How I became a librarian (well nearly!)
As a child I used to pretend to work in a library but, while it would have saved a lot of wrong turns if I’d paid attention to my 4 year old self’s ambitions, it actually took a few years of confusion and indecision before I realised it was the grown-up profession for me!
I never really enjoyed school or studying but I did my A Levels as I wasn’t sure what else to do (the fact the school I went to had a sixth form influenced the decision, if I’d had to be proactive and look for a college my life would be pretty different now!). I didn’t really enjoy this time so I finished still not having any idea about what I could do and feeling pretty set against further study. So instead of going to university, I decided to look for a job.
It took a while but finally, after experiencing the misery that is signing on, I was offered one sorting the post at a conveyancing solicitors. As jobs go it could have been worse, the people were nice at least, but it wasn’t enjoyable or challenging work and I hated the thought of doing it long-term and so when a girl at work tried to convince me to go to university I listened.
However my experience of university was pretty much the same as that of sixth form. I wasn’t sure what the point was and the closer I got to finishing the more scared I got about the future. So, feeling slightly desperate, when librarian came up on the aptitude test I thought ‘what the heck?’, I had no concept of what being a librarian would mean but luckily I found someone to guide me. I met with one of the librarians at Bradford University who explained the profession to me, it was enough to convince me to give it a go!
The only paid work I was offered in this time period was, again, a job sorting the post at a conveyancing solicitors only this time round it was part time. I was a bit disheartened as it seemed like I was in worse position than when I had finished my A Levels but it meant that when an offer of voluntary work experience came up at Bradford University I was able to accept it. This was such a brilliant opportunity and after my first day I knew this was the profession for me. The staff were so helpful and allowed me to gain experience of so many different things, I learnt to catalogue, assisted in teaching sessions and helped with stock management. This experience helped me to secure the graduate trainee post with the NHS working across four libraries in Bradford. Again this was really great and the people I worked with all helped me to develop and learn lots of new skills, I was even left to supervise one of the libraries for a month!
Even though my previous academic experience wasn’t enjoyable I knew from day one that I would want to complete the MA so I could become a professional librarian. Most people I spoke to recommended coming to Sheffield University and after attending the interview day I knew it was the right place for me. The MA is quite hard work but it’s the first time I’ve ever enjoyed studying so I try not to complain (much!). I’m now very nearly finished and, touch wood, I have my first professional post to start in July, it’s hard to believe I only decided on this profession less than two years ago but it’s definitely the one for me!
Tips
Experience
It’s important to gain some experience in the profession first as it means you can decide if it’s right for you and, if it is, it will give you a better grounding for when you do the MA and try look for professional posts.
A graduate trainee post is a great way to go about this so take a look here
http://www.cilip.org.uk/jobs-careers/qualifications/graduate-opportunites/pages/introduction.aspx
You could also look for library assistant posts and a good website to go to is LisJobNet as it shows a variety of posts
http://www.lisjobnet.com/
Also jobs come up on directgov (its how I found my professional post)
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Jobseekers/LookingForWork/DG_10030134
Voluntary work could also be an option or just arranging visits to libraries and speaking to librarians. It took a half hour chat and a couple of hours voluntary work for me to realise the profession was for me so this could be a good way for you to establish your interest.
The MA
I felt quite daunted about doing the MA (and still do to be honest) but I really enjoy it and have no regrets. My advice is to look at the courses, the different study options (distance, part-time etc) and also the different universities and areas, it’s important you find the one which best suits you
Networking
There’s lots of librarians chattering on the web and you can pick up a lot of great advice from them,
I recommend
http://www.lexrigby.com/
http://thewikiman.org/blog/
But there are many out there so have a look here http://uklibraryblogs.pbworks.com/w/page/7262285/FrontPage
