Where am I heading to? (Image c/o Frogman! on Flickr.)

I’ve been in somewhat of a reflective mood over the past week or so, possibly due to some unhappy events in my private life. Coincidentally, these things have also hindered my ability to write blog posts lately (hence the larger than usual gap between posts). So I thought to myself, why not put the reflective thing and the lack of posts together and write a reflective blog post? So here I am, about to get it all out and reflect. Hopefully this will break my mental block and give me some (much needed?) perspective on where I am.

I moved into libraries fairly late I guess. I started working in libraries back in 2005, after eight years of working in retail. Looking back, I don’t really miss the retail days. I learnt a lot from the experience and in many ways it has shaped me and the way I work, particularly in the way I manage people (not that that is something I have to do in my current job). That said, it was a stressful experience – low pay, pressured and dehumanising. There were elements I enjoyed. We had a laugh at times and I certainly enjoyed it more when I was supported and encouraged to try things out. I think I was already a fairly creative thinker before working in retail, but I think working in retail gave me the confidence to be prepared to throw ideas around and try new stuff out (I guess it may also have something to do with maturity).

It got to the stage, however, where I was going nowhere and decided it was time to do something new and different. So I applied to work in a public library. Fortunately, retail experience appeared to be something that they were pretty keen on and I flew through the interview and was subsequently offered the job as a Customer Services Officer at Maidstone Library (alongside another retail escapee). For some reason, and despite graduating in English Literature and History, a career in libraries had never occurred to me before. But once I started I wondered what had taken me so long to realise that this was where I was supposed to be. Maybe librarian had been mentioned to me when we had careers advice but I had dismissed it as boring. In fact, given that some of my school friends once slipped a sleeping tablet into our librarian’s coffee, it is little wonder I was so dismissive of becoming a librarian!

Anyway, after several months of settling into a new line of work I decided that I enjoyed it so much I would apply to study the MSc Information and Library Studies course at Aberystwyth. I guess there were two main motives behind this. First, I had wanted to study a Masters for some time. I first applied to embark on one when I was around 23/24. The topic was the history and literature of Victorian England if I remember correctly and I got as far as a preliminary interview before being persuaded that it probably wasn’t the best investment at that time (what on earth was I going to do with such a qualification?? It’s not like I would have fashioned a career out of it!).

Second, I was aware that the qualification was recognised across the EU. Being married to a Spaniard this was a very big plus point. The intention has always been to go and live in Spain and it was important for me to know that I could have a career over there and not just open a bar like most of those who arrive on the Costas. This has rather taken a back-burner at the moment given the current economic situation (Spain isn’t exactly doing great at the moment) but it is something that will always be an option and having this qualification will really help.

But I also decided to do it because I was passionate about libraries and I felt comfortable with the idea of working in this field for the rest of my working life. And whilst I had some initial doubts about its usefulness and the cost, I have not regretted it one bit. In fact, whilst I am not currently in a ‘librarian’ role, I have no doubt that I wouldn’t be where I am now in the broadest sense if I hadn’t embarked on this qualification.

Of course, after five years of working in public libraries (and enjoying every moment of it), managing the children’s library, branch libraries and overseeing stock management amongst other things, I left to work in an academic library. I took the decision to leave based on a number of factors. Firstly, I could see what was coming around the corner in public libraries. We had been talking about it in my district for several months (if not longer) and knew that an assault was due to occur at any moment. Secondly, I thought an opportunity to work in a systems team would give me the opportunity to broaden my skills and gain a broader understanding of library work. I’m all for diversifying and getting as wide an experience as possible. In my view there is no point developing in a very narrow way, it is important to be as flexible as possible in your development in order to survive.

Obviously I never left behind the world of public libraries, co-founding Voices for the Library in 2010. I guess my involvement in such a project is my proudest achievement. Whilst I am passionate about progressing in my career, I am also incredibly passionate about developing Voices. I have always been a bit of a politically minded individual and a little bit of a campaigner-y type. For several years I produced a left-wing blog, spouting off on various subjects and expressing my views on a variety of issues I cared about. It was very small-scale campaigning, but it was campaigning nonetheless and it was something I really cared about. Sure, I probably said some stupid things (although The Guardian did quote me twice so either my stupidity was worthy of note or their standards had dropped), but I was passionate and determined to try to ‘make a difference’ (I was also very naive).

In terms of Voices, I have enjoyed every moment so far. I love engaging with people, sharing my passion for libraries and arguing the case for public libraries (some might say I enjoy the arguing bit the most). I have particularly enjoyed engaging with various important media types, advocating for libraries and trying to help raise the profile of the campaign to save them. Outside of my day-to-day working life that is the thing that I am most passionate about. I’m not really interested in presenting at events or doing stuff in relation to the profession as a whole, I want to be getting out there and promoting the service to as many people as possible.

In terms of the future, once I complete my Masters I do not envisage even contemplating chartership. It is not something I am really interested in getting under my belt and, for good or ill, I kind of have the attitude that if I have the Masters what else do I have to prove? I wouldn’t rule it out altogether (that would be stupid) but after completing the MSc my priority is to have a little break, spend some time with my family and then kick-on with fighting for library services (not least because there will most likely be an almighty battle when Kent – one of the largest library authorities – announces its programme of closures). That said, I have always been keen to keep the option open on completing a PhD and that may be something I consider in the years to come. But then again, who really knows what the future will bring?