In our April 2022 ‘View from my desk’ we would like to introduce you to Jen Johnson, a Library Technician with 18 years experience in high school and college libraries, currently between workplaces due to a recent redundancy.
Where and how did you start your LIS career?
Throughout my childhood I was an avid reader and always gravitated to the school library, in high school I had a great Teacher Librarian who was very encouraging and would buy books that she thought I would like. I started to think that working in a library would be a good thing. However, I started doing office work, ending up in banking.
Three children and time out of the paid workforce led me to think of what I type of work I would like to do when I returned to the paid workforce – it wasn’t banking! I remembered being younger and wanting to work in libraries, so I pursued that and did the Diploma in Library and Information Services, starting at TasTAFE, where I had the good fortune to have been taught many subjects by Leonie Atkins who I found very inspiring, and completing the Diploma at the CIT in Canberra.
After graduating and returning to Hobart in early 2003 I started doing relief work at TasTAFE. In September of 2003 I was able to secure a position as a Library Technician at MacKillop College, working with a wonderful Teacher Librarian and a senior Library Technician who were both supportive and encouraging. In 2007/2008 I upgraded my qualification to Advanced Diploma in Library and Information Services. In the autumn of 2008, I started as a Library Technician at Guilford Young College where I stayed until October of 2021. Whilst at Guilford Young College I had the good fortune to collaborate with another great Teacher Librarian as well as several talented and enthusiastic Librarians.
Does your role in the LIS field match what you expected before starting out?
My expectations have been exceeded many times over during my years in school libraries. Each of the school libraries I have worked in have had small teams, which has meant that all sides of library work are covered, leading to a full understanding of all aspects of library work. Both libraries were also terribly busy with students and staff needing help and support with finding information for assignments, finding resources, juggling the balance between having a place conducive to quiet study with group work, and providing a safe space for students when necessary were just some of our tasks on the floor. Then there were the behind-the-scenes jobs of cataloguing, end processing and adding programs to our digital platform.
What are the key issues you face in your role? What are the rewards?
Key issues were the lack of understanding by management about what libraries could offer students and staff apart from lending resources, and supervising students, which could be challenging at times. The biggest issue was going through a library review with a review team that had five people in it but none of them library trained. The library ended up becoming an ARC – Academic Research Centre/Academic Resource Centre (they couldn’t make up their mind about the exact title), the librarian and library technician positions were made redundant…
Fortunately the rewards were many, including the gratification you experience when you’ve helped a student navigate a database for the first time, and they are successful in finding the elusive article that they need for their assignment, when a student comes and thanks you for recommending a novel and they loved it, sourcing resources for teachers that have tried and failed to find them. I have also had the good fortune to meet many dedicated educators and witness the caring and hard work that goes into teaching.
What is a point of difference about your service?
I genuinely loved working with students, building rapport and helping them with their information needs, being a part of their education journey and seeing their achievements.
Being friendly and welcoming to staff and students, always willing to help whenever needed and becoming involved in the life of the school.
What career strategies and skills are important for a successful LIS career?
Be open to the different paths that you may be offered, join ALIA and become involved by joining your local group, never be afraid to put your hand up to help, this is a great way to learn new skills and build on current skills. Attend as many conferences and seminars as you can, present if possible, and meet others in your sector. Be reflective and self-seeking in your Professional Development and network, network, network.
And finally, tell us about the ‘view from your desk’.
The view from my little drop-down desk at home when I look up is of a print by Tasmanian artist Mandy Renard, ‘Secret’ and when I turn and look across the room, I see another work by Mandy Renard ‘Ex Libris’, the dress in this print is the façade of the Victorian State Library. They give me much joy.
ALIA Island 