LIS New Professionals Network

Hi Emily! Yes I'm definitely on board for future meet-ups. I've done pretty much all of my UCL application except the dreaded personal statement - which I suppose is the main part of the application - haha. Going to make a start on it over the weekend.

Hope you're enjoying the Bodleian! I'd quite like to visit it, but not sure if the London Library would allow us to travel that far afield for one of our library visits. Perhaps I'd have to do it in my own time. I'm in a similar boat to you in the sense that if no funding appears from UCL I'm going to see about getting another full-time job after my traineeship and then looking into distance learning or part-time study. Since I've only just moved to London for my traineeship, I want to stay here for at least 2 to 3 years, so I'd be happy with a full-time library assistant job to gain even more experience and continue on my quest to be a librarian!!
 

If the next meet-up was on a Friday, would you guys at Oxford be able to make it down to London?
 

Possibly. It's pretty far to come just for the evening though. X

Hello,

I've only just discovered this network so though I would introduce myself. I'm Marion, one of the 3 graduate trainees at the University of Essex in Colchester. I'm really enjoying the traineeship so far - I'm mostly based in Inter-Library loans, but we also get a variety of experience on the circulation desk/ enquiry duties etc.

I'm in the middle of doing applications at the moment. I'm applying for part-time study at UCL and Distance Learning at Aberystwyth. I think studying part-time is going to be the best (or to be honest, the only) option for me financially. To be honest I spend a lot of time worrying about tuition fees/ scholarships/ applying for career development loans/ paying back career development loans at the moment!

2 areas I'm really interested in are special collections librarianship and music librarianship (I'm a music graduate) - so a job that could combine those things would be brilliant (although I would settle for either one or the other!)

Good luck to everyone doing applications at the moment :) Also if there were to be a meet-up in London I might be able to make it (and hopefully bring the other Essex trainees) as we're only an hour outside of London.
 

Hi again,

Can't believe how quickly the time is flying by. I really need to stop dragging my feet on these applications :( Lucy and I have been on a couple of library visits around Leeds and also to University of Manchester's Deansgate and Main Libraries. All were very worthwhile and it seems info professionals are very open to visitors, and giving their time to encouraging new professionals, which is great!

We are now looking further afield and trying to plan a visit to London, and possibly some Oxford libraries. We are very much left to our own devices (of course our managers will give advice) on the planning, so I was wondering if any other trainees have anything organised for the British Library and the National Archives? I have already tentatively planned a trip to the British Library but was advised by my predecessor that a larger group of trainees often get a more tailored tour, and thought maybe some of us should join forces?

Also, Lucy and I are really hoping to visit some Oxford Libraries in the New Year and we were wondering if any Oxford trainees would be interested in hosting us for the day? We are more than happy to offer a similar day trip to Leeds, where we could give you a tour of the Brotherton, Edward Boyle and Health Sciences Libraries, arrange a meeting with particular departments/service areas that suit your interests, and chat to you about our traineeship (that goes for any other interested trainees too!) Let me know what you think and I can start another forum if needed.

Sorry for the overload! Thanks everyone,

Roisin :)
 

Have messaged you Roisin :]
 

Hi Roisin,

I'd definitely be up for a trip to the British Library too, and I'm sure I could convince my other two fellow trainees.

I'd also be interested in organising a trip to Leeds at some point, as I could probably coincide it with a trip home since it's only an hour away from my parents. We'll definitely have to get something sorted in the new year.

I finished drafting my UCL personal statement last night, so going to put the finishing touches to my application next week, AAARGH! It's so scary, and to be honest I'm not sure if I'll end up going if there isn't any funding. I might work for another year and save up to then study part-time with the safety of some money behind me. Hmmmm, who knows. I'm definitely not going to rule out moving elsewhere, like Loughborough or Sheffield, but since I've only just made the 'big move' to London I want to give it a go for at least a few years down here. I know competition for jobs is going to be tough, but I suppose this is what it's like being a proper grown up!
 

Oh yes do come to Oxford, would love to meet other trainees and show them around!! And a trip to the British Library sounds good too :)

Jayne, apparently we already have a trip to the British Library organised in Trinity, by Emma. So that's already sorted for us lot. :)

As this is an active discussion by quite a few new professionals, seeking to get qualified, I thought you all may be interested to hear about an Information Assistant vacancy I am recruiting for at the moment. 

One of the London law firms is offering a 12 month contract role for someone who is either already signed up for their course, or who is investigating their options to do so at the moment.   During the role you will learn to assist with research & enquiries, current awareness provision, journals and library management and intranet development & maintenance as part of their KM services.   For details and to apply check out here.