| This is the third of a regular series that features members of the committee answering questions about the job they do and some of the professional (and not so professional!) issues surrounding it. This time it is the turn of Craig Martin, who is the secretary of the Career Development Group Committee (Eastern Division) and the Co-ordinator of the ELIPP Website Sub-group… | ||
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| How did you get where you are today? | ||
| I have worked in a variety of libraries since I was 16 and things seem to have followed a natural progression! I started as a volunteer, and then became a relief Branch Assistant at Great Cornard Library when I finished my A' Levels. I then continued to work on a relief basis at numerous public libraries in the area when I undertook my first degree in Information Technology and Sociology & Psychology. During this time I progressed to the post of Enquiry Officer at the Music and Drama Library, and when I finished my degree I started an MSc in Information and Library Studies by distance learning. | ||
| What does being a "School Librarian" actually mean? | ||
| It actually means far more than what was in my original job description - which was promptly changed after my appointment! I have the overall responsibility for the smooth running (I hope!) of the library on a day-to-day basis and am accountable for long-term planning and the library budget. I have to ensure that relevant resources are sourced, ordered and processed which are suitable for the curriculum. This is increasingly being CD-ROMs and other electronic resources. I also teach library skills and liase with staff when classes are able to use the library. I answer enquiries from pupils and staff, organise book-events, as well as prepare topic boxes. I also do all the other tasks - such as shelving, tidying, repairing books etc. I have some input into the school website and seem to also be a general trouble-shooter - particularly when it comes to IT issues within school! | ||
| What Key skills do you use in your job? | ||
| Organizational, cataloguing, ICT, communication skills, keeping calm (even when the fifth book rep has phoned during the morning!) and the art of negotiation! | ||
| What do you find most rewarding in your job? | ||
| When pupils tell me that I have helped them find a book that they have thoroughly enjoyed, and being able to nurture reluctant readers to try something - and then they come back a few days later to say that they enjoyed it! I'm also pleased that no longer 80% of the children's favourite author is "Roald Dahl", which he was when I started the job a couple of years ago. | ||
| Most difficult? | ||
| Remembering names (I am hopeless!) and managing to cram everything successfully into my working week! | ||
| Most exciting? | ||
| I actually find
that being a primary school librarian was one of the most exciting things
- as we're currently a rare breed, but I hope this will change in the future.
I get a real 'buzz' when the new books that I have ordered arrive. One of the most exciting things was when the library was re-opened in December 2002, it was after a culmination of a years' hard work and able to stand back and know that something beneficial had been achieved! We are now in the early stages of planning to open a Toy Library, which is also very exciting - but somewhat daunting! |
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| Most surprising? | ||
| Firstly, I'm still amazed what has been achieved in the library in less than two years, considering the state of the place when I was appointed. Secondly, that playing classical music at lunchtime really does calm the kids down! | ||
| Are you happy to offer to field questions from those interested in working in your area? | ||
| Yes, very much so. Please do e-mail me with any questions you have. | ||
| What professional-related groups do you participate in and why? | ||
| I'm the secretary of the Career Development Group in the Eastern region and the Co-ordinator for the ELIPP website. I have been involved with both committees for the last two years, and my appetite was whetted with an impressive CDG conference that I attended as a student member in 2000. I enjoy maintaining and creating websites, so part of my reason from joining ELIPP was to set up a website medium to communicate effectively what we actually do, and at the same time be reflective by asking for and acting on feedback from members. | ||
| If you weren't a "School Librarian", what do you think you would be? | ||
| Probably a teacher. | ||
| What are your current top 3 favourite websites? | ||
| www.amazon.co.uk
(This is my 'bible' for new books and for tracing those obscure books from
National Curriculum reading lists that teachers keep giving me, and are
often long out of print - if so www.abebooks.co.uk
is another favourite!) www.theteajunction.co.uk (Not as the name suggests, they also sell some of the finest coffee around). www.ebay.co.uk (Fantastic for long-deleted CDs, out of print books and just about anything else, often at a bargain price as well!). |
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| What was the last stimulating book you read? | ||
| John Grisham's "The Rainmaker" and Polly Toynbee's "Hard Work: Low-Pay in Britain" | ||
| Enthralling film you saw? | ||
| They're oldies but "1984" or "The Birds" are two of my favourites. | ||
| Memorable piece of music you heard? | ||
| "Good Boys" by Blondie (it's throw-away pop, I know, but it's the tune of the moment that I can't get out of my head. Ask me next week, or even tomorrow and it'll probably be something different!) | ||
| What country would you like to visit? | ||
| Australia | ||
| Can you identify (unlikely or unusual) things in your social/ personal life that have helped you in your career? | ||
| Often my knowledge of music from the last thirty or so years has been useful while working at the Music and Drama Library, and public libraries and within my current job as well! | ||
| Tell the world about your secret passion for? | ||
| Prawns and smoked salmon - I absolutely adore them...! |