The Adventures of an International School Librarian

Its fascinating living in a country so removed from where you originally grew up. Having moved to Vientiane, Laos at the end of July 2016 I found myself in a city of temples and monks. And it is just glorious. I travel to work every day with a big smile on my face because I love the lifestyle here. Its so slow paced, no one rushes to do anything and it just happens I have the best job in the world too. Unlike my last school and awful experience in China, this school in Vientiane is just wonderful. The teachers I work with are awesome, the students are amazing and the school properly looks after its teachers. They care about you. I arrive in work most days at 7.30am and I am happy to stay in school till close to 5pm. I am frantically busy. I love my job and I don't think I have dreaded going into work once. How many people honestly get to say that? Over a 5 week period I conducted 5 workshops for parents which ranged from what the VIS library does, to searching and evaluatin...

As my first year comes almost to an end its been a very interesting ride. I have learnt a hell of a lot. And I am so so so ready for next year to start. I can't wait to put what I've learnt into practice and refine it. And the fantastic part is I am still learning. That is the beauty of this job, it never gets dull. No two days are ever the same. My goals for next year are to implement blogs into the library. I established one, but I just have not had a second to spare to do it. I promise I will be updating that and this more regularly. Im so bad at that. I need to be more regimented because I see all the examples out there of people who do the most amazing work and its just so inspiring. In terms of my school library we got 10 iPads which are glorious. I adore them and have been using them so much with my MYP students. Again I cannot wait for next year to use them with the PYPs. The only app I've used with the PYP is ' Don't let the Pigeon Run this App '....

Today I discovered ReadWriteThink  and it has changed my life! There are so many fantastic lesson plans in there for a library. I started with my MYP 2 ATL class their lesson plan on creating a Book Trailer. The MYP 2's are a low level English speaking class. They constantly speak Chinese in the class which drives myself and the other teachers crazy. You spend 3/4 of the class repeating the same phrase over and over again"Please speak English!". So I thought I'd do something fun with them for the next 6 or so weeks making book trailers. We discussed what a good movie trailer looks like, what we expect when we go to the movie theatre and what the advertisement sells us in terms of entertainment. They panicked when I said they'd have to read a book in a week, so we compromised and they only had to read a Children's picture book for next week to discuss and present as there book trailer book. I'm going to do the same activity with MYP 1 who are fantastic ...

I completed my second IB workshop, this time it was entered towards the library which interested me so much more. The online workshop, Making the PYP Library the Hub of Learning  was absolutely fantastic and I learnt so much from it. It made me aware of skills that I have been lacking and am now more focused and determined than ever to change that. Primarily it revolves around IT. I want to upskill myself and learn to use Apps. I can't do it at the moment as I have no tablet to play around on which it makes it so much more difficult to do. I believe that technology is vital to any library, more so in a school library. As a teacher librarian we have a role to play in the school, yes physical books are amazing and irreplaceable but in order to do certain things like keeping children, who are digital natives, we must keep ourselves up to date and knowledgable about all the technology resources out there. I'm doing my best to start brightening up the library with displays and pos...

With a little bit of disruption before the Christmas break, where the Head of the School was fired, which put a bit of a damper mood on the school, this semester has been going really well. I feel like I'm settling more and more into the role. There is so much work to be done. Things that have been established so far have been a budget for the library, a new guided reading section and I'm cataloguing the English books now. I needed to take a bit more control in my role as the Head Librarian. Its still completely new to me. I'm still learning and adapting to the role. Only 6 months ago I was still a lowly library assistant. Used to taking orders and managing my own job, not managing jobs for two other people. I love the job. I love the excitement the kids have when they enter the library and find new titles. Last week with MYP 1 & 3 I did speed book dating and it was a huge success. Most of the students went home with a book from another person that had been recommen...

So I entirely forgot about this blog. Whoops! These things do happen. Life tends to get in the way. To catch up over the past two years from where I last left off, I continued to work part time in the library for 2 and half years in total. Then 6 months ago I picked up some more hours and was almost working a full time job. Yet in the back of my mind I was worried about my contracts knowing that they weren't permanent, that job security still lacked. That I was constantly broke. That I had to move home because I couldn't afford to pay rent. So sometime in July I started randomly applying for jobs. I'm not sure I was actually serious about moving away. I think I just really fancied the idea. I'd toyed around for years with the idea. It really was just working up the courage to do so. Then finally in August I was offered a job - in China. My wonderful and amazing boyfriend persuaded me that this was the best decision that I was likely to make. In his words "Stop ...

This summer has been go, go, go in terms of job interviews. Whilst I haven't been exactly successful in the job aspect, it has been informative. I've had 2 Skype interviews with a school in Romania and in Italy. The interview for the school in Romania was interesting, it was over the phone, and I felt a lot more confident in my approach to that interview. I even used BIG words. At the end of the day they were looking for someone who had supervisor skills, something that at the moment, I do not have. The Italian interview, took place whilst I was on holidays in Thailand. It was a face-to-face Skype interview and it was hard. Primarily due to the fact that there was a significant delay, it was hard to get the flow of conversation going. And I had flies landing and driving me insane, so arms were being flung violently around the place. Funnily enough I didn't get the job. It has made me hungrier for an International experience. I personally believe it's the only way ...

NCI are looking for a part time library assistant . The deadline is Friday May 11th. All Hallows College are also looking for a full-time library assistant . In which has to be the first position of it's kind advertised in the past 6 months. A long long drought. The deadline for this one is Friday 18th May. Prepare your CV's!

Apologies for the ridiculously long delay in writing a new post. To be honest not much has been happening in my Library world. I still work as a temporary part time library assistant {phew - what a job title!}, although for the past 3 weeks and for the next 5 weeks I am full time, working 35 hours plus overtime at the weekends. It's great to be getting the extra hours. I know work 2pm-10pm, and thankfully I have a car, if I didn't I think I'd hate working till 10pm every night. Especially as the area I work in, is particularly dodgy. The role is only temporary, as the person who used to do the evenings, has left on a 2 year career break. I'd imagine when the role starts up again in October, they'll get someone new to fill it. So a potential job could be made out here in Trinity! Lately I've been questioning the value of the Masters in Library & Information Studies. I loved the course, it was probably one of my favourite things that I have done.Yet valu...

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...

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...