The Adventures of an International School Librarian

It's amazing really how quickly time flies. I've now been employed in my current job for an entire month. I have 2 weeks left until my Christmas Holidays, and then we'll be into 2012 when we come back. Initially I was quite disappointed with the role, but I've actually grown to love it. I really enjoy what I'm doing, the shelving, getting to know where the books are kept, especially the Occupational Therapy ones, which most of the students seem to use. Helping the students is great, they seem to be mainly older, possibly 3rd or 4th year students, they know how the library works, so they don't seem to ask for help as much, but the new staff or occasional unfamiliar student will unhesitatingly approach the desk and ask for help. The LMS in the library is Millennium, it's very easy and very very user friendly. Touch wood, it doesn't act up. But I think i've come to grips with it. I try to stay away from the problems that staff members have with ea

ANLTC's next event is “The show must go on: sustaining libraries in challenging times” on Wednesday 30th November 2011 at Trinity College Library Dublin. Details of the course and a course application form can be found at: http://www.anltc.ie/events/ events-archive/2011-events/ the-show-must-go-on- sustaining-libraries-in- challenging-times/ Target Audience: The course is specifically geared to library staff involved in the provision or management of key tasks and/or staff. Description: The morning session is about how we in academic libraries can meet the challenging times head-on. We have John Cox, University Librarian, NUIG setting the scene. We’ll then hear from Helen Fallon & Lynne Budden about how NIUM is meeting the challenge via Staff Development. Finally we’ll hear from John McDonough, of the Oireachtas Library & Research Service about the Fas JobBridge Programme how it works and its benefits. Then we’ll get tips from practitioners in the field (in UCD and UL) abo

As I finish off my 2nd week in my new job as a library assistant , I'd like to reflect on what i've learnt thus far. The role of the library assistant can include; shelving, serving customers/clients {whatever you want to call those folks who check out books}, processing new books, tidying shelves, helping customers locate items, answering phones, sending & responding to emails, handling cash/fines, processing inter library loans, collecting mail and asking doctors to put away their stethoscopes. It's been an interesting two weeks. The most difficult part has been learning how to operate their LMS, which in my case is Millennium, and it is very user friendly, but occasionally a few messages pop up and make me scratch my head. The college I work with, also have a sort of medieval approach to students taking out books. Step 1: Take book from student. Step 2: Ask student for their card. Step 3: Scan card. Step 4: Scan barcode of book. Now this is where it g

Recent FAS advertisements for librarians: School Librarian in Blackrock  Description The intern will gain practical experience in setting up a school library, compiling a database of all of the books, cataloguing books and organising a system to facilitate easy access to borrowing books. They will be involved in the development of a literacy policy. The Intern will receive formal/informal training in the following : using the facility admin computer package, setting up a library with assistance and advice from the Senior Librarian in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Library service; Developing strategies to encourage reluctant readers to use the library. Development of a literacy policy. On completion the intern will have attained skills in setting up and running a library, cataloging books and resources, dealing with students and staff, setting up systems to run a library efficiently. Skills Requirements Interested in books and encouraging others to read, organised, creative, fr

Ah Cover Letters. They suck. You're supposed to tailor each cover letter for every single job you apply for, a little bit differently. You read the job spec, see how you can apply it from your previous experience, and then write the blasted thing. It is time consuming, but if you get it right, your efforts will pay off. I made the mistake for years, just attaching the same old cover letter to my CV, and clearly not understanding why I wasn't getting any job interviews. So I've attached my cover letter that secured me a job interview for my current position. Dear Sir/Madam, I would like to apply for the position of Part Time Library Assistant, as was advertised through the X website. I have enclosed my CV for your attention. I received my Masters in Library and Information Studies from University College Dublin. I am still awaiting my final grade but hope to achieve a X honours grade or higher. During this course I have undertaken modules as diverse as Web

This post was introduced to me by a college friend. Frankly it was a position that I hadn't even been aware of. Librarian posts in International schools. It has been difficult researching the actual requirements that are expected from you, it varies from, all you need is your MLIS, to, you need to have a teaching diploma/certificate/degree etc. So be prepared when looking at job specs. 'Going International'  a fabulous article from the Library Journal by Sarah Prescott, answers questions about the international librarian posts. It has a wealth of links to job sites, articles etc. An absolute must read. Another equally great read is 'A Well Kept Secret: How to become an International School Librarian'   by Laura Sanders {and originally posted on the terrific Hack School Library Blog}, this was the article that initially lead me to researching the role of an international librarian. A number of International Teaching career fairs take place around the globe, b

So today, after a weekend of tearing my hair out and convincing myself that I hadn't been successful in the interviews the previous Friday, I finally heard back from them. To recap, on Friday I had two job interviews for 4 positions in Trinity College Libraries. Firstly it was an incredible honor to be selected for these interviews, and secondly, to me, this seemed like the make or break it opportunity. A kind of a one shot chance. My feelings were, if I wasn't successful in the interviews, then Canada would definitely become a reality. The interviews went well. Actually they went bloody fantastic. Each interview consisted of a panel of 3 people. All 6 interviewers were ridiculously nice. I had been quite daunted by the fact that I had never been interviewed by that many people before. The maximum number had been 2. But 3, I mean where do you look? You kind of always, ultimately phase out one person, so that was quite tricky. Anyway, they went ridiculously well. But doubt

So today is the day where my future as a librarian hangs in the balance. Two HUGE interviews for a prestigious college. It's been great to have the week off. I've had ample opportunity to prepare. But more importantly RESEARCH. I've come to learn that it is incredibly important to research the place that you are interviewing for. Be it the position, the company, what they do there, what happened in the past, and most importantly what they are planning to do in the future. Looking at the libraries strategic plan is always a great resource, and generally by a rule, all libraries have one, or are working on one. The questions below*, are ones that have cropped up again and again in interviews. When preparing your answers, always always have an example to back it up, to show how you demonstrated your skills etc. Why did you decide to enter the field of library and information science? OR What motivated you to seek a library degree? Why did you decide to apply for this

It's been incredibly quiet on the job front. Only a new internship by FAS for 2 positions in Tipperary. This morning I woke up, and for some unknown reason, my brain was telling me to research libraries in embassies. I haven't found much job wise, but it's an avenue I hadn't even considered before. I don't if there are any actual librarians working in Irish embassies. But here's an interesting article I found on American ones. I'd love if my intuition actually proved me right for once! Over the next week i'll be posting job interview tips. I have 2 big job interviews next Friday, so I plan on researching the hell out of it, in order to prepare. I feel like this is my biggest opportunity yet, and I can't waste it. So bring it on. Hopefully some new jobs will appear next week. Fingers crossed.

Just for those searching for jobs in the States & Canada. Library Sites is a great website, more so for US libraries . It's divided into states, click on the state and it provides you with Public Libraries, Universities & Specialist libraries. They have a Canadian subsection too which is good but not half as comprehensive as the American version. Reason I mention them, is I've found it's easier to go through the Public libraries and see what job opportunities there are in those particular branches. They usually list positions such as 'Page' and 'Shelf Stacker' etc, as well as part time library assistants, which aren't often advertised on LisJobs . So yes, it is time consuming, but also worth it. Though the interface is really quite dated, Library Job Postings  is a great data bank for jobs in the States {less so Canada}. Links: Library Job Postings Canada  Library Job Postings US LisJobs {US} Library Sites {US} Library Sites

For those registered with FAS and that have been on JobSeekers Allowance for 3 Months, there are a few opportunities out there. A few based in Dundalk, Cork, Roscommon, Ennis & Dublin. This Librarian  post via FAS closes in 2 days time {5th Oct}, it's a job in Special Needs school in Sandymount, Dublin and is also associated with the Job Bridge Scheme, so applicants need to make sure they are applicable before they apply. So far these are the only jobs, i've been able to locate online. In other news, i've decided to give Ireland 6 months, and then it's off to Canada for me. I figure it gives me enough time to get myself a job in retail, save some money before the big move. There are jobs in Canada, esp in the library field, they aren't half as frequent as the jobs from the States. The reason I've decided not to do the year long J1 visa, is purely on the fact that it is expensive. At least in Canada, whilst waiting for the perfect Library job, you ca

Some potential {and extremely exciting} job opportunities over at Trinity College Dublin . There are FOUR jobs going there. All are library assistant roles, of which 3 are part time. The other role is a 6 month full time library assistant role. The deadline is tomorrow. {Sept. 27th 2011 12pm} So get applying.  I am however extremely skeptical about these roles as, from past experiences, these could be an 'inside job'. They legally have to advertise positions, etc, thus giving us all false hope. I'm hoping and praying that this is not the case for these 4 potentially interesting jobs.  Which brings me nicely onto the subject of Cover Letters. Ugh. This is an area of my life, I truly detest. For the life of me I cannot write a decent cover letter, they have ranged in the past from 3 sentences, 'My name is x, I would like a job. Thanks' - to thesis like cover letters. The one that I have been using at the moment has secured me 3 job interviews, i'm currently re

One job application today for LK Shields . They're looking for a part time library assistant in their Dublin offices. In other library news, I just discovered that SILS are now offering Archival modules. Fantastic for the class of 2012, but disappointing for those of us who have just completed the year. Archiving has been one of those job posts that keep on coming up, but without the experience or the taught element behind the individual, these jobs are exceptionally hard to come by. UCD SILS are offering most courses to be audited, and for me personally, i'd love the opportunity to audit the Archival modules, but as it has yet to be offered as an auditing module. Another discovery according to UCD SILS website is that ...." The SILS MLIS is a highly regarded internationally recognised qualification. It is accreditated by the  Library Association Ireland  which is also recognized by the  American Library Association ."   Good to know, should any of us decide to

Even in Spain, the rejection letters keep a´coming. Happy happy joy joy. It´s been  10 days since I left Ireland, and I´m thankful to say that all I have done for those past 6 days is eat, sunbathe, drink and read. Absolutely glorious. Unemployment and the future, as topics of conversation have been bought up once or twice, but quietly dimissed. It´s too hard in the sun. Maybe I should brush up on my Espanol, find myself a library job in Spain. Wonderful! Right it´s back to the beach for me. Adios!

So there I am. Happy happy, bags are packed for Spain in the morning. I've done all the final checks, got my passport, boarding cards, money, iPod, etc. Everything is just peachy, my biggest concern at that moment is that I don't have an alarm clock to wake me up. Oh wells. One final check of the emails before I jump into bed. Oh look, an email from Publishing Ireland, an interview I attended last Tuesday and which I felt had gone really really really really well. Of course it being sent at 9.45pm, didn't bode well. No acceptance letter is sent at that time. I reluctantly opened it with a sigh, and boom, there they were. Those stupid horrible little words all strung together ' I regret to say that on this occasion you have not been successful...' Well it's definitely cemented my desire to move abroad. But for the moment, excuse me whilst I jet off to Spain in the AM. Now where's that tequila to drown my sorrows.

I used to write fan fiction. A lot. These were the days when I was finishing secondary school or sometime starting college, I used to write reams and reams of stuff. It embarrassingly started off with Westlife stories, then I discovered the world of Nsync fan fiction and I was sold. When I was in 4th year in secondary school, a story that I had written about a girl named Laura {clearly based on myself} who was originally Irish moved to NY to work in MTV. There she met Justin Timberlake and the entire Nsync gang, a whole whirlwind relationship followed and it was awful. But at the time, writing a new chapter every night it was great. The story got passed around the entire year, I would have classmates coming up to me asking, 'Where's Chapter 4 etc.' Horrifically I remember a teacher coming up and asking if she could read it. I'm pretty sure I finished it up quickly there and then. After Nsync I moved onto Orlando Bloom and alternated writing Tennis fan fiction {mainl

Every good blog should start with an introduction. So. Hello. I am Missy. And today I am alright. I'm doing pretty good. The highlight of my day so far has been dancing around my room, listening to Nina Simone. Other than that, nothing extraordinary has happened. No celebrity sightings, no EuroMillions win, no puppies that needed to be saved. Reasons for establishing this blog. a} As of Friday the 26th of August {approx. 3 days ago} I handed in my thesis. As far as I am concerned I am a qualified Librarian. I may not have the piece of paper that identifies myself as such, but, yes the rumors are true, I am a librarian. So job searches and moaning and general discord will be an almost guaranteed daily event. You have been warned. b} Because of the overwhelming shitty economic situation everywhere in the world, and especially in Ireland {where I happen to hail from}, I may just have to emigrate to warmer climes, or just where they speak English with a funny accent. c} I l