The Adventures of an International School Librarian

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 ...