It's great to work within a number of different services (e.g. cataloguing, inter-library loans, enquiries), and I've found the accompanying programme of talks and visits to be really useful. At first I was terrified of the geese on campus (there are a lot of them...) but I'm glad to report the library is a bird-free zone. The campus itself is very friendly and self-contained with banks, shops and cafes, all making for a great work environment. with banks, shops and cafes, all making for a great work environment. What next?: I decided to do a Masters degree in Library and Information Studies via distance learning so enrolled on a course at Robert Gordon University this year. Balancing work and studies has been challenging at times but it's really useful to put things into practice straight away, and there are dFollowing my experience at Albert Sloman library I'm hoping to pursue a career in cataloguing. However, I'm also really interested in library disaster control and planning so I'm still trying to think up ways to combine the two... David Brown Age: 22 Degrees:
Why did you apply?: In my final year of university I was stuck in the widespread job quagmire, uncertain of what I wanted to do and trying to make sure I hadn't wasted three years at university. After applying for various graduate trainee positions, it became clear that I was looking in the wrong direction for jobs. My first thoughts towards a career in the library sector came from one of my degree modules called 'The Culture Business,' which essentially developed the links between university courses and the 'real' world. My university librarian gave a talk to the group, during which I was struck by the idea of working in a library. In my previous work experience I have enjoyed offering assistance and information to various users, so working in libraries seemed the perfect way to combine this experience with my love for books and reading. From there I looked into graduate trainee positions and found the Colchester post advertised. Not only was this commutable from my home address, but that student trainee position seemed to offer a variety of duties rather than just being stuck behind a desk all day! How have you found it?: So far I've really enjoyed my time at the library – it's definitely a great feeling to enjoy what you're doing at work! At the moment I am based in the library's interlibrary loans department, which involves processing requests from readers for books from other libraries. I am very much enjoying the chance to liaise closely with our users in tracking down elusive books and journal articles. When I started at Essex I was based in the cataloguing department. Although this is largely computer-based, there are always many other jobs to distract me, from answering questions on the enquiry desk to stamping books to be issued (something that never fails to feel like a 'proper' library responsibility!). I was attracted to Essex by the variety of duties which the position involved, and this certainly has not been a disappointment. Thoughts/ observations: My time at the library has been incredibly useful in shaping my future plans and I would definitely recommend the position to anyone thinking about a career in librarianship. The positions at Essex offer more than just work in a library setting; there are numerous talks and visits to other libraries throughout the year, and the placement is particularly diverse as it covers several areas of the library. Plus, the paternoster is always a good talking point! What next?: I have now completed my applications for postgraduate courses, and have accepted a place on Sheffield's Librarianship MA, due to start in September 2008. The Sheffield course offers particularly interesting modules with a particular focus on academic librarianship, which I feel suit my aspirations in the information profession. In the longer term, I would like to pursue a career in library information services, as I particularly enjoy assisting people and helping them solve queries and problems. Katie Fraser Degrees: BA Psychology, University of Sheffield Why did you apply?: While I enjoyed my PhD, a career as an academic didn't really appeal, so I began to think about alternative careers as I finished. Academic librarianship uses skills I'd enjoyed picking up in my PhD, and also ties in with its topic - learning technologies. I took a post working in the George Green Library at Nottingham as I wrote up to see if libraries were for me, and was thoroughly converted. However, I wanted to get some broader experience in the area and Essex won me over with a well thought-out placement scheme and a nice environment. How have you found it?: It's great to experience a range of activities, and being here has helped me get a better idea of which aspects of librarianship I'd like to pursue. Across the year I was based in cataloguing, interlibrary loans, and accessions, but my favourite aspect was the enquiry desk, where I got to interact with students and solve their research and technological problems. Thoughts/ observations: I'd definitely recommend doing a graduate trainee year over working as a library assistant pre-library school. I got to see a very different side of library life here than I saw in my library assistant post, and I feel like I've picked up skills I'll need as a librarian, as well as developing my knowledge of what a library's like and how it works. What next?: Another degree! I'm doing a Masters in Librarianship from September 2008 at the University of Sheffield, and hope to merge the practical aspects of librarianship I've picked up at Essex with the more theoretical aspects of learning technologies I've studied previously. Please feel free to check out my website http://www.chuukaku.com for further details. Lisa Burscheidt After completing an MA in English Studies in Münster in Germany, I did my traineeship at Essex 2008/2009 and I'm still here! I am now a Library Assistant in Accessions, while studying part-time for my MA in Library and Information Studies exotically enough, via distance learning through the Humboldt University in Berlin. You may have guessed by now that I'm German (tell me about always having to spell your name for people). Feel free to have a look at my library-related blog/website to find out more about me. Greg Cadge Degrees: Why did you apply?: I have always wanted to pursue a career in Librarianship. Having studied here at the University of Essex I knew that the library here was first rate. After some initial enquiries about the post and a career in Librarianship with a member of staff I was convinced that a career in librarianship was for me and that Essex offered a great opportunity. This was a decision made all the easier by the knowledge of how friendly and helpful the library staff were during my studies. A successful interview later and here I am! How have you found it?: The staff here are super friendly and always happy to help if you have any queries. I have just completed my stay in Accessions and am currently based in Cataloguing from which I will move to Inter-library loans. Thoughts/observations: Thus far it has been a thoroughly enjoyable experience; the traineeship offered here at Essex is excellent. I have particularly enjoyed the breadth of duties that I have had the opportunity to experience, especially the direct contact with students whilst on the enquiry and circulation desk. What next?: My immediate plan is to travel and then to undertake a Masters in Librarianship. Rosemary Scallon Age: 21
Degrees: Why did you apply?: A career as a librarian has always appealed to me and after many hours of research I decided the best way to get on the ladder was to do a years training in an academic library. Geography wasn't really an issue for me as the idea of living in a new place appealed so I applied to the libraries that would offer me the best experience in a year. How have you found it?: I've been working here for about 4 months now and I'm having the time of my life. The work is interesting and varies from shelving every morning to manning the enquiry desk once a week along with my daily duties. I'm currently based in accessions after spending 3 months in inter library loans. Both departments are very different in the types of work that they offer although I've enjoyed both very much. The library staff are very friendly and have done everything they can to make me feel at home, normally moving from one end of the country to a completely new place can be a very daunting and stressful experience but I've really grown to love Colchester and my work environment. Thoughts/ observations: I think working a year in preparation for my masters was the best thing I could have done after my degree. The year is specifically designed to give trainees the widest possible understanding of an academic library and means that in a year you will get to experience working with patrons for example on the circulation desk and understanding the more technological behind the scenes work that a library can offer. What next?:
I am
currently in the process of applying to various librarianship course around the
country (hopefully with success!). After completing my masters I have always
imagined that I would start working in public libraries 'making a difference' to
communities but increasingly, the more time I spend in an academic library, the
more I can imagine myself coming back here. Who knows!
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Ceri Hill Degree: BSc Biochemistry, Cardiff University Why did you apply? Having never really used my university library until the final year of my degree, I became fascinated by it and decided to at least try it out, applied for the graduate training programme at Essex and was lucky enough to be accepted. I'm looking forward to finding out more and more about the workings of an academic library. Though not the conventional career path for the science graduate, why not? How have you found it? Having not been here very long, the most I can say is that everyone has been very friendly and helped to make me feel at eased having moved a long way from home! I'm in cataloguing at the moment and am looking forward to experiencing Inter-library loans and Accessions. What next? Accessions. What next? I am starting to think about applying for postgraduate courses in librarianship/information studies with the intention of working in academic or medical libraries Joseph Hughes Degree: History BA Hons, University of Nottingham Why did you apply? I have long been a frequent user of Libraries and always thought a career in Librarianship would be something I would enjoy. However, I never thought seriously about my career options (when I was younger my ideal jobs were Sports Journalist, World Famous Daredevil or Superhero) until my last year of university. After completing a great number of job applications, almost none of which I had any true interest in, I stumbled across the CILIP website and their directory of graduate trainee opportunities. I applied to a number of institutions and was lucky enough to be offered an interview here at Essex. When I visited the ASL I was impressed by the friendliness of the staff, the wide experience of library work the training would offer and the scenic nature of the campus. How have you found it? So far it has been very enjoyable. I am currently based in the Accessions department where I have received excellent support from my colleagues, who tolerate my frequent mistakes and idiotic questions with good humour. The different tasks, such as working the Circulation and Enquiry Desk's, have added some variety to my routine. They also add the challenge of working out what students want, how to actually help them, and why the damn printers are not working again. It has also been a great pleasure to find that my initial view of the affability of the Library staff was not mistaken. What next? Plan A is to become exceedingly wealthy, get into the England Cricket Team and marry Christina Hendricks. As this is unlikely to pan out (as Ms Hendricks unfortunately recently got married), Plan B is probably called for. I intend to take the Master's course next year, ideally studying at Loughborough. I would like to try and find employment in a Library field that matches my interests and will have to do more research into the range of fields that the profession covers. Helen Whitten Degree: BA Sociology (Social Sciences), University of Essex. Why did you apply? Whilst I was a student, I had a part time job in a public library and thoroughly enjoyed it. I found the variety of work so very interesting and consequently decided to pursue a career in libraries. After some research on the CILIP website, I found out that the Albert Sloman Library offered a graduate trainee position. Having been a student at Essex University, I had used the Library regularly and was impressed by the service and so decided that it would be a fantastic library to do my graduate training year in. How have you found it? The experience thus far has been extremely beneficial. I have had the opportunity to further the skills I had already acquired whilst carrying out part time work in a public library. Equally, I have been able to get involved with many aspects of library work that I hadn't before. Currently, I am working in inter-library loans and have really enjoyed the investigative work that is involved. Staffing the enquiry desk and solving reader's problems has also been very rewarding. In addition to this, I have been given the fortunate opportunity to work with my former academic department (sociology) by speaking in first year induction lectures about the library services available to students. There's much of the year left so still much more to learn. I am particularly looking forward to visiting other libraries to see the different ways they work What next? The plan is to get a postgraduate qualification in library studies or something similar. I'd like to become a subject librarian in an academic library but also have aspirations to get into archiving, possibly even museums. I think the rest of this year here at the Albert Sloman Library and a year or two studying will help me finalise my career plan. At the moment I feel like the world's my oyster. | |||||||||||||||||||
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Charlotte Francis Degree: BA Hons. (Cantab.) History University: St Catharine’s College, University of Cambridge I’m Charlotte and I’m one of the trainees at the Albert Sloman Library. I have just graduated from the University of Cambridge with a degree in history. Before starting work as a graduate trainee I had no previous library experience (apart from many hours studying in them as a student) so I’ve found it particularly interesting to discover what goes on behind the scenes in a library. I’m currently based in the inter-library loans department where I work as part of a small team, acquiring the books and articles required by our patrons that the library does not stock. As my office is next to the circulation desk, I’m often called out to assist during particularly busy times. During term time, I also spend one evening a week based on the circulation desk, which makes for a nice change and gives me a greater chance to interact with the library’s users. I share responsibility for manning the enquiry desk once a fortnight; it’s one of my favourite parts of the job as I enjoy helping the students to make the most of the library’s resources. Similarly, I’ve also really enjoyed leading tours of the library for new students. I’m looking forward to learning more over the next few months as I move to different departments in the library. I hope that my time at the University of Essex will provide me with greater insight into librarianship and help me decide what to do next in my career. I’m very happy to answer any questions you might have about working as a graduate trainee at the Albert Sloman Library so do feel free to get in touch. My email address is cfrancis. Jonathan Hunter Age: 22 Degree: BSC Human Geography, Reading University Why did you apply? A year ago I was lost in an abyss of uncertainty about my future. Where was I going to work? What was I going to do? As I sat there in the library pondering the situation it did not cross my mind that librarianship was a feasible option until a Librarian directed me to the graduate trainee schemes on the CILIP website. Then I thought libraries... yes of course. I had enjoyed visiting libraries for as long back as I could remember, whether that was taking books out as a child or looking up journals for my dissertation. Working in an environment that I enjoyed visiting so much was a great option. The placement at the Albert Sloman Library offered a wide breadth of experience for a year in the information sector. The approval of the scheme from the many ex Albert Sloman employees based at Reading University was also influential in making me apply. How have you found it? My knowledge of libraries has been greatly enriched in the couple of the months that I have worked at the Albert Sloman Library as well as my awareness of the dangers of using paternoster lifts. I have primarily being based in the Cataloguing Department, which I have really enjoyed. It is interesting learning about all the steps that are involved in determining where new books go in libraries. I am also very grateful for gaining experience working on the circulation and enquiry desk. So far my presence has not scared too many students away, although I have not dared to look at the statistics yet. Thoughts/observations? It’s amazing what you can learn in a short time. Before coming to the Albert Sloman Library I never knew that students had to go in a fish tank to view special collections materials. It shows there is no limit to where people can access information these days. I would say it is a really good experience being a graduate trainee because it gives you a much greater understanding as to how libraries operate, which is especially useful for when deciding the next step in your career path. What next? As Pollard said “unless information is organised and available to the right people in a format for decision making it is a burden, not a benefit”. Thus it feels like there are many options available in the information sector at the moment, especially as information is increasingly becoming available to people in so many different ways, which needs to be organised effectively. Working at the Albert Sloman Library will certainly prove very helpful when deciding which course to take.
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