This month we welcome Anita Gill, Digital Resource Coordinator/Library Manager, Fr John Wall Community Library (Catholic Education Tasmania) as our guest blogger.
Where and how did you start your LIS career?
I started working as a Catholic primary school Teacher/Library Assistant in 2004 in Western Australia. It was in that role that I was inspired to start formal study in Library and Information Science, and I completed the Curtin University Undergraduate Degree in Librarianship & Corporate Information Management when I moved to Tasmania in 2010. In 2011 I landed my first full time professional Librarian role at Guilford Young College, the senior Catholic College in Hobart with two campuses.
Does your role in the LIS field match what you expected before starting out?
No, I don’t think so. My expectations and roles have definitely evolved over the years. Working in a primary school library environment was very, very different to working in a senior school library environment for example. I certainly never imagined I’d end up as a special/theological librarian. I had thought to move more into the archives and museum sector. I finished my Master Degree in History a few years before I won my current role as Librarian at the Fr John Wall Community Library, which is the central resource centre for Catholic Education Tasmania, and the pastoral lending library for the Archdiocese of Hobart more broadly.
What are the key issues you face in your role? What are the rewards?
Key issues I face in my role are probably promotion and community engagement. This is easier to do within our school communities but harder to do with the church parish communities. It’s quite a big state for one library to service. There are 38 Catholic schools and 27 Catholic Parishes, as well as a large number of Catholic agencies, including Aged care etc. I am also responsible for a rare book collection (including a Latin Vulgate Bible from 1477) that receives far less of my attention than it deserves due to time constraints.
The rewards far outweigh any issues though. First and foremost, I work with a great team of people who support the teaching of the Catholic Religious Education curriculum throughout the state and are the biggest promoters and supporters of our library service.
I have a large and loyal customer base who regularly use the library in person or online. I provide regular Storytime for the local Catholic Care children’s service who are always a joy to read to. My work is also quite varied, as aside from religious/theological resources I manage the resources our organisation collects for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Education, English as an additional language, STEM Science kits, Student Support, Early Years and General Teaching & Learning.
I also get asked the most interesting questions on a regular basis (including anonymous phone calls from someone who wants theological related crossword puzzle answers).
What is a point of difference about your service?
Offering resources in a specialised field like Theology. After 4 years I’m still learning about the major players and themes in Catholic history (even after attending and working in Catholic schools most of my life) and it never ceases to amaze me how many new resources come out in this space on a daily basis. Catering to a wide range of Catholic/Christian beliefs and interests certainly keeps me on my toes.
What career strategies and skills are important for a successful LIS career?
I would say that remaining flexible and always looking for opportunities for innovation and improvement of your service is key. It is important to keep upskilling to remain relevant and adaptable. Networking with colleagues and other LIS Professionals is also invaluable for building relationships and career opportunities.
And finally, tell us about the ‘view from your desk’.
This is the literal view from my desk, which looks out into the small library entrance foyer. Here you can see a small tea/coffee station we keep stocked for meetings/events. A display area for topical resources. Also, a painting of our namesake and generous benefactor, Fr John Wall (1937-2004).