| This is the fourth of a series that features members of CILIP from the East of England 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 Jayne Whitwell... | ||
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| How did you get where you are today? | ||
| Probably a rather unconventional career path. I started as a cook in a jam factory, then worked in a pub. I then went on to do a business admin course at college and got a job as a bank clerk. From there I went on to work as a Department Manager in a supermarket, did a couple of years of an OU degree and a diploma in counselling. Again a complete career change as I became a dental nurse and then went on to be the practice manager. I love reading so when I saw an advert for a library manager in my hometown I applied. Three years later Norfolk County Council decided that people in a librarian's role no longer needed to be chartered, so I had the opportunity to apply for a post. I'm about to submit my ACLIP application and intend to then go on to chartership in the future. | ||
| What does being a "Community Librarian" actually mean? | ||
| These new roles are designed to take the library message out in to the community in a much more pro-active way than we did previously. We no longer deal with complex enquiries, they go to a team of reference and information librarians at our central library and our stock ordering is handled differently as well. We spend much of our time forging new partnerships, working out in the community and providing a programme of events, activities and Internet taster sessions in the library in order to engage all sections of the community. We have spent a lot of time developing community profiles so that we can tailor our work to the needs of the community. We also act as a champion in one particular area, and mine is children and young people. A champion has a much more in depth knowledge of their group, which we pass on to colleagues and the library team as well as developing countywide initiatives. | ||
| What Key skills do you use in your job? | ||
| You need excellent inter-personal and customer focussed skills. You need to be able to think outside the box to develop innovative ways of engaging the more hard to reach sections of the community. You definitely need an enquiring mind and be willing to learn. I'd say probably the most important skill of all is a good sense of humour! | ||
| What do you find most rewarding in your job? |
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| Working with teenagers, without a doubt. They can be moody, loud, hilariously funny, incredibly deep and thoughtful and never cease to amaze me. Often they can be all of those at once. | ||
| Most difficult? | ||
| All the forms we have to complete and risk assessments. | ||
| Most exciting? | ||
| I did an interview with the Daily Express about being a librarian in the twenty-first century that was very exciting. I also love getting proof copies of books, it always seems like Christmas! | ||
| Most surprising? | ||
| The fact that I love working with teenagers. I have one myself, six feet two, complete with varying hair colours body piercings. I thought they were strange and scary creatures until I started working with them. | ||
| Are you happy to offer to field questions from those interested in working in your area? | ||
| Yes. You can contact me at: jayne.whitwell@norfolk.gov.uk | ||
| What professional-related groups do you participate in and why? | ||
| Youth Libraries Group, I'm also vice chair of YLG Eastern. It provides not only up to date information and ideas, but provides wonderful networking opportunities. Being a member of YLG has been particularly helpful as I started my career as a librarian and the ability to complete a qualification in the form of ACLIP is great. I attended the YLG conference last year and it was a wonderful experience. I learned a lot from the speakers and meeting authors and publishers was great, but the best bit was meeting other librarians and those in similar work from all over the World. | ||
| If you weren't a "Community Librarian", what do you think you would be? | ||
| I always wanted to be a pathologist when I was at school; I think I watched too much Quincy. I think I would be a doctor or an undertaker, both caring professions in their own way, or some kind of environmental work, I'm a real advocate for wildlife and green issues. | ||
| What are your current top 3 favourite websites? | ||
| www.play.com
It has replaced Amazon in my heart since Amazon reverted to the speed of
an early 90's Amstrad! It doesn't have the same breadth of information as
Amazon yet, but it's very quick and user-friendly. The wonderful www.ebay.co.uk, for indulging one of my secret passions and an amazing selection of out of print books. www.victorianlondon.org the wonderful website of author Lee Jackson, which contains a wealth of information about Victorian London from poisoning to professions and toys to transport. |
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| What was the last stimulating book you read? | ||
| The New Complete Book of Self Sufficiency by John Seymour and Will Sutherland. An updated version of the 1970's original and a real inspiration. | ||
| Enthralling film you saw? | ||
| Just watched Apollo 13 for the umpteenth time. I was born in 1969, the year of the first moon landing, and I've always been fascinated by space. It seems incredible that they even got off the ground with the limited technology they had. | ||
| Memorable piece of music you heard? | ||
| Have had Strawberry Fields Forever going round in my head all day. | ||
| What country would you like to visit? | ||
| New Zealand, it's just the flight that puts me off. | ||
| Can you identify (unlikely or unusual) things in your social/ personal life that have helped you in your career? | ||
| A large Triumph motorbike, I've even had it parked inside the library for an event! It causes lots of conversations with all ages, especially a lot of older gentleman who had British motorcycles themselves. My interest in rock and punk music, playing the guitar, all things Gothic and snowboarding helps break down a few stereotypical images as well. | ||
| Tell the world about your secret passion for? | ||
| My collection of Victorian funeral cards and mourning jewellery. I don't know why but some people think that's rather strange! |