How I became a librarian

I started life as a teacher in a special needs school in Doncaster.  Although my main subject was music, i started to diversify and became more specialised in language needs using Makaton as my base.  However after 10 years I decided this was not my chosen career path & left.

I didn't know what I wanted to do at first, but on a trip to my local library, there was an advert on the counter for a relief library assistant.  "Great!" I thought, "now that's something I'd love to  do!".  So I applied & got it.  After my first day on the job, I knew I loved it.  Eight months later I got a full time job in the Central Library & settled down to life a a library assistant.  I loved the fact that every day was different, I spent time in the main library, the music library and the children's library.  I even had the odd day in the reference & local history library.  My days as a teacher drew me more & more into the children's library & after four years I got the job as Library assistant in charge of the children's library.

That was the best six years ever, I loved all the different things I did down there, such as story-times, activities, school visits, helping with homework etc.  and it was during this time, that I decided to become a Professional Librarian.  I had a meeting with the head of the library service & although I had to pay myself, she was more than happy to give me day release.  So three years later I was a qualified librarian, but there was no qualified post for me.  So I had to start applying elsewhere.

So I can became an Early Years Librarian with SureStart.  Very different, it was fun, but had it's moments.  Part of my role was to establish a new early years library, which took over 3 years to build as it turned out & then someone new took over the children's centres & six months later he closed it saying there was no need for an early years library! So after four years I was job hunting again.

I was lucky enough to get a job as Subject Librarian at Doncaster College where i have been for six and a half years & for the most part have really loved it.  We have just had a restructure in the last month & I had to be interviewed for my post, but I'm still here & I really am so pleased that I am.  The job has changed, but it's a new era for the College LRC & it's a case of wait & see what the future holds.